Conversational interface for programmable implantable medical device

• US 20060041288A1
• 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:
  US11/206,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20060041288A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• 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, 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 and having an interface with the medical professional. The interface accomplishes at least one the plurality of tasks through a series of questions and responses.

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; and

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 having an interface with said medical professional;

said interface accomplishing at least one said plurality of tasks through a series of questions and responses.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said series of questions and responses are presented in clinical terms rather than engineering terms.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein questions in said series of questions and responses are conversational.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller further provides explanations in a conversational language.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein controller performs calculations in response to said series of questions and responses in order to properly program said implantable medical device and wherein said controller presents a worksheet illustrating said calculations to said medical professional.

6. A system as in claim 2 wherein said controller displays to said medical professional a percentage change of said therapeutic output as a result of any changes made by said medical professional.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein said controller displays said percentage change before making any such changes effective in said implantable medical device.

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

a control module, 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 having an interface with said medical professional;

said interface accomplishing at least one said plurality of tasks through a series of questions and responses.

9. A controller as in claim 8 wherein said series of questions and responses are presented in clinical terms rather than engineering terms.

10. A controller as in claim 8 wherein questions in said series of questions and responses are conversational.

11. A controller as in claim 8 wherein said controller further provides explanations in a conversational language.

12. A controller as in claim 8 wherein controller performs calculations in response to said series of questions and responses in order to properly program said implantable medical device and wherein said controller presents a worksheet illustrating said calculations to said medical professional.

13. A controller as in claim 8 wherein said controller displays to said medical professional a percentage change of said therapeutic output as a result of any changes made by said medical professional.

14. A controller as in claim 13 wherein said controller displays said percentage change before making any such changes effective in said implantable medical device.

15. A method of delivering a therapeutic output to a patient in a system having an implantable medical device capable of delivering said therapeutic output to said patient and 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, comprising the steps of:

specifying said therapeutic output through specification of a plurality of tasks and having an interface with said medical professional;

accomplishing at least one said plurality of tasks in said interface through a series of questions and responses.

16. A method as in claim 15 wherein said series of questions and responses are presented in clinical terms rather than engineering terms.

17. A method as in claim 15 wherein questions in said series of questions and responses are conversational.

18. A method as in claim 15 further comprising the step of providing explanations in a conversational language.

19. A method as in claim 15 further comprising the step of performing in response to said series of questions and responses in order to properly program said implantable medical device and wherein said controller presents a worksheet illustrating said calculations to said medical professional.

20. A method as in claim 16 further comprising the step of displaying to said medical professional a percentage change of said therapeutic output as a result of any changes made by said medical professional.

21. A method as in claim 20 wherein said displaying step is accomplished before making any such changes effective in said implantable medical device.

22. A computer readable medium for delivering a therapeutic output to a patient in a system having an implantable medical device capable of delivering said therapeutic output to said patient and 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, comprising:

specifying said therapeutic output through specification of a plurality of tasks and having an interface with said medical professional;

accomplishing at least one said plurality of tasks in said interface through a series of questions and responses.