Implantable medical device programming wands having integral input device

• US 20020116032A1
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ferek-Petric, Bozidar
• Granted Patent: US 6,650,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

Programming wands, systems and methods are provided for programming implantable medical devices (IMDs). The programming wands of the present invention preferably include one or more input devices which may be manipulated to control the programming process In some embodiments, the input device includes one or more of a trackball, a button, and a scrolling wheel. By providing input devices on the programming wand, a physician or medical technician may control the programming process with the same hand that supports the programming wand.

Claims

1. A programming wand for programming an implantable medical device, the wand comprising:

a housing;

an antenna associated with the housing, the antenna coupled to transmitter circuitry, wherein the antenna is operable for transmitting programming information from a programming device to the implantable medical device; and

at least one input device coupled to the housing, the at least one input device operable to permit operator control of the programming device.

2. The programming wand of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of a trackball, a button, and a scrolling wheel.

3. The programming wand of claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry is located within the housing.

4. The programming wand of claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuitry further comprises receiver circuitry, the receiver circuitry operable to receive information from the implantable medical device via the antenna associated with the housing.

5. An implantable medical device programming apparatus comprising:

a programming device having programming circuitry operable for use in programming an implantable medical device; and

a programming wand for communicating with the implantable medical device, the programming wand comprising;

a housing;

an antenna associated with the housing, the antenna coupled to transmitter circuitry, wherein the antenna is operable for transmitting programming information from the programming device to the implantable medical device; and

at least one input device coupled to the housing, the at least one input device operable to permit operator control of the programming device.

6. The programming apparatus of claim 5, wherein the programming device further comprises an output device for displaying the programming information.

7. The programming apparatus of claim 5 wherein the at least one input device comprises one or more of a trackball, a button, and a scrolling wheel.

8. The programming apparatus of claim 5, wherein the transmitter circuitry further comprises receiver circuitry adapted to receive information from the implantable medical device via the antenna associated with the housing.

9. A method for programming an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

providing a programming apparatus operable for programming the implantable medical device, the apparatus comprising a programming wand;

positioning the programming wand proximate to the implantable medical device;

transmitting programming instructions from the programming device to the implantable medical device via the programming wand; and

manipulating one or more input devices located on the programming wand to control the programming apparatus.

10. The method of claim 9, where the method further comprises transmitting device status information from the implantable medical device to the programming wand.

11. The method of claim 10, where the method further comprises transmitting patient status information from the implantable medical device to the programming wand.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein manipulating the one or more input devices comprises manipulating the one or more input devices in response to one or more of the programming instructions, the device status information, and the patient status information.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein manipulating the one or more input devices comprises rotating a trackball.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein manipulating the one or more input devices comprises rotating a scrolling wheel.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein manipulating the one or more input devices comprises depressing a button.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the implantable medical device is a cardiac pacing device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cardiac pacing device is at least one of a pacemaker, cardioverter, or defibrillator.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting the programming information to the implantable medical device from the programming wand.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting status information from the implantable medical device to the programming wand.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the implantable medical device is a cardiac pacing device.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the cardiac pacing device is at least one of a pacemaker, cardioverter, or defibrillator.

16. A implantable medical device programming system comprising:

an implantable medical device having at least receiver circuitry;

a programming device having programming circuitry operable for use in programming the implantable medical device; and

a programming wand for communicating with the implantable medical device, the programming wand comprising;

a housing;

transmitter circuitry within the housing, the transmitter circuitry compatible with the receiver circuitry of the implantable medical device;

an antenna associated with the housing, the antenna coupled to the transmitter circuitry, wherein the antenna is operable for transmitting programming information to the receiver circuitry of the implantable medical device; and

an input device coupled to the housing, the input device operable to permit operator control of the programming device.

19. A method for communicating with an implantable medical device, the method comprising;

providing an implantable medical device within a body, the implantable medical device having at least receiver circuitry;

providing a programming apparatus, comprising;

a programming device having programming circuitry operable for use in programming the implantable medical device;

a programming wand for communicating with the implantable medical device, the programming wand comprising;

a housing;

transmitter circuitry within the housing, the transmitter circuitry compatible with the receiver circuitry of the implantable medical device;

an antenna associated with the housing, the antenna coupled to the transmitter circuitry, wherein the antenna is operable for transmitting programming information to the receiver circuitry of the implantable medical device; and

an input device coupled to the housing, the input device operable for use in permitting operator control of the programming device; and

manipulating the input device to control the programming device.