Implantable medical device programming apparatus having an auxiliary component storage compartment

• US 6,411,851 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Winkler, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko, George R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DROESCH, KRISTEN L
• Application Number:
  US09/433,477
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 607/30, 607/32, 607/36, 607/59, 607/142, 607/2, 607/5, 206/828, 206/438, 206/363, 206/570
• US Class Current: 607/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device is disclosed. The programming apparatus includes a housing, at least one auxiliary component, and a lip. The housing contains computer circuitry and defines a storage compartment. The auxiliary/y component is configured to assist with programming an implantable medical device, perform programming and data transmission functions in cooperation with a remote data center, and interfaces with the computer circuitry via an associated cable. The lip is configured to extend along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment. With this configuration, the lip selectively maintains the cable within the storage compartment thereby minimizing potential damage to the cable.

Claims

1. A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus comprising:

a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component and associated cable configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component is selectively moveable relative to the housing; and

a lip extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment and extending over the storage compartment to prevent upward movement of the cable.

2. The programming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is defined by a side wall extending from a bottom wall, the lip projecting inwardly from the side wall to selectively maintain the cable between the lip and the bottom wall.

3. The programming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the side wall terminates in an upper edge opposite the bottom wall, the lip being positioned between the upper edge and the bottom wall.

4. The programming apparatus of claim 3, wherein a top surface of the lip is spaced from the upper edge by approximately 0.25 inch.

5. The programming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cable extends from the storage compartment in an operational position and is stored within the storage compartment in a storage position, the lip being configured to prevent the cable from contacting the upper edge in the storage position.

6. The programming apparatus of claim 5, wherein a portion of the cable abuts a lower surface of the lip in the storage position.

7. The programming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lip is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of the cable.

9. The programming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the auxiliary component.

10. The programming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position;

wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component and the cable in the closed position.

12. The programming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lip is formed from a pliable material.

13. The programming apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pliable material is an elastomer.

14. The programming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of auxiliary components for assisting in programming of an implantable medical device, each of the plurality of auxiliary components interfacing with the computer circuitry via separate cables, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the separate cables within the storage compartment.

15. The programming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary component is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic programming head, a stylus and patient ECG leads.

8. A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus comprising:

a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component and associated cable configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component is selectively moveable relative to the housing; and

a lip extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment, wherein the lip forms at least one gap along a length thereof, the gap being configured to guide the cable outwardly from the storage compartment.

11. A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus comprising:

a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component and associated cable configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component is selectively moveable relative to the housing;

a lip extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment; and

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position, wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component and the cable in the closed position, and wherein the lip forms a gap along a length thereof and the cover forms a recess corresponding with the gap, such that in the closed position, the cable freely extends from the storage compartment through an opening formed by the gap and the recess.

16. A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus comprising:

housing means containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

cover means for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position;

at least one auxiliary component means and associated cable for assisting with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component means is selectively moveable relative to the housing means; and

retaining means, separate from the cover means, extending over the storage compartment and preventing upward movement of the cable from the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment.

17. The programming apparatus of claim 16, wherein the retaining means comprises a lip extending at least partially along a perimeter of the storage compartment.

18. The programming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the storage compartment is defined by a side wall extending from a bottom wall, the lip projecting inwardly from the side wall to selectively maintain the cable between the lip and the bottom wall.

19. The programming apparatus of claim 18, wherein the side wall terminates in an upper edge opposite the bottom wall, the lip being positioned between the upper edge and the bottom wall.

20. The programming apparatus of claim 19, wherein a top surface of the lip is spaced from the upper edge by approximately 0.25 inch.

21. The programming apparatus of claim 18, wherein the cable extends from the storage compartment in an operational position and is stored within the storage compartment in a storage position, the lip being configured to prevent the cable from contacting the upper edge in the storage position.

22. The programming apparatus of claim 21, wherein a portion of the cable abuts a lower surface of the lip in the storage position.

23. The programming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lip is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of the cable.

25. The programming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the auxiliary component.

26. The programming apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position; and

wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component and the cable in the closed position.

28. The programming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lip is formed from a pliable material.

29. The programming apparatus of claim 28, wherein the pliable material is an elastomer.

30. The programming apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of auxiliary component means for assisting in programming of an implantable medical device, each of the plurality of auxiliary component means interfacing with computer circuitry via separate cables, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the separate cables within the storage compartment.

31. The programming apparatus of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary component means is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic programming head, a stylus and patient ECG leads.

24. A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus comprising:

housing means containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component means and associated cable for assisting with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component means is selectively moveable relative to the housing means; and

retaining means disposed with the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment, wherein the retaining means comprises a lip extending at least partially along a perimeter of the storage compartment, and wherein the lip forms at least one gap along a length thereof, the gap being configured to guide the cable outwardly from the storage compartment.

27. A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus comprising:

housing means containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component means and associated cable for assisting with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component means is selectively moveable relative to the housing means;

retaining means disposed with the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment; and

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position, wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component and the cable in the closed position, and wherein the lip forms a gap along a length thereof and the cover forms a recess corresponding with the gap, such that in the closed position, the cable freely extends from the storage compartment through an opening formed by the gap and the recess.

32. An implantable medical device system comprising:

a programming apparatus comprising;

a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component and associated cable configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component is selectively moveable relative to the housing;

a lip extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment;

wherein the lip extends over the storage compartment to prevent upward movement of the cable from the storage compartment; and

an implantable medical device configured to be programmed by the programming apparatus.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the storage compartment is defined by a side wall extending from a bottom wall, the lip projecting inwardly from the side wall to selectively maintain the cable between the lip and the bottom wall.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the side wall terminates in an upper edge opposite the bottom wall, the lip being positioned between the upper edge and the bottom wall.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein a top surface of the lip is spaced from the upper edge by approximately 0.25 inch.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the cable extends from the storage compartment in an operational position and is stored within the storage compartment in a storage position, the lip being configured to prevent the cable from contacting the upper edge in the storage position.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein a portion of the cable abuts a lower surface of the lip in the storage position.

38. The system of claim 32, wherein the lip is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of the cable.

40. The system of claim 32, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the auxiliary component.

41. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position; and

wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component and the cable in the closed position.

43. The system of claim 32, wherein the lip is formed from a pliable material.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the pliable material is an elastomer.

45. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

a plurality of auxiliary components for assisting in programming the implantable medical device, each of the plurality of auxiliary components interfacing with the computer circuitry via separate cables, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the separate cables within the storage compartment.

46. The system of claim 32, wherein the auxiliary component is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic programming head, a stylus and patient ECG leads.

39. An implantable medical device system comprising:

a programming apparatus comprising;

a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component and associated cable configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component interfacing with the computer circuitry via said associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component is selectively moveable relative to the housing;

a lip extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment;

wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the cable within the storage compartment; and

an implantable medical device configured to be programmed by the programming apparatus, wherein the lip forms at least one gap along a length thereof, the gap being configured to guide the cable outwardly from the storage compartment.

42. An implantable medical device system comprising:

a programming apparatus comprising;

a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

at least one auxiliary component configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component interfacing with the computer circuitry via an associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component is selectively moveable relative to the housing;

a lip extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of and over the storage compartment;

wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the cable within the storage compartment;

an implantable medical device configured to be programmed by the programming apparatus; and

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position, wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component and the cable in the closed position, and wherein the lip forms a gap along a length thereof and the cover forms a recess corresponding with the gap, such that in the closed position, the cable freely extends from the storage compartment through an opening formed by the gap and the recess.

47. An implantable medical device system comprising:

programming means comprising;

housing means containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

display means operatively coupled to the computer circuitry;

at least one auxiliary component means configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via an associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component means is selectively moveable relative to the housing means;

retaining means extending over the storage compartment and preventing upward movement of the cable from the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment; and

an implantable medical device configured to be programmed by the programming means.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the retaining means comprises a lip extending at least partially along a perimeter of the storage compartment.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the storage compartment is defined by a side wall extending from a bottom wall, the lip projecting inwardly from the side wall to selectively maintain the cable between the lip and the bottom wall.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the side wall terminates in an upper edge opposite the bottom wall, the lip being positioned between the upper edge and the bottom wall.

51. The programming apparatus of claim 50, wherein a top surface of the lip is spaced from the upper edge by approximately 0.25 inch.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the cable extends from the storage compartment in an operational position and is stored within the storage compartment in a storage position, the lip being configured to prevent the cable from contacting the upper edge in the storage position.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein a portion of the cable abuts a lower surface of the lip in the storage position.

54. The system of claim 48, wherein the lip is configured to frictionally engage at least a portion of the cable.

56. The system of claim 48, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the auxiliary component.

57. The programming apparatus of claim 48, further comprising:

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position; and

wherein the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component means and the cable in the closed position.

59. The system of claim 48, wherein the lip is formed from a pliable material.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the pliable material is an elastomer.

61. The system of claim 48, wherein the programming means further includes a plurality of auxiliary component means for assisting in programming the implantable medical device, each of the plurality of auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via separate cables, wherein the lip is configured to selectively maintain the separate cables within the storage compartment.

62. The system of claim 47, wherein the auxiliary component means is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic programming head, a stylus and patient ECG leads.

55. An implantable medical device system comprising:

programming means comprising;

housing means containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

display means operatively coupled to the computer circuitry;

at least one auxiliary component means configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via an associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component means is selectively moveable relative to the housing means;

retaining means disposed with the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment; and

an implantable medical device configured to be programmed by the programming means, wherein the retaining means comprises a lip extending at least partially along a perimeter of the storage compartment, and wherein the lip forms at least one gap along a length thereof, the gap being configured to guide the cable outwardly from the storage compartment.

58. An implantable medical device system comprising:

programming means comprising;

housing means containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment;

display means operatively coupled to the computer circuitry;

at least one auxiliary component means configured to assist with programming of an implantable medical device, the at least one auxiliary component means interfacing with the computer circuitry via an associated cable such that the at least one auxiliary component means is selectively moveable relative to the housing means;

retaining means disposed with the storage compartment for selectively maintaining the cable within the storage compartment;

an implantable medical device configured to be programmed by the programming means; and

a cover associated with the housing for selectively enclosing the storage compartment in a closed position, wherein the retaining means comprises a lip extending at least partially along a perimeter of the storage compartment, and the lip is configured to prevent the cover from damaging the at least one auxiliary component means and the cable in the closed position, and wherein the lip forms a gap along a length thereof and the cover forms a recess corresponding with the gap, such that in the closed position, the cable freely extends from the storage compartment through an opening formed by the gap and the recess.

63. A method of using a programming apparatus for an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus including a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment, a cover for selectively enclosing the storage compartment, a lip extending inwardly along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment, and at least one auxiliary component configured to assist in programming the implantable medical device and interfacing with the computer circuitry via a flexible cable, the method comprising the steps of:

removing the auxiliary component from the storage compartment, the auxiliary component remaining operatively coupled to the computer circuitry by the cable;

programming the implantable medical device with the programming device;

positioning the auxiliary component within the storage compartment;

restraining the cable within the storage compartment by the lip; and

enclosing the storage compartment with the cover, wherein the lip extends partially over the storage compartment, preventing upward movement of the cable from the storage compartment, and protects the cable from being damaged by the cover.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the lip defines an upper surface and a lower surface, and further wherein restraining the cable within the storage compartment further includes the step of abutting at least a portion of the cable against the lower surface.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the lower surface frictionally engages the cable.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein the programming apparatus further includes a plurality of auxiliary components each configured to assist with programming of the implantable medical device and interfacing with the computer circuitry via a separate cables, the method further comprising the step of:

restraining the separate cables within the storage compartment by the lip.

66. A method of using a programming apparatus for an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus including a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment, a cover for selectively enclosing the storage compartment, a lip extending inwardly along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment, and at least one auxiliary component configured to assist in programming the implantable medical device and interfacing with the computer circuitry via a flexible cable, the method comprising the steps of:

removing the auxiliary component from the storage compartment, the auxiliary component remaining operatively coupled to the computer circuitry by the cable;

programming the implantable medical device with the programming device;

positioning the auxiliary component within the storage compartment;

restraining the cable within the storage compartment by the lip; and

enclosing the storage compartment with the cover, wherein the lip protects the cable from being damaged by the cover, the lip defining an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein restraining the cable within the storage compartment further includes the step of abutting at least a portion of the cable against the lower surface, and further wherein enclosing the storage compartment with the cover further includes the step of contacting the upper surface of the lip with the cover.

67. A method of using a programming apparatus for an implantable medical device, the programming apparatus including a housing containing computer circuitry and defining a storage compartment, a cover for selectively enclosing the storage compartment, a lip extending inwardly along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment, and at least one auxiliary component configured to assist in programming the implantable medical device and interfacing with the computer circuitry via a flexible cable, the method comprising the steps of:

removing the auxiliary component from the storage compartment, the auxiliary component remaining operatively coupled to the computer circuitry by the cable;

programming the implantable medical device with the programming device;

positioning the auxiliary component within the storage compartment;

restraining the cable within the storage compartment by the lip; and

enclosing the storage compartment with the cover, wherein the lip protects the cable from being damaged by the cover, the lip defining an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein restraining the cable within the storage compartment further includes the step of abutting at least a portion of the cable against the lower surface, and further wherein the lip forms a gap and the cover forms a recess corresponding with the gap and further wherein removing the auxiliary component from the storage compartment further includes the steps of;

extending the auxiliary component from the storage compartment such that the cable passes through the gap; and

placing the cover over the storage compartment, wherein the cable extends through an opening defined by the gap and the recess.