PATIENT PROGRAMMER FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES

• US 20070293914A1
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Woods, Carla, Peterson, David, Thacker, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,918,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37241 providing test stimulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

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.

Claims

1-43. -43. (canceled)

44. An implantable medical device system, comprising:

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.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the power source is a replenishable power source.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the power source is a battery.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein the external programmer is configured for interrogating the implantable medical device to acquire the actual status of the power source via the telecommunicative contact.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein the external programmer is configured for reconciling the estimated status of the power source with the actual status of the power source every time the external programmer is activated to program or turn on the implantable medical device.

49. The system of claim 44, wherein the status of the power source is a capacity of the power source.

50. The system of claim 44, wherein the implantable medical device is configured for storing the actual status of the power source.

51. The system of claim 44, wherein the external programmer is a portable, hand-held programmer (HHP).

52. An external programmer for an implanted medical device, comprising:

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.

53. The external programmer of claim 52, wherein the processor circuit is configured for interrogating the implanted medical device via the telemetry circuit to acquire the actual status of the power source.

54. The external programmer of claim 52, wherein the processor circuit is configured for reconciling the estimated status of the power source with the actual status of the power source every time the external programmer is activated to program or turn on the implanted medical device.

55. The external programmer of claim 52, wherein the status of the power source is a capacity of the power source.

56. The external programmer of claim 52, further comprising a portable housing containing the telemetry circuit and processor circuit.

57. A method of indicating the status of a power source in a medical device, comprising:

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.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the power source is a replenishable power source.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the power source is a battery.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein communicating with the implanted medical device comprises interrogating the implanted medical device to acquire the actual status of the power source.

61. The method of claim 57, further comprising repeatedly programming or turning on the implanted medical device, wherein the estimated status of the power source is reconciled with the actual status of the power source each time the implanted medical device is programmed or turned.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein the status of the power source is a capacity of the power source.

63. The method of claim 57, further comprising storing the actual status of the power source within the implanted medical device.