SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLINICIAN CONTROL OF STIMULATION SYSTEMS

• US 20140188192A1
• Filed: 03/05/2014
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bennett, Maria E., Rundle, Kenneth P., Rubin, Stuart F., Coburn, James, Pack, Danny R., Strother, Robert B., Thrope, Geoffrey B., Mrva, Joseph J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,216,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

Systems and methods for programming and logging medical device and patient data are provided. The systems include a handheld device, which is capable of communicating with a medical device, and a base station, which provides connectivity for the handheld device to accomplish various functions such as recharging, programming, data back-up and data entry. The methods comprise the steps of detecting a medical device, obtaining and recording information from the medical device. Additionally, medical device parameters may be modified and the recorded information may be archived for future reference.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A system comprising:

a handheld device; and

a housing configured to at least partially encase the handheld device, the housing comprising a communications module configured to communicate with both an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and with the handheld device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the communications module is configured to communicate with the implantable pulse generator via a wireless telemetry protocol.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the communications module included in the housing is configured to communicate with the IPG while the communications module is up to six feet away from the IPG.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the handheld device is configured to supply power to the communications module.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a base station configured to receive the handheld device and the housing, the base station being further configured to provide power to the handheld device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the handheld device comprises a user interface that is configured to allow a user to control the base station.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the base station comprises at least one port configured to provide both the handheld device and the housing with connectivity to at least one external device.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the handheld device comprises a user interface.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface is a touch screen.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface provides a warning if a battery charge of the communications module is at a predetermined level.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the user interface of the handheld device is configured to allow a user to at least one of (1) change control parameters in or (2) view data from the IPG.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the handheld device comprises at least one serial communications port, and wherein the handheld device is configured to communicate with the communications module via the at least one serial communications port.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one serial communications port comprises a Universal Serial Bus port.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the handheld device comprises a Liquid Crystal Display screen.

28. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a database configured to store patient data,

wherein the handheld device is configured to at least one of (1) provide user access to the patient data, or (2) allow storing of data from the IPG in the database.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the database is accessible by the handheld device via a network.

30. The system of claim 14, wherein the communications module implements a communication protocol to communicate with the IPG, and wherein the communication protocol comprises one of a standard communication protocol or a custom communication protocol.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the communication protocol is determined based on one or more capabilities of the IPG.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the communication protocol includes an identification of the IPG.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the identification of the IPG comprises one of a unique electronic signature or a device serial number associated with the IPG.

34. A method comprising:

providing a first communication between a communications module and an implantable pulse generator (IPG), wherein the communications module is included in a housing; and

providing a second communication between the communications module and a handheld device, wherein the housing at least partially encases the handheld device.

35. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, upon execution, cause a processor to:

provide a first communication between a communications module and an implantable pulse generator (IPG), wherein the communications module is included in a housing; and

provide a second communication between the communications module and a handheld device, wherein the housing at least partially encases the handheld device.