Waveform shapes for treating neurological disorders optimized for energy efficiency

Abstract

Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue apply a stimulation waveform that is derived by a developed genetic algorithm (GA), which may be coupled to a computational model of extracellular stimulation of a mammalian myelinated axon. The waveform is optimized for energy efficiency.

Having thus described the invention, we claim: 
     
         1 . A stimulation waveform for application to targeted neurological tissue, the waveform being selected from a set of waveforms consisting essentially of Gaussian curves having varying pulse widths and derived by a prescribed genetic algorithm (GA) coupled to a computational model of extracellular stimulation of a mammalian myelinated axon, wherein the set of stimulus waveforms are optimized for energy efficiency. 
     
     
         2 . The waveform according to  claim 1  wherein the waveform is monophasic. 
     
     
         3 . The waveform according to  claim 1  wherein the waveform is biphasic. 
     
     
         4 . A system for creating a stimulation waveform optimized for energy efficiency comprising:
 a population of parent stimulation waveforms;   a genetic algorithm (GA) for generating a population of offspring stimulation waveforms by mating the population of parent stimulation waveforms,   a computational model of extracellular stimulation of a mammalian myelinated axon, being operative for assessing the fitness of individual offspring stimulation waveforms generated by the genetic algorithm in terms of energy efficiency and selecting as a new population of the parent stimulation waveforms the current offspring stimulation waveforms having the highest energy efficiency values, the selection terminating when predetermined termination criteria is met.   
     
     
         5 . A system for neurological tissue stimulation comprising:
 a lead sized and configured for implantation in a targeted tissue stimulation region with a brain of a patient, and   a pulse generator coupled to the lead, the pulse generator including a power source comprising a battery and a microprocessor coupled to the battery and being operable to apply to the lead a stimulation waveform derived through use of a global optimization algorithm.