PATIENT PROGRAMMER FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bidirectional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1-43. -43. (canceled)
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44. An implantable medical device system, comprising:
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an implantable medical device configured for maintaining an actual status of a power source contained in the implantable medical device; and
an external programmer including a status indicator configured for indicating an estimated status of the power source, the external programmer configured for being placed in telecommunicative contact with the implantable medical device to reconcile the estimated status of the power source with the actual status of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. An external programmer for an implanted medical device, comprising:
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a status indicator configured for indicating an estimated status of a power source contained within the implanted medical device;
a telemetry circuit configured for wirelessly communicating with the implanted medical device; and
a processor circuit configured for receiving an actual status of the power source from the implanted medical device via the telemetry circuit and reconciling the estimated status of the power source with the actual status of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of indicating the status of a power source in a medical device, comprising:
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implanting the medical device within a patient;
maintaining an actual status of the power source contained in the implanted medical device;
indicating an estimated status of the power source; and
communicating with the implanted medical device to reconcile the estimated status of the power source with the actual status of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification