WO2022214194A1

WO2022214194A1 - Method and device for providing a control program for a medical treatment device

Info

Publication number: WO2022214194A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/059298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Vancraeyenest; Cosmin Damian IONESCU
Original assignee: Azyro Sa
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2021-04-09
Publication date: 2022-10-13
Also published as: DE212021000558U1

Abstract

Provided is a computer-implemented method for providing a control program to a medical treatment device (100), the medical device (100) comprising a number of channel- controlled actuators (130A-130N) configured to provide electrically induced treatment to a subject. The method comprises obtaining, via a user interface (150), first input data including an instruction establishing one actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); obtaining, via the user interface (150), a number of second input data, each including an instruction defining at least one time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) assigned to the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) and assigning a set of signal parameters to the time slot (113A, 113B, 113C), the set of signal parameters being configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); and generating, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N), the control program being configured to control, via the established actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C), the medical treatment device (100) to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the one or more driver signals.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A CONTROL PROGRAM FOR A MEDICAL

TREATMENT DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for providing a control program to a medical treatment device. Further, the present invention relates to a device for providing a control program to a medical treatment device, and to a computer program element configured, when executed, to perform the above method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In medical engineering, it is known that in a living organism, such as a human or animal body, etc., some biological processes are known to be linked to electricity. For example, the functional basis of sensory, nerve and muscle cells is based on the generation, transmission and processing of electrical impulses containing information. By way of example, the beating of the heart is triggered by electrical impulses, the control of muscles occurs through electrical signals, and when thinking, brain currents flow more, etc. Thereby, e.g. a blood vessel may act as a transmission line to conduct electricity.

Further, it has been found that electrical models can also be formed to tissue, bone, nerve, proteins, etc. Thereby, for example, proteins may act as a semi-conductor, tissues and bones may act as crystalline arrays, nerves and muscles may conduct electromagnetically signals, etc. Also at cell level, due to given permeability and transport properties of a cell membrane, an uneven ion distribution and thus charge distribution between a cell interior and surrounding media is maintained, resulting in a membrane potential. In this regard, it has been found that the cell membrane may be described by an electrical model, in which the cell membrane model includes various ionic conductance and electromotive forces in parallel with a capacitor.

Since diseases, particularly if they are triggered by pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, etc., in the human or animal body are based at least in part on the above structures, such as proteins, DNA, cells, etc., and/or electrical mechanisms, such as model able electrical behavior, they are likely to be subject to influence them by electrical processes.

Technically, however, it is a challenge to treat a living organism and/or a disease electrically in a reliable way, as the requirements for the electrical process are high, such as providing a precisely controllable electric current at a desired frequency and/or level, providing a desired voltage level, or the like. In addition, it can be helpful to provide a wide range of e.g. frequencies, amplitudes, etc. of the electric current, which requires appropriate control of a corresponding device. This makes a control program for controlling the device complex to create and/or due to the amount of data during its execution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There may, therefore, be a need for improved means for providing a control program to a medical treatment device. The object of the present invention is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method for providing a control program to a medical treatment device. Thereby, the medical device comprises a number of channel-controlled actuators configured to provide electrically induced treatment to a subject. The method comprises: obtaining, via a user interface, first input data including an instruction establishing one actuator channel assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators; obtaining, via the user interface, a number of second input data, each including an instruction defining one time slot assigned to the actuator channel and assigning a set of signal parameters to the time slot, the set of signal parameters being configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators; and generating, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators, the control program being configured to control, via the established actuator channel, the medical treatment device to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the one or more driver signals.

In this way, the method allows to control the medical treatment device channel-by- channel. Thereby, the number of actuator channels can be controlled separately from each other, allowing to provide a wide spectrum of electrically induced treatment to a subject.

Using the concept of time slots allows the treatment to be controlled precisely in a time- related manner. Further, using only signal parameters instead of full samples to define an electric signal to be provided to each one of the number of actuator channels allows the data amount processed to generate the electric signal to be reduced.

For example, the medical treatment device comprises one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more, actuator channels, wherein each one of the number of actuator channels may be used to treat the same subject, e.g. in an alternating, a simultaneous, separate, or the like, manner. Further, the number of actuator channels of the medical treatment device may be of a same type, or may be different to each other, or group wise be different to each other, etc. Each one of the number of actuators may be assigned to exact one of the numbers of actuator channels, or vice versa. Further, each one of the number of actuator channels and/or actuators may be configured to generate an electric signal configured to influence the subject in a physiological way, e.g. by electric current treatment, magnetic field treatment, light treatment, or the like.

As used herein, the subject to be treated, e.g. influenced, stimulated, or the like, by the medical device may be broadly understood, and may, for example, be a human or animal, a body thereof or a part of it. Alternatively, the subject may also be an in vitro substance, e.g. a pathogen, an organism, or the like, such as one cultivated in a Petri dish, test tube, or the like, wherein the substance is influenced by the electrical current of the medical device, or the subject may be a tissue. Furthermore, the medical treatment device may be configured, by controlling the number of actuator channels, to apply the electrically induced treatment to the subject to obtain specific or multiple physiological effects on the subject.

As used herein, the control program may also be referred to as a treatment and/or therapy program. In general, the method as described herein may be used to edit, configure, modify, generate, and/or execute the control program. Therefore, the implementation of the method may also be referred to as a control program editor and/or therapy editor. The control program editor may be executed on a computer device, such as a workstation, personal computer, tablet, on a dedicated system, or the like. In particular, the control program editor may be implemented in computer instructions executed by a data processing unit, such as a processor, e.g. a CPU, GPU, an FPGA, or the like. Further, control program generated by the control program editor may be machine readable by using a data processing unit, such as a processor, e.g. a CPU, GPU, an FPGA, or the like, which may be part of the medical treatment device. In turn, the data processing unit of the medical treatment device may configured to drive the number of actuators by a driving signal, which may be generated based on the control program created by utilizing the control program editor. As a result, the control program editor may provide controlling of the medical treatment device.

As used herein, the first input data and/or instruction included therein may be configured to instruct a data processing unit, such as a processor, e.g. a CPU, GPU, an FPGA, or the like, to establish the one actuator channel assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators. Further, the first input data and/or instruction included therein may be configured to instruct the data processing unit to generate one or more graphical elements to be displayed to a user of the control program editor. For example, a first graphical element may indicate the assigned one of the number of actuator channels. As used herein, the number of second input data and/or the number of instructions included therein may be configured to instruct a data processing unit, such as a processor, e.g. a CPU, GPU, an FPGA, or the like. Further, the number of second to a second graphical element may indicate the assigned one of the number of time slots, and a third graphical element may indicate the one or more signal parameters of the corresponding one of the number of time slots.

It is noted that the first input data and/or second input data need not necessarily consist of a single command from the user, but may consist of a sequence of input actions, even using different input methods, such as keyboard input, mouse input, pen input, or the like. Therefore, the distinction made herein between first input data and second input data is to be understood rather functionally. The first input data and/or second input data may be assigned to one or more graphical elements to be operated by the user for input.

The user interface may comprise one or more input methods, such as keyboard input, mouse input, voice input, pen input, or the like, for which a corresponding hardware and operating system are available. The user interface may also comprise a graphical user interface (GUI).

The time slot may be defined or dimensioned with a length of time within which a reaction or response of the subject, i.e. the body or the substance, can be expected or even recognized, i.e. a reaction or response can be measured. By way of example, the time slot may have a length of time in the range of Milliseconds (ms), but is not limited thereto. In this way, the size of data files of the control program may be reduced, as it only comprises a reduced amount of information. The minimum time slot may be the minimum system resolution, wherein one time slot may be defined by the user to expand over one or more minimum system resolutions, so that the time slot may have a length of one or more minimum system resolutions.

The generated control program may comprise a sequence of signal indicators describing the corresponding electric signal to be output via the number of actuator channels, instead of generating the control program in sample by sample data. For example, the one or more signal indicators may be assigned to the one or more signal parameters, and may comprise one or more of a signal shape or waveform, amplitude, frequency, and signal duration. In this way, by utilizing only the signal indicators instead of sample by sample data, the amount of data to generate the analog signal may be reduced. Optionally, the control program may be configured to provide the one or more signal indicators with signal parameter information indicating over which application time the one or more signal parameters remain unchanged or to be changed. In other words, the control program utilizes only information of length of time with regard to changes or non-changes of the one or more signal parameters according to a predefined function, instead of also specifying the exact signal parameters for each time point.

According to an embodiment, a type of the actuator channel may be selected, via the user interface, from: an electric current channel, a current-controlled magnetic field channel, a voltage-controlled magnetic field channel, a led light channel, a halogen light channel, and an ultrasonic channel, and wherein the selected type of the actuator channel is included in the first input data for instructing establishing the actuator channel in accordance with the selected type of the actuator channel. In this way, the medical device provides a broad spectrum of different treatment methods, such as electric current treatment, magnetic field treatment, light treatment, ultrasonic treatment, etc.

Likewise, the number of actuators of the medical treatment device may be configured, e.g. by comprising corresponding drivers and/or generators, such as an electric current generator, a magnetic field generator, a led controlling circuit, an ultrasonic driver, etc., to provide an electrically induced treatment according to the corresponding channel to the subject.

In an embodiment, the selected type of the actuator channel may be assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators configured to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the selected type of the actuator channel. In other words, the control program editor may configure the medical treatment device to drive a specific type of actuator with a specific type of actuator channel. In this way, the medical device provides a broad spectrum of different treatment methods, such as electric current treatment, magnetic field treatment, light treatment, ultrasonic treatment, etc.

According to an embodiment, the selected type of the actuator channel may be used to provide one or more of an electrical current treatment, a current-controlled magnetic field treatment, a voltage-controlled magnetic field treatment, a led light treatment, a halogen light treatment, and an ultrasonic treatment to the subject. For example, the actuator channel may generate an actuator signal configured to drive the corresponding actuator type. In this way, the medical device provides a broad spectrum of different treatment methods, such as electric current treatment, magnetic field treatment, light treatment, ultrasonic treatment, etc.

In an embodiment, multiple first input data may be obtained via the user interface, each comprising an instruction to each establish a dedicated actuator channel, wherein the multiple first input data result in establishing multiple dedicated actuator channels. Thereby, the multiple actuator channels are of a same type and/or of a different type. In other words, a user of the control program editor may select that more than one actuator channel is to be established. Thereby, the user may specify of which type the corresponding actuator channel is to be established. Accordingly, the user may select whether one or more actuator channels of a specific actuator type are to be established. For example, the user may instruct the medical treatment device, via the control program editor, to establish a number of electric current channels, a number a current-controlled magnetic field channels, a number of voltage- controlled magnetic field channels, a number of led light channels, a number of halogen light channels, and/or a number of ultrasonic channels. In this way, the medical device provides a broad spectrum of different treatment methods, such as electric current treatment, magnetic field treatment, light treatment, ultrasonic treatment, etc.

According to an embodiment, the defined time slot may comprise a number of sub time slots having a fixed minimum system resolution. As explained above, the duration of a sub-time slot may be fixed and may be in the range of micro seconds (ms). The time slot may expand over only one single sub-time slot or may expand over a plurality of sub-time slots. For example, the number of sub-time slots over which the time slot should expand may be selected by the user. Thereby, the duration of the time slot may be from about 1 ms, over a hundredth of a second, over seconds, minutes, to an hour or more. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

In an embodiment, each of the multiple actuator channels may be synchronized to each other based on the number of sub-time slots. For example, the actuator channels may be clocked together by using the number of sub-time slots, these may be aligned with each other to achieve synchronization of the actuator channels to each other. In this way, the medical treatment device may be operated with multiple actuator channels, which can be controlled with precise timing.

According to an embodiment, multiple second input data may be obtained via the user interface, each including an instruction defining one dedicated time slot, and wherein, when generating the control program, the multiple time slots may be combined to a sequence. In other words, the control program may comprise, for each one of the number of actuator channels, multiple time slots forming a sequence of driver signal parameters, each of which is defined for the length or duration of one time slot. For example, first second input data may instruct the control program editor to define a first time slot, which may be defined by a first duration or length in time and a first number of signal parameters which together define the driver signal. Further, further second input data may instruct the control program editor to define a second time slot, which may be defined by a second duration or length in time and a second number of signal parameters which together define the driver signal. Thereby, the second duration and/or the second number of signal parameters may be the same as for the first time slot, or may be different to the first time slot. Likewise, third, fourth, fifth, n-th, second input data may be obtained in order to define a respective number of time slots for each actuator channel. Again, it is noted that a time slot has a minimum duration or length in time of a sub-time slot as described above. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

In an embodiment, the set of signal parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a time duration to the time slot to be defined. For example, the user may select, via the user interface, a time duration defined in a time unit, such as micro seconds (ms), seconds (s), minutes (min), hours (h), etc. Based on this selection, the Control program editor may generate a time slot of this duration based on a corresponding number of sub-time slots. Thereby, it is to understood that a time slot duration is a single or a multiple of a sub-time slot. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the set of signal parameters may be obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a waveform shape of the driver signal to the time slot to be defined. For example, the control program editor may comprise a waveform shape library, which may comprise one or more of a sine, a half sine, a saw tooth, a triangle, a line, direct current (DC), a square, and a pulse. The user may select, via the user interface one waveform shape for each time slot. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected waveform shape to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different waveform shapes, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

In an embodiment, the set of signal parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning an amplitude value of the driver signal to the time slot to be defined. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected amplitude to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different amplitudes, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning an offset value of the driver signal to the time slot to be defined. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected offset value to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different offsets, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

In an embodiment, the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a frequency value of the driver signal to the time slot to be defined. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected amplitude to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different offsets, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a duty cycle value of the driver signal to the time slot to be defined. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected duty cycle to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different duty cycles, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

In an embodiment, the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a parameter variation function configured to vary one or more parameters of the set of parameters to the time slot to be defined, and wherein the parameter variation function is selected, via the user interface, from: linear, logarithmic, and exponential. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected parameter variation to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different parameter variations, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a superimposing or modulation function to modulate the signal parameters and/or the driver signal to the time slot to be defined. For example, the superimposing function may be understood as superimposing at least two different waveforms and, optionally, other signal characteristics to create a further superimposed waveform and/or signal, i.e. the driver signal. As used herein, modulation may be understood as a specific waveform in the time domain. Thereby, the modulation function is selected, via the user interface, from: superimposed mixer modulation, single side band modulation, frequency modulation, and amplitude modulation. Further, the control program editor may be configured to assign the selected superimposing or modulation function to the specific time slot. Further, a sequence composed of a plurality of time slots may define a sequence of same and/or different modulation functions, so that the driver signal utilized to drive the corresponding actuator may be the same over one or more time slots, or may vary from time slot to time slot, etc. In this way, the control program allows a high variability and precise timing of the signals with which the actuators are to be controlled.

In an embodiment, the superimposed mixer modulation is configured to modulate a second waveform on a first waveform of the driver signal in a superimposed manner, and wherein the first waveform and the second waveform are different to each other. For example, the first waveform may be a sine, half sine, etc., and the second waveform may be a square, etc., wherein the latter is modulated on the first waveform. This allows the control program to be varied widely. According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise determining an accumulated electrical charge load provided, in response to the driver signal, by the corresponding one of the number of actuators. Considering its effect on the subject, the accumulated electrical charge load may be compared with a dose of medicine or medication. Therefore, determining the accumulated electrical charge load may be used as feedback to be considered for the control program. For example, the accumulated electrical charge load may be simulated before execution of the control program, e.g. by utilizing a simulation generator of the control program editor, so that the user may be informed, e.g. by utilizing a display, which accumulated electrical charge load is to expected when executing the control program. Alternatively or additionally, the feedback may be provided during real-time operation of the medical treatment device. Thereby, the control program editor may be configured to consider the feedback for real-time control of the medical treatment device. For example, the control program editor may be configured to provide an indicator for the user if a desired accumulated electrical charge load is not reached or will not be reached over the length of the control program, or is or has been exceeded, or is in danger of being exceeded, etc. In this way, the control program editor allows to control the medical treatment device precisely, especially in terms of the physiological effect on the subject.

In an embodiment, the method may further comprise obtaining, via at least one feedback channel of the medical treatment device, an electrical charge load feedback indicative for an accumulated electrical charge load provided via the corresponding one of the number of actuators. The electrical charge load feedback may be simulated by before execution of the control program, e.g. by utilizing a simulation generator of the control program editor. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical charge load feedback may be based on measuring, during execution of the control program, the generated or to-be- generated electric current over time. In this way, the control program editor allows to control the medical treatment device precisely, especially in terms of the physiological effect on the subject.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise obtaining, from the number of second input data, an electrical charge load information indicative for a desired electrical charge load to be provided by the corresponding one of the number of actuators; and adjusting the driver signal to provide the electrical charge load in accordance with the obtained electrical charge load information and/or the electrical charge load feedback. For example, the user may input the electrical charge load information according to e.g. a treatment and/or therapy plan, and may thereby indicate that an accumulated electrical charge load of value x is desired. The control program editor may be configured to compare the electrical charge load information with the electrical charge load feedback, either obtained from simulation or from measurement. If there is determined a deviation between the electrical charge load information and the electrical charge load feedback, the control program editor may at least suggest the user, e.g. by utilizing a display, to adjust one or more time slots, thereby adjusting the electrical charge load to be applied to the subject. The user may modify the control program to adjust the electrical charge load to the desired value, e.g. by adding or modifying one or more of the time slots to provide the desired accumulated electrical charge load. Alternatively or additionally, the control program editor may be configured to automatically adjust the electrical charge load, e.g. by utilizing a time slot generator and/or time slot modifier to add, remove, and/or modify one or more time slots automatically. In this way, the control program editor allows to control the medical treatment device precisely, especially in terms of the physiological effect on the subject.

In an embodiment, at least one compensation time slot may be defined to be included in the control program, and wherein the at least one compensation time slot may comprise the adjusted driver signal. As used herein, the compensation time slot may compensate for any deviation of e.g. the accumulated electrical charge load, a length of the control program, or the like. Including the compensation time slot may be done by the control program editor in an automatic manner, e.g. by determining a deviation between an expected or actual value of physical processes caused by executing the control program, calculating the compensation time slot and adding it to the control program. Alternatively or additionally, the compensation time slot may be defined by the user of the control program editor manually, wherein the instruction to do so may be included in e.g. the second input data. In this way, the control program editor allows to control the medical treatment device precisely, especially in terms of the physiological effect on the subject.

According to an embodiment, the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data may comprise information assigning a gating function to the time slot to be defined, and wherein the gating function is configured to interrupt the control program at one or more intervals of time defined by the number of second input data. For example, the gating function may be defined at predefined intervals of time with respect to the execution of the control program. The gating function may be a programmable element. It may utilize one or more logical operators applicable to the control program or parts of it. The output of the gating function may be a programmed interruption of the control program. Optionally, the gating function may be determined based on feedback from the subject, e.g. on measurements of electrical and/or physiological values. Further optionally, the gating function may be triggered manually, e.g. by a pedal switch to be operated by the user of the control program editor. In this way, safety of the subjection during operation of the medical treatment device may be improved.

In an embodiment the control program may be compiled into a hardware description language configured to be executed by a field-programmable gate array, FPGA, configured to control the corresponding one of the number of actuators. For example, the user may select the control program to be compiled, upon which instruction the control program editor may compile the control program into the hardware description language. Then, the control program editor may transmit the compiled control program to the medical treatment device, e.g. to a data processing unit, e.g. the FPGA, to be executed. Thereby, the control program has a small data amount, since merely the signal parameters and/or defined time slots are compiled, transmitted and executed by the FPGA. In this way, the medical treatment device may be operated with a high degree of efficiency.

A second aspect provides a medical treatment device for providing an electrically induced treatment to a subject. The medical treatment device may be configured to create, modify, and/or execute the control program generated and/or received in accordance to the first aspect. The medical treatment device comprises: a data processing unit; a number of channel-controlled actuators, connected to the data processing unit and configured to provide the electrically induced treatment to a subject; and a user interface, connected to the data processing unit; wherein the data processing unit is configured to: obtain, via the user interface, first input data including an instruction establishing one actuator channel assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators; obtain, via the user interface, a number of second input data, each including an instruction defining one time slot assigned to the actuator channel and assigning a set of signal parameters to the time slot, the set of signal parameters being configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators; and generate, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators, the control program being configured to control, via the established actuator channel, the medical treatment device to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the one or more driver signals.

In this way, the medical treatment device can be controlled channel-by-channel. Thereby, the number of actuator channels can be controlled separately from each other, allowing to provide a wide spectrum of electrically induced treatment to a subject. Using the concept of time slots allows the treatment to be controlled precisely in a time-related manner. Further, using only signal parameters as control data instead of full samples to define an electric signal to be provided to each one of the number of actuator channels allows the data amount processed to generate the electric signal to be reduced.

The data processing unit of the medical treatment device may one single data processing unit integrated into the medical treatment device, or may be a separate data processing unit of e.g. a computer connected to the medical treatment device, or may be part of a distributed computer system. The functionalities of the data processing unit may also be referred to as the control program editor.

The user interface may comprise one or more peripheral input means, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, etc., and may comprise at least one graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed, utilizing a display, such as a monitor, or the like.

The user interface and/or the data processing unit may be configured to generate, upon the first and/or second input data, computer instructions configured to create, modify and/or execute the functions described herein with respect to the first and/or second input data. Accordingly, the user interface and/or the data processing unit may be configured to generate computer instructions causing the actuator channel, the one or more time slots, signal parameters, etc. to be established and/or generated.

It is noted that each function described herein with respect to the data processing unit and/or the user interface, i.e. the computer instructions, may be mapped to one or more graphical elements configured to display the time slot, signal parameters, etc. to the user of the medical treatment device. Accordingly, the control program editor and/or the medical treatment device may be configured to be operated via a graphical user interface (GUI). Further, by operating the one or more graphical elements, the user of the control program editor and/or the medical treatment device may create, modify and/or execute the functions described herein with respect to the data processing unit and/or the user interface.

According to an embodiment, a type of the actuator channel is selectable, via the user interface, from: an electric current channel, a current-controlled magnetic field channel, a voltage-controlled magnetic field channel, a led light channel, a halogen light channel, and an ultrasonic channel, and wherein the selected type of the actuator channel is included in the first input data for instructing establishing the actuator channel in accordance with the selected type of the actuator channel. In this way, the user may configure the control program individually.

In an embodiment, the data processing unit may be configured to establish multiple actuator channels operable in parallel to each other, and wherein the type of the actuator channels among the multiple actuator channels may be the same and/or may be different to each other. For example, the first input data may be configured to instruct the data processing device to establish the multiple actuator channels. These may be displayed to the user, either in advance or after being established. Each one of the multiple actuator channels may be labelled by type, name, or the like. Establishing the multiple actuator channels may also comprise establishing a corresponding number of signal generators, drivers, etc., configured to drive the actuators corresponding to the actuator channels. In this way, the user can freely configure the actuator channels in their number and/or type.

According to an embodiment, the number of actuators is configured to provide one or more of an electrical current treatment, a current-controlled magnetic field treatment, a voltage-controlled magnetic field treatment, a led light treatment, a halogen light treatment, and an ultrasonic treatment to the subject. In this way, the user can freely configure the actuator channels in their number and/or type.

In an embodiment, the medical treatment device may further comprise a number of drivers, each of which assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators, wherein the number of drivers may be selected from: an electric current driver, a current-controlled magnetic field driver, a voltage-controlled magnetic field driver, a led light driver, a halogen light driver, and an ultrasonic driver. In this way, the user can freely configure the actuator channels in their number and/or type.

According to an embodiment, the medical treatment device may comprise multiple actuators operable in parallel to each other, wherein the first input data and the second input data are assigned to a dedicated one of the multiple actuators to establish one actuator channel to one of the multiple actuators. In other words, each one of the number of actuator channels may be assigned to one actuator, and each one of the number of actuator channels may be configured individually by the user.

In an embodiment, the medical treatment device may further comprise a display, connected to the data processing unit, wherein the user interface may comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) to be provided to the display. The display may be an on-board display of the medical treatment device, or may be a separate display, such as a monitor or the like, or may be a monitor of a separate computer device, such as a workstation, laptop, tablet, or the like.

According to an embodiment the data processing unit may further comprise a compiler to provide the control program in a hardware description language configured to drive the number of actuators. The compiler may be configured to provide the control program to be executable by an FPGA, which may be part of the medical treatment device and/or of the actuator drivers. In this way, the control program can be executed efficiently.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program element, which when executed by a processor is configured to carry out the method of the first aspect, and/or to control a device according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage or transmission medium, which has stored or which carries the computer program element according to the fourth aspect.

It is noted that the above embodiments may be combined with each other irrespective of the aspect involved. Accordingly, the method may be combined with structural features of the device of the other aspects and, likewise, the device of the second aspect may be combined with features described above with regard to the method according to the first aspect.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the drawings.

Fig 1 shows in a schematic block diagram a medical treatment device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary user interface and/or graphical user interface according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary user interface and/or graphical user interface according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary user interface and/or graphical user interface according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary user interface and/or graphical user interface according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary user interface and/or graphical user interface according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary user interface and/or graphical user interface according to an embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows in a flow chart a method for providing a control program for a medical treatment device according to an embodiment.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows in a schematic block diagram a medical treatment device 100 for providing an electrically induced treatment to a subject (not shown). The medical treatment device 100 comprises a control program editor 110, which may also be referred to as therapy editor and which may be configured to create, modify, compile, execute, etc., a control program to be used to control and/or operate the medical treatment device 100. Further, the medical treatment device 100 comprises at least one data processing unit 120, configured to execute the control program editor 110 and/or to execute the control program provided by the control program editor 110. It is noted that there may be two or more data processing units 120, wherein at least one may be provided for executing the control program editor 110, and wherein at least other one may be provided for executing the control program. The medical treatment device 100 optionally comprises a number of drivers 130A to 130N. Further, the medical treatment device 100 comprises a number of channel-controlled actuators 140A to 140N, operatively connected to the data processing unit 110 and configured to provide the electrically induced treatment to the subject. Further, the number of actuators 140A to 140N may be operatively connected to the number of drivers 130A to 130N in a one-to-one correspondence. The number of drivers 130A to 130N and/or the number of actuators 140A to 140N may be selected from: an electric current driver and/or actuator, a current-controlled magnetic field driver and/or actuator, a voltage-controlled magnetic field driver and/or actuator, a led light driver and/or actuator, a halogen light driver and/or actuator, and an ultrasonic driver and/or actuator. The medical treatment device 100 further comprises a user interface 150, which is connected to the at least one data processing unit 120 and configured to provide means for interaction with a user of the medical treatment device 100 and/or the control program editor 110. Thereby, the user interface 150 may be part of the control program editor 110 or vice versa. It is noted that a data flow between the components of the medical treatment device 100 is indicated in Fig. 1 by arrows.

The user interface 150 comprises a graphical user interface 151 (GUI; see also. Figs. 2 to ??), which is configured to provide a number of graphical elements number of graphical elements 151 A, 15 IB, 151C, 15 ID, 15 IE (see also Fig. 2), such as a button, a display box, a dialog box, a selection menu, or the like. The number of graphical elements 151A, 151B,

151C, 15 ID, 15 IE are mapped with a number of computer instructions, which cause the data processing unit 120 to perform the functions and/or methods as described herein and/or to display related data to the user or operator of the medical treatment device 100 and/or the control program editor 110. Optionally, the number of graphical elements 151 A, 15 IB, 151C, 15 ID, 15 IE may be provided as one or more of a user menu, a user library, etc. The GUI 151 may be mapped with input commands of the user, so that operating the number of graphical elements may cause the control program editor 110 to perform an action assigned to the corresponding graphical element. Further, the GUI 11 may be mapped with output and/or display data generated by the medical treatment device 100, e.g. by the at least one data processing unit 120 and/or the control program editor 110, to be displayed to the user. Thereby, the control program editor 110 may be configured to obtain, via the GUI 151 and/or the data processing unit 120, first input data from a user, wherein the first input data including an instruction establishing one actuator channel 112 (see Fig. 2) assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N, and to obtain, via the GUI 151, a number of second input data, each including an instruction defining one time slot assigned to the actuator channel and assigning a set of signal parameters to the time slot, wherein the set of signal parameters is configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N.

The at least one data processing unit 120 is configured to obtain, via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151, the first input data that includes an instruction upon which at least one actuator channel assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators is established. In other words, the user may input, e.g. via keyboard, mouse, pen, etc., and/or via a selection from e.g. a menu, library, etc. provided by the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151, the first input data, and the at least one data processing unit 120 is configured to interpret the first input data in a way to generate and provide, i.e. establish, the actuator channel. The successful establishment may then be indicated, e.g. displayed, to the user via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151. Thereby, the established actuator channel may be labelled or may be provided with a meaningful identifier, such as “channel A” or the like.

Further, the at least one data processing unit 120 is configured to obtain, via the user interface 150, a number of second input data, wherein each of these includes an instruction upon which one time slot assigned to the established actuator channel is defined, and wherein each of the number of second input data and/or instructions included therein assigns a set of signal parameters to the defined time slot. Thereby, the set of signal parameters is configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N and/or the number of drivers 130A to 130N arranged upstream to the number of actuators 140A to 140N. The driver signal may be an electric signal, such as a voltage signal, current signal, etc. It is noted that the set of signal parameters merely describe the driver signal to be generated, e.g. by utilizing the number of drivers 130A to 130N, instead of providing the driver signal as a complete sample.

Furthermore, the at least one data processing unit 120 is further configured to generate, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N, wherein the control program is configured to control, via the established actuator channel, the medical treatment device 100 to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the one or more driver signals. In other words, upon a command, i.e. the first input data, of the user to establish the actuator channel, the data processing unit 120 and/or the control program editor 110 may generate computer instructions that generate, display, and assign the actuator channel suitable to control, e.g. provided as a software channel configured to be operatively connected to the corresponding actuator 140A to 140N via the actuator channel. Further, upon a further command or number of commands, i.e. the number of second input data, of the user, the data processing unit 120 and/or the control program editor 110 may create the time slot within the established actuator channel and may assign the set of signal parameters to the time slot. It is noted that one established actuator channel may comprise a single time slot, or may comprise a plurality of time slots, each having an assigned set of signal parameters. Thereby, the plurality of time slots may form a sequence to be executed over time. It is noted that the set of signal parameters may be the same for all time slots, or may be the same for a subset of time slots, or may differ from time slot to time slot or from subset to subset of time slots.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the user interface 150, and particularly of the GUI 151, at least in sections. It provides a number of means for interacting with the user, which are represented by the number of graphical elements 151 A, 15 IB, 151C, 15 ID, 15 IE such as a button, a display box, a dialog box, a selection menu, a library, or the like. The number of graphical elements are mapped with a number of computer instructions, which cause the data processing unit 120 to perform the functions and/or methods as described herein and/or to display related data to the user. The number of graphical elements 151 A,

15 IB, 151C, 15 ID, 15 IE may at least partly be organized in one or more menus and/or libraries and/or groups, so as to provide the GUI 151 to the user for interacting with the control program editor 110.

In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2, the user has created and/or established a number of actuator channels 112A, 112B, 112C, by multiple times inputting the first input data via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151, wherein each one of the actuator channels 112 A, 112B, 112C is of a specific type and operated in parallel to the other actuator channels 112A, 112B, 112C. Further, each one of the actuator channels 112A, 112B, 112C is assigned to a corresponding one of the number of drivers 130A to 130N and/or the number of actuators 140A to 140N. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, there are three parallel channels 112A, 112B, 112C, wherein two are of an electric current type and one is of a voltage-controlled magnetic field type.

Further, according to Fig. 2, the user has created, by inputting the number of second input data via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151, a number of time slots 113 A, 113B,

113C, each of which is assigned to the corresponding actuator channel 112A, 112B, 112C. Further, it is noted that each of the time slots 113 A, 113B, 113C has a minimum length that corresponds to a number of sub-time slots having a fixed minimum system resolution, which may be in the range of microseconds (ms). For example, the minimum system resolution may be fixed to 1 ms. It is also conceivable that each time slot 113A, 113B, 113C may expand over a plurality of sub-time slots, so that a time slot 113A, 113B, 113C may be defined with a length in the range of microseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, etc. Although not shown in Fig. 2, each actuator channel 112A, 112B, 112C may comprise a number of time slots 113A, 113B, 113C forming a sequence of time slots executable over time. In other words, multiple second input data are obtained via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151, wherein each second input data includes an instruction that defines one dedicated time slot within one actuator channel 112A, 112B, 112C, so that multiple time slots are assigned to one actuator channel 112A, 112B, 112C. Then, when generating the control program, the multiple time slots are combined to a sequence, so that the corresponding actuator channel 112A, 112B,

112C provides a driver signal that is varying over execution time of the control program.

Thereby, each time slot 113A, 113B, 113C comprises one set of signal parameters as indicated in Fig. 2 by a respective signal representation. The set of signal parameters describes a driver signal, which may also be referred to as an electric signal, such as a current signal or voltage signal. The driver signal is configured to drive, via the corresponding actuator channel 112A, 112B, 112C, the corresponding one of the number of drivers 130A to 130N and/or the number of actuators 140A to 140N. It is noted that the sets of signal parameters 113 A, 113B, 113C may differ from actuator channel to actuator channel and/or from time slot to time slot and/or from sub-time slot to sub-time slot.

The set of signal parameters obtained with the number of second input data describing the driver signal may comprise one or more of the following parameters: a time duration of the time slot, i.e. the number of sub-time slots over which the time slot expands, a waveform shape, an amplitude value, an offset value, a frequency value, a duty cycle value, a parameter variation function configured to vary one or more parameters of the set of parameters, wherein the parameter variation function is selected, via the user interface 150, from: linear, logarithmic, and exponential, a modulation function to modulate the driver signal, wherein the modulation function is selected, via the user interface 150, from: superimposed mixer modulation, single side band modulation, frequency modulation, and amplitude modulation, wherein the superimposed mixer modulation is configured to modulate a second waveform on a first waveform of the driver signal in a superimposed manner, and wherein the first waveform and the second waveform are different to each other. It is noted that the waveform may be selected from: a sine, a half sine, a saw tooth, a triangle, a line, direct current (DC), a square, and a pulse.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary editing interface of the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151 for defining and/or editing the set of signal parameters, as obtained from the number of second input data, for one of the time slots 113 A, 113B, 113C. The editing interface may be opened as a separate window in response to operating one or more of the number of graphical elements 151 A, 15 IB, 151C, 15 ID, 15 IE of the GUI 151 (see Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 3, the set of parameters may be defined and displayed for each single time slot 113A, 113B, 113C. The editing interface may comprise one or more edit fields 1511, wherein each of these is assigned to a time slot duration and/or length, a waveform shape, an amplitude value, an offset value, a frequency value, a duty cycle value, a parameter variation function, and/or a modulation function. Operating the one or more edit fields 1511 may vary the signal characteristic of the driver signal assigned to the corresponding actuator channel 112A, 112B, 112C. Further, the editing interface may comprise a display box 1512, configured to display the electric signal, i.e. the driver signal, that results from the set of signal parameters specified via the one or more edit fields 1511.

Optionally, the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151 may provide a selectable option, e.g. by obtaining the number of second input data, to the user for assigning a gating function to the time slot 113 A, 113B, 113C, wherein the gating function is configured to interrupt the electric signal, i.e. the driver signal, at a predefined point or interval of time within the time slot 113A, 113B, 113C.

Now referring to Fig. 4, which shows a further editing interface of the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151 for defining and/or editing the set of signal parameters for one of the time slots 113A, 113B, 113C, the parameter variation function is described in more detail. Accordingly, the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151 may provide a selectable option, e.g. via selection and/or dialog boxes 1513, to the user for assigning the parameter variation function configured to vary one or more parameters of the set of parameters assigned to the time slot 113A, 113B, 113C. In this way, e.g. an amplitude value, an offset value, a frequency value, of the electric signal, i.e. the driver signal, may be defined to be varied within the duration or length of the time slot 113A, 113B, 113C. This is also illustrated in Fig. 3, where the waveform of the electric signal shown in display box 1512 is a sine, the amplitude, offset, and frequency of which varies over the duration or length of the time slot 113A, 113B, 113C. The variation function may be selected from: linear, logarithmic, and exponential.

Now referring to Fig. 5, which shows a further editing interface of the user interface

150 and/or the GUI 151 for defining and/or editing the set of signal parameters for one of the time slots 113A, 113B, 113C, the modulation function is described in more detail. Accordingly, the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151 may provide a selectable option, e.g. by obtaining the number of second input data, to the user for assigning the modulation function to the time slot 113A, 113B, 113C. The modulation function is selectable from: superimposed mixer modulation, single side band modulation, frequency modulation, and amplitude modulation. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5, the superimposed modulation comprises a first waveform, which may be a sine, half sine, etc., and a second waveform, which may be a square, etc., wherein the latter is modulated on the first waveform.

Fig. 6 shows a yet further editing interface of the user interface 150 and/or the GUI

151 for defining and/or editing the set of signal parameters for one of the time slots 113 A,

113B, 113C. It provides a selectable option, e.g. by obtaining the number of second input data, for determining and/or adjusting an accumulated electrical charge load to be provided in response to the electric signal, i.e. the driver signal. From a therapeutic perspective, the accumulated electrical charge load may be compared to a dosage of medication or the like, and the user of the medical treatment device 100 may desire to determine and/or adjust the “dosage” to be provided to the subject. For this purpose, the yet further editing interface may comprise one or more editing fields 1515 to obtain, form input of the user, an electrical charge load information indicative for a desired electrical charge load to be provided by the corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N. Further, the yet further editing interface may comprise one or more editing fields 1516 to display the desired electrical charge load and/or the electrical charge load to be expected for the input set of signal parameters. In at least some embodiments, the medical treatment device 100 may comprise at least one feedback channel, and may configured to provide an electrical charge load feedback indicative for an accumulated electrical charge load provided via the corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N. The medical treatment device 100 may further be configured to provide the electrical charge load in accordance with the obtained electrical charge load information and/or the electrical charge load feedback. In order to adjust the actual electrical charge load to the desired electrical charge load, the medical treatment device 100 may further be configured to define to be included in the control program, wherein the at least one compensation time slot comprises the adjusted driver signal that allows providing the desired accumulated electrical charge load.

Fig. 7 shows a simulating module of the control program editor 110 as represented by the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151. The simulating module is configured to simulate, i.e. without actually transmitting the driver signal to the actuators, the electric signal, i.e. the driver signal, as specified by the number of second input data.

It is noted that the control program may be composed, by the control program editor 110, from the first and second input data and may be compiled to be executed by the e.g. the data processing unit 120.

Fig. 8 shows in a flow chart, a computer- implemented method for providing the control program to the medical treatment device 100.

In a first step SI, the first input data including to instruction to establish one actuator channel assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators 140A to 140N is obtained via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151.

In a second step S2, the number of second input data, each including the instruction to define one time slot assigned to the actuator channel and to assign the set of signal parameters to the time slot, is obtained via the user interface 150 and/or the GUI 151.

In a third step S3, the control program editor 110 and/or the at least one data processing unit 120 generates, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators 140 A to 140N. In another exemplary embodiment, a computer program or computer program element is provided that is characterized by being configured to execute the method steps of the method according to one of the preceding embodiments, on an appropriate system.

The computer program element might therefore be stored on the data processing unit, e.g. a data processing unit, which might also be part of an embodiment. This data processing unit may be configured to perform or induce performing of the steps of the method described above. Moreover, it may be configured to operate the components of the above described device and/or system. The computing unit can be configured to operate automatically and/or to execute the orders of a user. A computer program may be loaded into a working memory of a data processor. The data processor may thus be equipped to carry out the method according to one of the preceding embodiments.

Further, the computer program element might be able to provide all necessary steps to fulfill the procedure of an exemplary embodiment of the method as described above.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a computer readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, USB stick or the like, is presented wherein the computer readable medium has a computer program element stored on it which computer program element is described by the preceding section.

A computer program may be stored and/or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

However, the computer program may also be presented over a network like the World Wide Web and can be downloaded into the working memory of a data processor from such a network. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a medium for making a computer program element available for downloading is provided, which computer program element is arranged to perform a method according to one of the previously described embodiments of the invention.

It is noted that embodiments of the invention are described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments are described with reference to the device type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter also any combination between features relating to different subject matters is considered to be disclosed with this application. However, all features can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more than the simple summation of the features.

Claims

1. A computer- implemented method for providing a control program to a medical treatment device (100), the medical device (100) comprising a number of channel-controlled actuators (130A-130N) configured to provide electrically induced treatment to a subject, the method comprising: obtaining, via a user interface (150), first input data including an instruction establishing one actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); obtaining, via the user interface (150), a number of second input data, each including an instruction defining at least one time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) assigned to the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) and assigning a set of signal parameters to the time slot (113A,

113B, 113C), the set of signal parameters being configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); and generating, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A- 140N), the control program being configured to control, via the established actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C), the medical treatment device (100) to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the one or more driver signals.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) is selected, via the user interface (150), from: an electric current channel, a current-controlled magnetic field channel, a voltage-controlled magnetic field channel, a led light channel, a halogen light channel, and an ultrasonic channel, and wherein the selected type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) is included in the first input data for instructing establishing the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) in accordance with the selected type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected type of the actuator channel (112A,

112B, 112C) is assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N) configured to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the selected type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C).

4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the selected type of the actuator channel (112A,

112B, 112C) is used to provide one or more of an electrical current treatment, a current- controlled magnetic field treatment, a voltage-controlled magnetic field treatment, a led light treatment, a halogen light treatment, and an ultrasonic treatment to the subject.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein multiple first input data are obtained via the user interface (150), each including an instruction establishing multiple dedicated actuator channels (112A, 112B, 112C), and wherein the multiple actuator channels (112A, 112B, 112C) are of a same type and/or of a different type.

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the defined time slot comprises a number of sub-time slots (113 A, 113B, 113C) having a fixed minimum system resolution.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the multiple actuator channels ( 112A, 112B,

112C) are synchronized to each other based on the number of sub-time slots (113A, 113B, 113C).

8. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein multiple second input data are obtained via the user interface (150), each including an instruction defining one dedicated time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C), and wherein, when generating the control program, the multiple time slots are combined to a sequence.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of signal parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a time duration to the time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C) to be defined.

10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of signal parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a waveform shape of the driver signal to the time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C) to be defined.

11. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of signal parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning an amplitude value of the driver signal to the time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) to be defined.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning an offset value of the driver signal to the time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) to be defined.

13. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a frequency value of the driver signal to the time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) to be defined.

14. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a duty cycle value of the driver signal to the time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) to be defined.

15. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a parameter variation function configured to vary one or more parameters of the set of parameters to the time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C) to be defined, and wherein the parameter variation function is selected, via the user interface (150), from: linear, logarithmic, and exponential.

16. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a modulation function to modulate the driver signal to the time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C) to be defined, and wherein the modulation function is selected, via the user interface (150), from: superimposed mixer modulation, single side band modulation, frequency modulation, and amplitude modulation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the superimposed mixer modulation is configured to modulate a second waveform on a first waveform of the driver signal in a superimposed manner, and wherein the first waveform and the second waveform are different to each other.

18. The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: determining an accumulated electrical charge load provided, in response to the driver signal, by the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N).

19. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining, via at least one feedback channel of the medical treatment device, an electrical charge load feedback indicative for an accumulated electrical charge load provided via the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N).

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, further comprising: obtaining, from the number of second input data, an electrical charge load information indicative for a desired electrical charge load to be provided by the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); and adjusting the driver signal to provide the electrical charge load in accordance with the obtained electrical charge load information and/or the electrical charge load feedback.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one compensation time slot (113A, 113B,

113C) is defined to be included in the control program, and wherein the at least one compensation time slot (113A, 113B, 113C) comprises the adjusted driver signal.

22. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of parameters obtained with the number of second input data comprises information assigning a gating function to the time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C) to be defined, and wherein the gating function is configured to interrupt the control program at one or more intervals of time defined by the number of second input data.

23. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control program is compiled into a hardware description language configured to be executed by a field- programmable gate array, FPGA, configured to control the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N).

24. A medical treatment device (100) for providing an electrically induced treatment to a subject, comprising: a data processing unit (120); a number of channel-controlled actuators (140A-140N), connected to the data processing unit (120) and configured to provide the electrically induced treatment to a subject; and a user interface (150), connected to the data processing unit (120); wherein the data processing unit (120) is configured to: obtain, via the user interface (150), first input data including an instruction establishing one actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); obtain, via the user interface (150), a number of second input data, each including an instruction defining one time slot (113 A, 113B, 113C) assigned to the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) and assigning a set of signal parameters to the time slot (113A, 113B,

113C), the set of signal parameters being configured to describe a driver signal to be applied to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N); and generate, based on at least the first input data and the number of second input data, the control program assigned to the corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N), the control program being configured to control, via the established actuator channel (112A,

112B, 112C), the medical treatment device to provide the electrically induced treatment in accordance with the one or more driver signals.

25. The medical treatment device of claim 24, wherein a type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) is selectable, via the user interface (150), from: an electric current channel, a current-controlled magnetic field channel, a voltage-controlled magnetic field channel, a led light channel, a halogen light channel, and an ultrasonic channel, and wherein the selected type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) is included in the first input data for instructing establishing the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) in accordance with the selected type of the actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C).

26. The medical treatment device of claim 24 or 25, wherein the data processing unit (120) is configured to establish multiple actuator channels (112A, 112B, 112C) operable in parallel to each other, and wherein the type of the actuator channels (112A, 112B, 112C) among the multiple actuator channels (112A, 112B, 112C) is the same and/or is different to each other.

27. The medical treatment device of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the number of actuators (140A-140N) is configured to provide one or more of an electrical current treatment, a current-controlled magnetic field treatment, a voltage-controlled magnetic field treatment, a led light treatment, a halogen light treatment, and an ultrasonic treatment to the subject.

28. The medical treatment device of any one of claims 24 to 27, further comprising: a number of drivers (130A-130N), each of which assigned to a corresponding one of the number of actuators (140A-140N), wherein the number of drivers (130A-130N) are selected from: an electric current driver, a current-controlled magnetic field driver, a voltage-controlled magnetic field driver, a led light driver, a halogen light driver, and an ultrasonic driver.

29. The medical treatment device of any one of claims 24 to 28, comprising multiple actuators operable in parallel to each other, wherein the first input data and the second input data are assigned to a dedicated one of the multiple actuators to establish one actuator channel (112A, 112B, 112C) for one of the multiple actuators.

30. The medical treatment device of any one of claims 24 to 29, further comprising: a display, connected to the data processing unit (120), wherein the user interface (150) comprises a graphical user interface (150) to be provided to the display.

31. The medical treatment device of any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the data processing unit (120) comprises a compiler to provide the control program in a hardware description language configured to drive the number of actuators (140A-140N).

32. A computer program element, which when executed by a processor, is configured to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 23, and/or to control a medical treatment device of any one of claims 24 to 31.