All-in-one interface for programmable implantable medical device

• US 20060041223A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dewing, Wende L., Dadlani, Pavankumar, Ulbrich, Dale R.
• Application Number:
  US11/206,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041223A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/93.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection

Abstract

A system capable of delivering a therapeutic output to a patient. An implantable medical device is capable of delivering the therapeutic output to the patient. A controller, programmable by a medical professional, is operatively coupled to the implantable medical device, to specify, at least in part, the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient. The controller is operable to specify the therapeutic output through specification of a plurality of tasks. The controller has an interface providing a first screen presenting the medical professional with at least some of the plurality of tasks on the first screen with the first screen divided into a plurality of task areas with each of the at least some of the plurality of tasks associated with a different one of the plurality of task areas.

Claims

1. A system capable of delivering a therapeutic output to a patient, comprising:

an implantable medical device capable of delivering said therapeutic output to said patient;

a controller, programmable by a medical professional, operatively coupled to said implantable medical device, to specify, at least in part, said therapeutic output to be delivered to said patient;

said controller being operable to specify said therapeutic output through specification of a plurality of tasks; and

said controller having an interface providing a first screen presenting said medical professional with at least some of said plurality of tasks on said first screen with said first screen divided into a plurality of task areas with each of said at least some of said plurality of tasks associated with a different one of said plurality of task areas.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said interface presents a second screen associated with a particular one of said plurality of tasks upon selection of said task by said medical professional from said first screen.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein said interface represents said first screen upon completion by said medical professional of said particular one of said plurality of tasks.

4. A system as in claim 3 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already selected by said medical professional.

5. A system as in claim 4 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already completed by said medical professional.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said interface allows said medical professional to graphically select an amount of said therapeutic output to be delivered to said patient in at least one of said series of discrete timer intervals.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said interface accomplishes at least one said plurality of tasks through a series of questions and responses.

8. A controller for an implantable medical device capable of delivering a therapeutic output to a patient, comprising:

a control module, operatively coupled to said implantable medical device, being programmable by a medical professional to specify, at least in part, said therapeutic output to be delivered to said patient;

said control module being operable to specify said therapeutic output through specification of a plurality of tasks; and

said control module having an interface providing a first screen presenting said medical professional with at least some of said plurality of tasks on said first screen with said first screen divided into a plurality of task areas with each of said at least some of said plurality of tasks associated with a different one of said plurality of task areas.

9. A controller as in claim 8 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already selected by said medical professional.

10. A controller as in claim 8 wherein said interface presents a second screen associated with a particular one of said plurality of tasks upon selection of said task by said medical professional from said first screen.

11. A controller as in claim 10 wherein said interface represents said first screen upon completion by said medical professional of said particular one of said plurality of tasks.

12. A controller as in claim 11 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already selected by said medical professional.

13. A controller as in claim 8 wherein interface allows said medical professional to graphically select an amount of said therapeutic output to be delivered to said patient in at least one of said series of discrete timer intervals.

14. A controller as in claim 8 wherein said interface accomplishes at least one said plurality of tasks through a series of questions and responses.

15. A method of controlling an implantable medical device capable of delivering a therapeutic output to a patient, said implantable medical device being programmable by a medical professional to specify through a plurality of tasks, at least in part, said therapeutic output to be delivered to said patient, comprising the steps of:

presenting an interface providing a first screen presenting said medical professional with at least some of said plurality of tasks on said first screen with said first screen divided into a plurality of task areas with each of said at least some of said plurality of tasks associated with a different one of said plurality of task areas; and

presenting a second screen associated with a particular one of said plurality of tasks upon selection of said task by said medical professional from said first screen.

16. A method as in claim 15 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already selected by said medical professional.

17. A method as in claim 15 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already completed by said medical professional.

18. A method as in claim 15 wherein said interface represents said first screen upon completion by said medical professional of said particular one of said plurality of tasks.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already completed by said medical professional.

20. A method as in claim 18 wherein said first screen distinctly identifies said tasks already selected by said medical professional.

21. A computer readable medium for controlling an implantable medical device capable of delivering a therapeutic output to a patient, said implantable medical device being programmable by a medical professional to specify through a plurality of tasks, at least in part, said therapeutic output to be delivered to said patient, comprising:

presenting an interface providing a first screen presenting said medical professional with at least some of said plurality of tasks on said first screen with said first screen divided into a plurality of task areas with each of said at least some of said plurality of tasks associated with a different one of said plurality of task areas; and

presenting a second screen associated with a particular one of said plurality of tasks upon selection of said task by said medical professional from said first screen.