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Publication Number
US-12708775-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A stimulation scheduling system includes a control signal generator and a controller, which can form a control loop configured to generate sets of consistent pulse schedules with a controlled degree of difficulty. The control signal generator can generate a set of consistent pulse schedules using a set of corresponding stimulation parameter distributions and provide a detection parameter based on the generation of the set of consistent pulse schedules to a controller. The controller can estimate a difficulty state based on the detection parameter and update the stimulation parameter distributions based on the estimated difficulty state. The controller can model the difficulty of generating sets of consistent pulse schedules using a difficulty distribution. The difficulty state can be a parameter of the difficulty distribution. The controller can balance the difficulty of generating sets of consistent pulse schedules against the fidelity of the generated sets of pulse schedules.
Core Innovation
The invention describes stochastic stimulation scheduling in which stimulation parameter distributions are used to generate consistent pulse schedules across stimulation channels. Detection parameters based on schedule generation support estimation of a difficulty state, which is used to update the distributions. The scheduling approach balances collision avoidance against fidelity to specified stimulation parameters and accommodates changes to stimulation channels and parameters.
The scheduling approach addresses pulse overlap and avoids overlap without pre-calculation, phase locking, or pulse skipping across channels. It provides consistent stimulation generation while adapting to modifications in stimulation channels and operating parameters.
Claims Coverage
The three independent claims cover three inventive features: a stimulation scheduling system that updates parameter distributions using estimated difficulty, an implantable pulse generator that targets schedule-generation difficulty by updating distributions, and a scheduling method that compares pulse schedules and provides a control signal based on the consistency result.
Difficulty-based distribution updates
The system generates consistent pulse schedules according to stimulation parameter distributions having expected values and spreads, provides a detection parameter based on schedule generation, estimates a difficulty state, and updates the distributions based on that state.
Implantable pulse generator targeting schedule-generation difficulty
The implantable pulse generator targets a degree of difficulty in generating consistent pulse schedules for a set of stimulation channels by updating the stimulation parameter distributions used to generate schedules and provide stimulation.
Schedule comparison and consistency-based control signal
The method samples a stimulation parameter distribution for a first stimulation channel, generates a first pulse schedule, compares it to a second channel's pulse schedule, and provides a stimulator control signal based on the consistency result.
The independent claims cover distribution updates guided by schedule-generation difficulty and a method that uses a comparison consistency result to determine the stimulation control signal.
Stated Advantages
Avoids pulse overlap without pre-calculation, phase locking, or pulse skipping.
Accommodates changes to stimulation channels and parameters.
Balances collision avoidance against fidelity to specified stimulation parameters.
Documented Applications
Stimulation scheduling for neuromodulation and neurostimulation systems, including systems using an implantable pulse generator and a set of stimulation channels.
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