Linked area parameter adjustment for spinal cord stimulation and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing pain in a patient using an electrical waveform that link the modulation of a waveform parameter for different areas of a patient. One embodiment in a system for managing pain in a patient comprises an electric device configured to be implanted into the patient and including a plurality of electrodes having at least a first electrode associated with a first area of the patient and a second electrode associated with a second area of the patient. The system further includes an implantable device configured to be coupled to the electrode device and having a computer-operable medium programmed to change the waveform parameter applied to the first electrode and automatically set the waveform parameter applied to the second electrode based on a relationship between a first therapy range and a second therapy range of the waveform parameter.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A system for treating a patient, comprising:
 a signal generator coupleable to an implantable signal delivery device having a first electrode positionable at a first area of the patient and a second electrode positionable at a second area of the patient, the signal generator being programmed with instructions that, when executed:
 generate a waveform having at least one waveform parameter, the waveform parameter having a first range corresponding to the first area and a second range corresponding to the second area; 
 receive an instruction to change the at least one waveform parameter for application to the first electrode; and 
 automatically set the waveform parameter for application to the second electrode based on a relationship between the first range and the second range. 
   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the signal generator is implantable. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the signal generator is an external signal generator. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 46 , further comprising a power supply operatively coupled to the signal generator. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the power supply includes an implantable power supply. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the power supply includes an external power supply. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 46 , further comprising the implantable signal delivery device. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the implantable signal delivery device includes a lead. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the lead includes a lead body, and wherein the first and second electrodes are carried by the lead body. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the signal delivery device includes a paddle. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the signal generator is programmed to limit the waveform parameter applied to the first electrode to be within the first range and to limit the waveform parameter applied to the second electrode to be within the second range. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the waveform parameter includes an amplitude of the waveform. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the relationship between the first range and the second range comprises a ratio between the first range and the second range. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the first range is between (a) a sensation threshold and/or a therapeutic threshold for the first area, and (b) a discomfort threshold for the first area; and   the second range is between (a) a sensation threshold and/or a therapeutic threshold for the second area, and (b) a discomfort threshold for the second area.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the waveform parameter includes an amplitude of the waveform. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the signal generator is programmed to set the second waveform parameter applied to the second electrode independently of the first range, in response to receiving an input corresponding to an indication that the first area of the patient is not linked to the second area of the patient. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the signal generator is programmed to decouple control of the waveform parameter applied to the first and second electrodes when the waveform parameter exceeds a maximum value for one of the first or second areas. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the electrode device includes at least one additional electrode positionable at an additional area of the patient having an additional range for the waveform parameter, and wherein the signal generator is further programmed to set the waveform parameter applied to the additional electrode based on a ratio between (a) the additional range and (b) the first range and/or the second range. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the signal generator is programmed to change the at least one waveform parameter applied to the first electrode in response to receiving the instruction to change. 
     
     
         65 . A system for treating a patient, comprising:
 a signal generator coupleable to an implantable signal delivery device having a first electrode positionable at a first area of the patient and a second electrode positionable at a second area of the patient, the signal generator having a machine-readable medium programmed with instructions that, when executed:
 generate a waveform having at least one waveform parameter, the waveform parameter having a first range corresponding to the first area and a second range corresponding to the second area; 
 receive an instruction to change the at least one waveform parameter for application to the first electrode; and 
 automatically set the waveform parameter for application to the second electrode based on a relationship between the first range and the second range. 
   
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the signal generator is implantable. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the signal generator is an external signal generator. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 65 , further comprising a power supply operatively coupled to the signal generator. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the power supply includes an implantable power supply. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the power supply includes an external power supply. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the relationship between the first range and the second range comprises a ratio between the first range and the second range. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein:
 the first range is between (a) a sensation threshold and/or a therapeutic threshold for the first area, and (b) a discomfort threshold for the first area; and   the second range is between (a) a sensation threshold and/or a therapeutic threshold for the second area, and (b) a discomfort threshold for the second area.   
     
     
         73 . A system for treating a patient, comprising:
 a signal generator coupleable to an implantable signal delivery device having a first electrode positionable at a first area of the patient and a second electrode positionable at a second area of the patient, the signal generator having a machine-readable medium programmed with instructions that, when executed:
 generate a waveform having an amplitude, the amplitude having a first range corresponding to the first area and a second range corresponding to the second area; 
 receive an instruction to change a first amplitude value for application to the first electrode; and 
 automatically set a second amplitude value for application to the second electrode based on a ratio between the first range and the second range. 
   
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the signal generator is implantable. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the signal generator is an external signal generator. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 73 , further comprising a power supply operatively coupled to the signal generator. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the power supply includes an implantable power supply. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the power supply includes an external power supply. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein:
 the first range is between (a) a sensation threshold and/or a therapeutic threshold for the first area, and (b) a discomfort threshold for the first area; and   the second range is between (a) a sensation threshold and/or a therapeutic threshold for the second area, and (b) a discomfort threshold for the second area.