Method and apparatus for determining relative positioning between neurostimulation leads

摘要

A method and medical system for operating two leads disposed adjacent tissue of a patient are provided. A first one of a pair of electrodes respectively carried by the two leads is activated to generate an electrical field within the tissue. An electrical parameter in response to the generated electrical field is measured at a second one of the pair of electrodes. A reference electrical parameter is measured in response to the generated electrical field at a reference electrode carried by the same one of the two leads that carries the first electrode. A reference distance between the first electrode and the reference electrode is known prior to the generation of the electrical field. The ratio between the measured electrical parameter and the measured reference electrical parameter is computed, and the distance between the pair of electrodes is computed as a function of the computed ratio and the reference distance.

主权项

1. A medical system for use with first and second leads configured for being placed adjacent tissue of a patient, the medical system comprising:
a controller configured for activating a first electrode carried by the first lead to generate an electrical field within the tissue; monitoring circuitry configured for measuring an electrical parameter in response to the generated electrical field at a second electrode carried by the second lead, and measuring a reference electrical parameter in response to the generated electrical field at a reference electrode carried by the first lead, wherein a reference distance between the first electrode and the reference electrode is known prior to generation of the electrical field; and at least one processor configured for computing a ratio between the measured electrical parameter and the measured reference electrical parameter, and computing a distance between the first and second electrodes as a function of the computed ratio and the reference distance.