Bryan K Howell

US Patent:

20180104479, Apr 19, 2018

Filed:

Dec 18, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/845127

Inventors:

- Durham NC, US
Bryan Howell - Durham NC, US
Shivanand P. Lad - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

A61N 1/05
A61N 1/36

Abstract:

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for optimizing patient-specific stimulation parameters for spinal cord stimulation. A patient-specific anatomical model is developed based on a pre-operative image, and a patient-specific electrical model is developed based on the anatomical model. The inputs to the electric model are chosen, and the model is used to calculate a distribution of electrical potentials within the modeled domain. Models of neural elements are stimulated with the electric potentials and used to determine which elements are directly activated by the stimulus. Information about the models inputs and which neural elements are active is applied to a cost function. Based on the value of the cost function, the inputs to the optimization process may be adjusted. Inputs to the optimization process include lead/electrode array geometry, lead configuration, lead positions, and lead signal characteristics, such as pulse width, amplitude, frequency and polarity.

US Patent:

20170161454, Jun 8, 2017

Filed:

Jul 1, 2015

Appl. No.:

15/321801

Inventors:

Bryan HOWELL - Durham NC, US
- Durham NC, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
A61N 1/372
A61N 1/36
G06F 17/13
A61N 1/05

Abstract:

Systems and methods for model-based optimization of spinal cord stimulation electrodes and devices are disclosed. According to an aspect a method includes providing a patient-specific electroanatomical model including the spine, spinal cord, and a map of target neural elements and non-target neural elements. The method also includes using model electrodes to stimulate the target neural elements. Further, the method includes determining differences in activation thresholds between the target neural elements and the non-target neural elements in a plurality of different configurations of the model electrodes. The method also includes generating an optimal spinal cord stimulation electrode configuration based on the determined differences in activation thresholds.