Audible sound communication from an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. In conjunction with an implantable medical device (IMD), a system for communicating audible sounds denoting implantable medical device information of an implantable medical device during a communication session with the implantable medical device and an audible warning from the implantable medical device implanted in a patient to advise the patient to take appropriate action, the system comprising:
- means for providing a communication link signal from a location outside the body of the patient to initiate a communication session with the implantable medical device;
receiving means located within the implantable medical device for receiving the communication link signal and commencing the communication session;
monitoring means for monitoring an operation of said implantable medical device indicative of a danger to the patient and for providing a warning trigger signal in response thereto;
audible sound emitting means responsive to the commencement of the communication session for emitting at least a first audible sound in an audio frequency range audibly hearable by the patient and/or medical care provider from the implantable medical device that is transmitted through the patient'"'"'s body and conveys implantable medical device information and responsive to the warning provided by said monitoring means for emitting a second audible sound in an audio frequency range audibly hearable by the patient or medical care provider from the implantable medical device that is transmitted through the patient'"'"'s body and conveys the warning to advise the patient to take appropriate action wherein the audible sound emitting means includes energy conservation means to generate low volume which is not human audible without the use of an external audio amplifier or stethoscope.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for communication of implantable medical device (IMD) information, including confirmation of programming and programmed parameter values, operating modes and programmed changes thereof and data stored in the IMD, by emission of audible sounds by the IMD are disclosed. The IMD includes an audio transducer that emits audible sounds including voiced statements or musical tones stored in analog memory correlated to a programming or interrogation operating algorithm or to a warning trigger event. The audible sounds can comprise the sole uplink transmission or may augment the contemporaneous uplink RF transmission of stored data, and/or programmed operating modes and parameters and/or device operations and states in an interrogation or during programming. To conserve energy, the audible sounds accompanying interrogation and programming of the IMD are at a low volume that preferably cannot be heard without use of an external audio amplifier or stethoscope. Voiced statements warning of battery energy depletion or imminent delivery of a therapy are emitted at a higher volume that is sufficient to be heard by the patient, so that the patient can take appropriate action. The volume of audible sounds confirming programmed changes made by a patient using a limited function programmer or magnet is also increased so that the patient can hear them.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. In conjunction with an implantable medical device (IMD), a system for communicating audible sounds denoting implantable medical device information of an implantable medical device during a communication session with the implantable medical device and an audible warning from the implantable medical device implanted in a patient to advise the patient to take appropriate action, the system comprising:
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means for providing a communication link signal from a location outside the body of the patient to initiate a communication session with the implantable medical device; receiving means located within the implantable medical device for receiving the communication link signal and commencing the communication session; monitoring means for monitoring an operation of said implantable medical device indicative of a danger to the patient and for providing a warning trigger signal in response thereto; audible sound emitting means responsive to the commencement of the communication session for emitting at least a first audible sound in an audio frequency range audibly hearable by the patient and/or medical care provider from the implantable medical device that is transmitted through the patient'"'"'s body and conveys implantable medical device information and responsive to the warning provided by said monitoring means for emitting a second audible sound in an audio frequency range audibly hearable by the patient or medical care provider from the implantable medical device that is transmitted through the patient'"'"'s body and conveys the warning to advise the patient to take appropriate action wherein the audible sound emitting means includes energy conservation means to generate low volume which is not human audible without the use of an external audio amplifier or stethoscope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for communicating implantable medical device information of an implantable medical device and a warning from the implantable medical device implanted in a patient to advise the patient to take appropriate action, the method comprising the steps of:
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periodically initiating a communication session with the implantable medical device by; providing a communication link signal from a location outside the body of the patient; receiving the communication link signal by receiver means located within the implantable medical device; commencing the communication session in response to the communication link signal; and emitting at least a first audible sound from the implantable medical device that is transmitted through the patient'"'"'s body and conveys implantable medical device information during the communication session; and monitoring said implantable medical device for determination of an operation or state of indicative of a danger to the patient comprising the steps of; providing a warning trigger signal in response to determining an operation or state of said implantable medical device indicative of a danger to the patient; and emitting a second audible sound from the implantable medical device that is transmitted through the patient'"'"'s body and conveys the warning to advise the patient to take appropriate action in response to the warning trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification