Tactile feedback for indicating validity of communication link with an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for indicating the relative signal strength for a telemetry system when said telemetry system communicates information between an external device and an implantable medical device, comprising:
- an external transceiver unit coupled to an external device;
an internal transceiver unit coupled to an implantable medical device;
indicator means coupled to said external transceiver unit for continuously providing a first tactile indication of relative signal strength of the external transceiver unit and the internal transceiver unit, wherein said tactile indication has a common frequency characteristic and said tactile indication has a greater magnitude for a relatively high signal strength than for a relatively low signal strength.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Implantable medical device telemetry is provided between an implantable medical device and an external communication device. The implantable medical device includes a device transmitter and/or a device receiver. The external communication device includes a moveable communication head including an antenna therein connected to at least one of an external transmitter and/or an external receiver for communication with the device transmitter and/or the device receiver of the implantable medical device. A user moves the moveable head apparatus relative to the implantable medical device. Tactile feedback is provided to the user via the moveable head apparatus upon movement of the moveable head apparatus to a position where valid telemetry can be performed.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An apparatus for indicating the relative signal strength for a telemetry system when said telemetry system communicates information between an external device and an implantable medical device, comprising:
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an external transceiver unit coupled to an external device;
an internal transceiver unit coupled to an implantable medical device;
indicator means coupled to said external transceiver unit for continuously providing a first tactile indication of relative signal strength of the external transceiver unit and the internal transceiver unit, wherein said tactile indication has a common frequency characteristic and said tactile indication has a greater magnitude for a relatively high signal strength than for a relatively low signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
a vibrating motor;
an electrical solenoid;
an electrical relay contact;
ora piezoelectric device.
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7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in lieu of a continuously providing said first tactile indication the indicating means provides said first tactile indication for a predetermined period of time and then ceases providing said first tactile indication upon expiration of said predetermined period of time.
Specification