Systems and methods for positioning implanted devices in a patient
Systems and methods for positioning implanted devices in a patient are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes, for each of a plurality of patients, receiving a target location from which to deliver a modulation signal to the patient's spinal cord. The method further includes implanting a signal delivery device within a vertebral foramen of each patient, and positioning an electrical contact carried by the signal delivery device to be within ±5 mm. of the target location, without the use of fluoroscopy. The method can still further include, for each of the plurality of patients, activating the electrical contact to modulate neural activity at the spinal cord. In further particular embodiments, RF signals, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and/or other techniques are used to locate the signal delivery device.
1. A patient treatment system, comprising:
a signal delivery system that includes a patient-implantable signal delivery device coupleable to a signal generator that generates and delivers a neural modulation therapy signal having therapy signal parameters including a frequency in a frequency range, a pulse width in a pulse width range, and an amplitude in an amplitude range; and
an array of external signal detector elements and display elements that is movable relative to the signal delivery device, the external signal detector elements being configured to wirelessly detect signals having the therapy signal parameters delivered by the signal delivery device through the patient's skin, the display elements being operatively coupled to the signal detector elements to display data based on information provided by the detector elements.
2. The treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising the signal generator, wherein the signal generator is coupleable to a power source to generate the therapy signal.
3. The treatment system of claim 2 , further comprising the power source, wherein the power source transmits power to the signal generator using electromagnetic induction.
4. The treatment system of claim 2 , further comprising the power source, wherein the power source includes an external coil that communicates with an internal coil within the signal generator.
5. The treatment system of claim 2 , further comprising the power source, wherein the power source is portable.
6. The treatment system of claim 1 wherein an individual display element is co-located with a corresponding individual external signal detector element to present an indication of a signal strength detected at the corresponding external signal detector element.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed, interpolate results obtained from the plurality of signal detector elements to identify an estimated position of the signal delivery device.
8. The treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising an insertion tracker operably coupleable to the signal delivery system to track a length of the signal delivery system inserted into the patient.
9. The treatment system of claim 8 wherein the insertion tracker includes an electromechanical device that is releasably engageable with the signal delivery system.
10. The treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed, generate and transmit the neural modulation therapy signal.
11. The treatment system of claim 1 wherein the array has at least one releasable fixation element positioned to releasably secure the array to the patient's skin.
12. The treatment system of claim 1 wherein the array is carried by a flexible, conformable support member.
13. The treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising the signal generator, wherein the signal generator includes a pulse generator.
14. The treatment system of claim 1 wherein the frequency range is from about 3 kHz to about 50 kHz.
15. The treatment system of claim 1 wherein the signal delivery device includes a lead having an axial opening.
16. The treatment system of claim 15 wherein a therapy contact is positioned toward a distal end of the lead.
17. A method for treating a patient, comprising:
emitting a signal from a therapy signal delivery system positioned beneath a patient's skin, the signal delivery system including a signal delivery device having at least one electrical contact, wherein:
the signal delivery device is coupled to a signal generator that generates the signal, and
the signal has therapy signal parameters including a frequency in a frequency range, a pulse width in a pulse width range, and an amplitude in a amplitude range;
wirelessly detecting the signal from external to the patient via an array of moveable signal detector elements; and
presenting display data at an array of display elements, based on information provided by the array of signal detector elements.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein emitting the signal includes directing the signal to treat pain in the patient.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein emitting the signal includes emitting the signal from the signal delivery device.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein individual signal detector elements receive corresponding individual indications of the strength of the signal.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the array of signal detector elements is releasably carried by the patient.
22. The method of claim 17 , further comprising releasably attaching the array of signal detector elements to the patient's skin.
23. The method of claim 17 , further comprising detecting a location of the signal delivery device based at least in part on detecting the signal.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein detecting the location includes detecting a lateral location and a rostral/caudal location.
25. The method of claim 23 wherein detecting the location includes detecting a dorsal/ventral location.
26. The method of claim 17 wherein the frequency range is from about 3 kHz to about 50 kHz.
27. The method of claim 17 wherein presenting display data is performed during a process for implanting the signal delivery device.