Systems and methods for positioning implanted devices in a patient

Abstract

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 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A computer readable medium for use with a patient, having instructions that, when executed:
 receive locator signal information from an array of external signal detector elements placed on the patient, the locator signal information emitted by a signal delivery system placed within the patient and detected by the array of external signal detector elements, wherein the array of external signal detector elements are arranged to define a plane; and   transmit the locator signal information to an array of display elements such that individual display elements display data based on the received locator signal information, wherein individual signal detector elements and the corresponding individual display elements are co-located to have the same coordinates in the plane.   
     
     
         63 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 62  having instructions that, when executed:
 compare a first length of the signal delivery system based on information received from the external signal detector elements and corresponding to a projected length of the signal delivery system in a plane of the external signal detector elements, with a second length of the signal delivery system based on information received from the insertion tracker; and 
 provide an indication when the first and second lengths differ by at least a threshold amount. 
 
     
     
         64 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 62  having instructions that, when executed:
 direct the display elements to provide an indication of a signal strength detected at the external signal detector elements, wherein the display elements are operatively coupled to the external signal detector elements. 
 
     
     
         65 . The computer readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the signal delivery system further comprises an insertion tracker operably coupleable to the signal delivery system and configured to track a length of the signal delivery system placed within the patient. 
     
     
         66 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the locator signal information includes a radio frequency (RF) signal. 
     
     
         67 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 66  wherein the radio frequency (RF) signal is at a frequency from about 10 kHz to about 30 GHz. 
     
     
         68 . The computer readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the signal delivery system further comprises signal transmission device configured to transmit the locator signal information. 
     
     
         69 . The computer readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the locator signal information is transmitted by magnetic fields and detected by the signal detector elements. 
     
     
         70 . A method for configuring a computer readable medium for use with a patient, comprising:
 programming the computer readable medium to:
 receive locator signal information from an array of external signal detector elements placed on the patient, the locator signal information emitted by a signal delivery system placed within the patient and detected by the array of external signal detector elements, wherein the array of external signal detector elements are arranged to define a plane; and 
 transmit the locator signal information to an array of display elements such that individual display elements display data based on the received locator signal information, wherein individual signal detector elements and the corresponding individual display elements are co-located to have the same coordinates in the plane. 
   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the computer readable medium is programmed to:
 compare a first length of the signal delivery system based on information received from the external signal detector elements and corresponding to a projected length of the signal delivery system in a plane of the external signal detector elements, with a second length of the signal delivery system based on information received from the insertion tracker; and 
 provide an indication when the first and second lengths differ by at least a threshold amount. 
 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the computer readable medium is programmed to:
 instruct the display elements to provide an indication of a signal strength detected at the external signal detector elements, wherein the display elements are operatively coupled to the external signal detector elements. 
 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the signal delivery system further comprises an insertion tracker operably coupleable to the signal delivery system and configured to track a length of the signal delivery system placed within the patient. 
     
     
         74 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 70  wherein the locator signal information includes a radio frequency (RF) signal. 
     
     
         75 . The computer readable medium of  claim 70  wherein the signal delivery system further comprises signal transmission device configured to transmit the locator signal information.