Apparatus and method for determining the relative position and orientation of neurostimulation leads
US6993384B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/053
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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. Such comparison allows a determination to be made as to whether the lead posi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.