External Device for an Implantable Medical System Having Accessible Contraindication Information

• US 20110004275A1
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Doan, Que, Carbunaru, Rafael
• Granted Patent: US 8,588,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36128 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network

Abstract

Disclosed is a remote controller for an implantable medical device having stored contraindication information, which includes information which a patient or clinician might wish to review when assessing the compatibility of a given therapeutic or diagnostic technique or activity with the patient'"'"'s implant. The stored contraindication information is available through a display of the remote controller or via a wired, wireless, or portable drive connection with an external device. By storing contraindication information with the implant'"'"'s remote controller, patient and clinician can more easily determine the safety of a particular therapeutic or diagnostic technique or physical activity with the patient'"'"'s implant, perhaps without the need to contact the manufacturer'"'"'s service representative.

Claims

1. An external device associated with an implantable medical device, comprising:

communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with the implantable medical device; and

a storage, wherein the storage stores contraindication information relevant to compatibility of a given activity with the implantable medical device.

2. The external device of claim 1, wherein the activity comprises a therapeutic or diagnostic technique.

3. The external device of claim 1, wherein the activity comprises a physical activity.

4. The external device of claim 1, further comprising a removable storage interface, and wherein the storage comprises a removable storage coupleable to the removable storage interface.

5. The external device of claim 4, wherein the removable storage interface comprises a slot, and wherein the removable storage is inserted in the slot.

6. The external device of claim 4, wherein the removable storage interface comprises a port, and wherein the removable storage comprises a portable memory drive.

7. The external device of claim 1, further comprising communication links for transmitting the stored contraindication information outside the external device.

8. The external device of claim 1, wherein the storage is non-removable from the external device.

9. The external device of claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a remote controller used to communicate therapy settings wirelessly to the implantable medical device.

10. The external device of claim 1, wherein the external device comprises a charger used to communicate energy wirelessly to power the implantable medical device.

11. The external device of claim 1, wherein the external device is hand held.

12. The external device of claim 1, wherein the contraindication information is readable or writeable from or to the storage.

13. The external device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface, and wherein the user interface conveys the stored contraindication information to a user.

14. The external device of claim 1, wherein the stored contraindication information comprises a manual.

15. The external device of claim 1, wherein the stored contraindication information comprises specific contraindicated procedures or activities.

16. The external device of claim 1, wherein the stored contraindication information comprises manufacturer or service representative contact information.

17. The external device of claim 1, wherein the stored contraindication information comprises clinician contact information.

18. The external device of claim 1, wherein the stored contraindication information comprises clinician instructions relevant to compatibility of a given activity with the implantable medical device.

19. The external device of claim 1, wherein the stored contraindication information comprises patient data relevant to compatibility of a given activity with the implantable medical device.

20. A remote controller for an implantable medical device, comprising:

processing logic adapted to control the remote controller and the implantable medical device, wherein the processing logic controls the implantable medical device by wirelessly communicating therapy settings to the implantable medical device;

a removable storage interface associated with the processing logic and adapted for accessing a removable storage when coupled to the removable storage interface;

a non-removable storage associated with the processing logic; and

software stored on the non-removable storage comprising instructions

for controlling communications with the implantable medical device; and

for controlling the reading or writing data from the removable storage coupled to the removable storage interface.

21. The remote controller of claim 20, further comprising a display, wherein the software further causes data stored in the removable storage to be conveyed on the display.

22. The remote controller of claim 20, further comprising a communication port, wherein the software further sends the data from the removable storage to the communication port.

23. The remote controller of claim 20, further comprising a communication port, wherein the software further writes data from the communication port to the removable storage.

24. The remote controller of claim 20, further comprising a wireless transmitter, wherein the software further sends the data from the removable storage to the wireless transmitter for wireless communication external to the remote controller.

25. The remote controller of claim 20, further comprising a wireless receiver, wherein the software further writes data wirelessly received at the communication port to the removable storage.

26. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the software further sends the data from the removable storage to the non-removable storage.

27. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the software further writes data from the non-removable storage to the removable storage.

28. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the data comprises a manual.

29. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein data comprises contraindicated procedures or activities.

30. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the data comprises contact information.

31. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the data comprises clinician instructions.

32. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the data comprises patient data.

33. The remote controller of claim 20, wherein the data is encrypted.

34. A system, comprising:

a hand-held external device for wirelessly communicating with an implantable medical device, the external device further comprising a storage, wherein the storage stores contraindication information relevant to compatibility of a given activity with the implantable medical device; and

a computer coupled to the external device by a communication link, wherein the communication link allows the contraindication information stored in the storage to be conveyed to a user at the computer.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the communication link further allows contraindication information to be written to the storage from the computer.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the activity comprises a therapeutic or diagnostic technique or a physical activity.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the external device further comprises a removable storage interface, and wherein the storage comprises a removable storage coupleable to the removable storage interface, and wherein the communication link comprises physical transfer of the removable storage to the computer.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the communication link is wireless.

39. The system of claim 34, wherein the external device further comprises a first coil for wirelessly communicating with an implantable medical device, and wherein the communication link is established between the first coil in the external device and a second coil associated with the computer.

40. The system of claim 34, wherein the system comprises a remote controller used to communicate therapy settings wirelessly to the implantable medical device.

41. The system of claim 34, wherein the system comprises a charger used to communicate energy wirelessly to power the implantable medical device.

42. The system of claim 34, wherein the computer further comprises a user interface, and wherein the contraindication information is conveyed to the user using the user interface.

43. A system, comprising:

an external device for wirelessly communicating with an implantable medical device, the external device further comprising a storage, wherein the storage stores contraindication information relevant to compatibility of a given activity with the implantable medical device.

a computer coupled to the external device by a communication link, wherein the communication link allows the contraindication information to be written to the storage from the computer.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the activity comprises a therapeutic or diagnostic technique or a physical activity.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the external device further comprises a removable storage interface, and wherein the storage comprises a removable storage coupleable to the removable storage interface, and wherein the communication link comprises physical transfer of the removable storage to the external device.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein the communication link is wireless.

47. The system of claim 43, wherein the external device further comprises a first coil for wirelessly communicating with an implantable medical device, and wherein the communication link is established between the first coil in the external device and a second coil associated with the computer.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein the computer comprises a manufacturer computer.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein the computer comprises a clinician computer.