Systems and methods for deploying patient therapy devices
Methods for identifying responders to paresthesia-free stimulation therapy, and associated systems are disclosed. A representative method comprises implanting a pair of spinal cord signal delivery devices and connecting an external signal generator thereto. A plurality of the electrical contacts are simultaneously activated with a high frequency signal without causing paresthesia in the patient, wherein the electrical contacts would cause paresthesia in the patient if activated with a low frequency signal. The high frequency signal is in a range of from about 3 kHz to about 20 kHz and an amplitude of less than 4 mA. If the patient responds favorably, a signal generator is implanted in the patient. A second high frequency signal is then applied to fewer than the plurality of electrical contacts.
1. A method for deploying a patient therapy system, comprising:
implanting in a patient at least one spinal cord signal delivery device, having at least eight electrical contacts;
connecting a signal generator to the at least one spinal cord signal delivery device;
monitoring an impedance of each individual contact of the at least eight electrical contacts;
grouping the individual contacts into a first group and a second group based on the impedance of the individual contacts, wherein the first group and the second group each include at least one anode and at least one cathode;
simultaneously activating the first group with a non-paresthesia-producing signal using a first current source for a duration of approximately 20 minutes or more, the signal having a frequency of from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz; and
simultaneously activating the second group with a signal using a second current source.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing a contact from the first group if the contact's impedance is outside a selected range.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising including the contact in the second group.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring an overall impedance of the first group;
providing a compensation current to compensate for changes in the overall impedance of the first group;
identifying a high impedance contact from the first group; and
removing the high impedance contact from the first group if the compensation current exceeds a threshold current level.
5. A spinal cord stimulation system, comprising:
at least one spinal cord signal delivery device implantable in a patient and having at least eight electrical contacts;
a signal generator connectable to the at least one spinal cord signal delivery device, wherein the signal generator includes a first current source, a second current source, and instructions that, when executed, cause the signal generator to:
monitor an impedance of each individual contact of the at least eight electrical contacts;
group the individual contacts into a first group and a second group based on the impedance of the individual contacts, wherein the first group and the second group each include at least one anode and at least one cathode;
simultaneously activate the first group with a non-paresthesia-producing signal using a first current source for a duration of approximately 20 minutes or more, the signal having a frequency of from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz; and
simultaneously activate the second group with a signal using the second current source.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the signal generator further comprises instructions to remove a contact from the first group if the contact's impedance is outside a selected range.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the signal generator further comprises instructions to include the contact in the second group.
8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the signal generator further comprises instructions to:
monitor an overall impedance of the first group;
provide a compensation current to compensate for changes in the overall impedance of the first group;
identify a high impedance contact from the first group; and
remove the high impedance contact from the first group if the compensation current exceeds a threshold current level.