James R Thacker

US Patent:

6993384, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/310202

Inventors:

Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 2

Abstract:

Interelectrode impedance or electric field potential measurements are used to determine the relative orientation of one lead to other leads in the spinal column or other body/tissue location. Interelectrode impedance is determined by measuring impedance vectors. The value of the impedance vector is due primarily to the electrode-electrolyte interface, and the bulk impedance between the electrodes. The bulk impedance between the electrodes is, in turn, made up of (1) the impedance of the tissue adjacent to the electrodes, and (2) the impedance of the tissue between the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention makes both monopolar and bipolar impedance measurements, and then corrects the bipolar impedance measurements using the monopolar measurements to eliminate the effect of the impedance of the tissue adjacent the electrodes. The orientation and position of the leads may be inferred from the relative minima of the corrected bipolar impedance values. These corrected impedance values may also be mapped and stored to facilitate a comparison with subsequent corrected impedance measurement values.

US Patent:

7177690, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Jan 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/356414

Inventors:

Carla Mann Woods - Los Angeles CA, US
James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US
David K. L Peterson - Saugus CA, US

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/378

US Classification:

607 29, 607 33, 607 61

Abstract:

A system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e. g. , low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bi-directional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.

US Patent:

7317948, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Feb 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/364436

Inventors:

John D H King - Sherman Oaks CA, US
James R Thacker - Eureka MO, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Maple Grove MN

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 62, 607 8, 607 11, 607 27, 600547

Abstract:

A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude (stimulation energy) in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Because the changes in impedance associated with the electrode-tissue interface can indicate obstruction of current flow and positional lead displacement, lead impedance can indicate the quantity of electrical stimulation energy that should be delivered to the target neural tissue to provide corrective adjustment. Hence, a change in impedance or morphology of an impedance curve may be used in a feedback loop to indicate that the stimulation energy needs to be adjusted and the system can effectively auto correct the magnitude of stimulation energy to maintain a desired therapeutic effect.

US Patent:

7684869, Mar 23, 2010

Filed:

Jan 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/342989

Inventors:

Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valenica CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 62, 607117

Abstract:

Interelectrode impedance or electric field potential measurements are used to determine the relative orientation of one lead to other leads in the spinal column or other body/tissue location. Interelectrode impedance is determined by measuring impedance vectors. The value of the impedance vector is due primarily to the electrode-electrolyte interface, and the bulk impedance between the electrodes. The bulk impedance between the electrodes is, in turn, made up of (1) the impedance of the tissue adjacent to the electrodes, and (2) the impedance of the tissue between the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention makes both monopolar and bipolar impedance measurements, and then corrects the bipolar impedance measurements using the monopolar measurements to eliminate the effect of the impedance of the tissue adjacent the electrodes. The orientation and position of the leads may be inferred from the relative minima of the corrected bipolar impedance values. These corrected impedance values may also be mapped and stored to facilitate a comparison with subsequent corrected impedance measurement values.

US Patent:

7742823, Jun 22, 2010

Filed:

May 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/746748

Inventors:

John D. H. King - Sherman Oaks CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/08

US Classification:

607 62, 607 8, 607 11, 607 27, 600547

Abstract:

A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude (stimulation energy) in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Because the changes in impedance associated with the electrode-tissue interface can indicate obstruction of current flow and positional lead displacement, lead impedance can indicate the quantity of electrical stimulation energy that should be delivered to the target neural tissue to provide corrective adjustment. Hence, a change in impedance or morphology of an impedance curve may be used in a feedback loop to indicate that the stimulation energy needs to be adjusted and the system can effectively auto correct the magnitude of stimulation energy to maintain a desired therapeutic effect.

US Patent:

7853330, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Nov 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/938490

Inventors:

Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US
James Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Michael Moffitt - Valencia CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607 62, 607 2, 607117

Abstract:

A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has occurred, and analyzing the change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes to determine whether a change in the relative position of the electrodes has occurred. Another method comprises measuring a first monopolar impedance between a first electrode and a reference electrode, measuring a second monopolar impedance between second electrode and the reference electrode, measuring a bipolar impedance between the first and second electrodes, and estimating an amplitude of a field potential at the second electrode based on the first and second monopolar impedances and the bipolar impedance.

US Patent:

7881805, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Dec 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/026859

Inventors:

Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Carla M. Woods - Beverly Hills CA, US
John D. King - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/04

US Classification:

607117, 607118, 607 30, 607 60, 128920

Abstract:

A method for transitioning electrical energy in steps between electrodes implanted within a patient to stimulate tissue (e. g. , spinal cord tissue) is provided. The method comprises determining a maximum comfortable step size, determining a minimum step size, selecting one or more step sizes between the maximum comfortable step size and the minimize step size, and transitioning the electrical energy between the electrodes using the selected one or more step sizes.

US Patent:

8065013, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

May 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/746405

Inventors:

Kerry Bradley - Glendale CA, US
James R. Thacker - Eureka MO, US
Carla M. Woods - Beverly Hills CA, US
John D. King - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/34

US Classification:

607 46, 607 7, 607 11, 607 48

Abstract:

A method of transitioning stimulation energy (e. g. , electrical stimulation pulses) between a plurality of electrodes implanted within a patient is provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of stimulation output values (e. g. , electrical current amplitude values) for each of the electrodes. The method further comprises selecting a plurality of different modification values for at least one of the electrodes, respectively multiplying the stimulation output values and the modification values to determine modified stimulation output values for the electrode(s), which may optionally be stored in a steering table, and incrementally transitioning the stimulation energy to or from the electrode(s) in accordance with the modified stimulation output values. The modified stimulation output values are stored in a steering table. The modification values may be selected in a manner that maintains paresthesia when transitioning the stimulation energy between the electrodes.