PATIENT PROGRAMMER FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES

• US 20160158549A1
• Filed: 11/09/2014
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Woods, Carla Mann, Thacker, James R., Peterson, David K.L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,907,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 bi-directional 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. An implantable stimulator device, comprising:

a plurality of electrode nodes configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes;

at least one stimulation source, wherein the number of the at least one stimulation source is less than the number of electrode nodes;

a programmable switch matrix coupled between the plurality of electrode nodes and the at least one stimulation source; and

control circuitry configured for operating the programmable switch matrix to couple any of the at least one stimulation source to any of the plurality of electrode nodes for each of one or more channels.

2. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein the at least one stimulation source comprises a plurality of stimulation sources.

3. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one stimulation source comprises a current source.

4. The implantable stimulator device of claim 3, wherein the at least one stimulation source comprises at least one positive current source configured for outputting a first one or more currents and at least one negative current source configured for outputting a second one or more currents, wherein the control circuitry is configured for operating the programmable switch matrix, such that a total sum of the first one or more output currents equals a total sum of the second one or more output currents.

5. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one stimulation source is adjustable.

6. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stimulation sources comprises at least one positive stimulation source and at least one negative stimulation source.

7. The implantable stimulator device of claim 6, wherein each of the at least one positive stimulation source is a positive current source, and each of the at least one negative stimulation source is a negative current source.

8. The implantable stimulator device of claim 7, wherein one of the at least one positive current source and one of the at least one negative current source are coupled to one of the electrode nodes via a common node.

9. The implantable stimulator device of claim 7, wherein each of the at least one positive current source is programmable, and each of the at least one negative current source is programmable.

10. The implantable stimulator device of claim 9, wherein the each programmable positive current source is a PDAC, and the each programmable negative current source is an NDAC.

11. The implantable stimulator device of claim 7, wherein the at least positive current source is configured for sourcing a first one or more output currents respectively to a first one or more of the plurality of electrode nodes, and the at least one negative current source is configured for sinking a second one or more output currents respectively from a second one or more of the plurality of electrode nodes.

12. The implantable stimulator device of claim 11, wherein the at least one positive current source comprises a plurality of positive current sources, the first one or more output currents comprises a first plurality of output currents, the first one or more electrode nodes comprises a first plurality of electrodes nodes, the at least one negative current source comprises a plurality of positive current sources, the second one or more output currents comprises a second plurality of output currents, and the second one or more electrode nodes comprises a second plurality of electrodes nodes.

13. The implantable stimulator device of claim 12, wherein the first one or more output currents and the second one or more output currents are pulsed.

14. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein the one or more channels comprises a plurality of channels.

15. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry comprises a microcontroller.

16. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, further comprising the plurality of electrodes coupled to the plurality of electrodes.

17. The implantable stimulator device of claim 16, further comprising one or more stimulation electrode leads carrying the plurality of electrodes.

18. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured for storing stimulation parameters with which the control circuitry is configured for programming the programmable switching matrix.

19. The implantable stimulator device of claim 18, further comprising telemetry circuitry configured for receiving the stimulation parameters from an external control device.

20. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1, further comprising a case coupled to one of the electrode nodes.