Determining estimated neural threshold with ECAP signals

Systems, devices, and techniques are described for analyzing evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals to determine an estimated neural threshold of a patient. In one example, a method includes controlling, by processing circuitry, delivery of a plurality of stimulation pulses to a patient, wherein each stimulation pulse of the plurality of stimulation pulses is at least partially defined by a different respective value of a stimulation parameter; receiving, by the processing circuitry, ECAP signal information, wherein the ECAP signal information comprises ECAP signals sensed by sensing circuitry and elicited by the plurality of stimulation pulses; determining, by the processing circuitry and based on the ECAP signal information, ECAP characteristic values for each of the ECAP signals elicited by the plurality' of stimulation pulses; and determining, by the processing circuitry and based on the ECAP characteristic values, an estimated neural threshold of the patient.

The abstract as published by the patent office, from US20240293676A1. It describes the invention; it is not a statement of what is protected.

• Interface and electrodes

  Electrodes and arrays · Peripheral interfaces

• Packaging

  Packaging and hermeticity

• Telemetry

  Wireless telemetry

• Stimulation

  Stimulation

What the filing appears to be about, read by published rules from its title, abstract and classification codes (A61N1/0531, A61N1/0534, A61N1/0553, A61N1/0556, A61N1/36062). The claims define what a patent protects, and they are not read here.

Interface and electrodes

Everything downstream works with what the contacts pick up. Their number, size and distance from the neurons set the ceiling on the signal. The problem behind it: more contacts, closer to neurons, that still record after years in tissue that reacts to them.

Packaging

Body fluid destroys unprotected electronics. An implant meant to last has to stay sealed for years while passing every channel through its wall. The problem behind it: a seal that lasts as long as the patient needs it, at a size that leaves room for the channels.

Telemetry

Thousands of channels produce more data than a low-power radio can carry raw, so what is sent, and how, decides what the system can use. The problem behind it: high data rates at low power through tissue, reliably and securely.

Why the layer matters to the field, not a judgement of this filing. A patent family shows that protection was sought. It does not show that the technology was built, is used in a product, or works in people. The whole stack

One invention, published 6 times in 5 offices. Each publication opens in Espacenet.

• International (PCT)a route to several countries, not a countryWO2022150638A114 Jul 2022
• AustraliaAU2022205971A124 Aug 2023
• ChinaCN116710175A5 Sep 2023
• European Patent Officea route to several countries, not a countryEP4274656A115 Nov 2023
• United StatesUS20240293676A15 Sep 2024US12702837B211 Aug 2026 · grant

1. 8 Jan 2021First filingEarliest priority, at United States. The family is counted in this year.
2. 7 Jan 2022ApplicationsFiled at International (PCT), Australia, China, European Patent Office, United States.
3. 14 Jul 2022First publicationWO2022150638A1, International (PCT).
4. 28 Sep 2023Owner recordedUnited States, on US20240293676A1: assignment; owner named: MEDTRONIC, INC., MINNESOTA.
5. 11 Aug 2026Grant publishedUS12702837B2, United States.

Dates as the offices published them. Office records are in the offices' own words and are a selection: refusals, lapses and withdrawals, and records that name an owner. Each concerns one member of the family, not the family as a whole, and another member in the same office may stand. Whether a patent is in force today is not assessed.

Organisation

Medtronic · 40 families identified

• Bibliographic data, family members and office records: European Patent Office, Open Patent Services (the DOCDB and INPADOC databases), read 7 Oct 2026.
• The record itself, with its claims and description: US20240293676A1 in Espacenet
• Counted as a BCI patent family: classified A61N1/0531 (brain cortex electrodes); filed by Medtronic, Inc., an organisation already in the graph; describes neural hardware or methods without naming the field. How families are found and judged