Method and system of remotely controlling electrical pulses provided to nerve tissue(s) by an implanted stimulator system for neuromodulation therapies

• US 7,369,897 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2003
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neuro and Cardiac Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Neuro and Cardiac Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Widhany, Angely R., Boveja, Birinder R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman; Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/730,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,612 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607 32- 34, 607 60- 61
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network

Abstract

A method and system of remotely controlling an implanted stimulator for providing electrical pulses to nerve tissue, comprises an implantable stimulator, an interface unit, and a mobile device such as a modified PDA/cell phone (or pocket PC/cell phone). The implanted stimulator may be for vagus nerve(s), sacral plexus, spinal cord or the like. The implanted stimulator comprises an implanted pulse generator (IPG) and a stimulus-receiver module. Interrogation and programming of the implanted stimulator may be performed remotely via a modified PDA/cell phone over a wide area network. The interface unit at the patient end comprises a telemetry module, and may be part of an external stimulator or a programmer. In one aspect of the invention, in addition to remote interrogation and programming, a patient'"'"'s clinical data/information, report, and invoicing information can-be retrieved from a server, reviewed, and updated on the modified PDA/cell phone over a wide area network.

Claims

1. A method to remotely control the electrical pulses supplied to a nerve tissue by an implantable neurostimulator, using a mobile device capable of communicating and exchanging data over a wide area network, comprising the steps of:

providing an implantable neurostimulator comprising circuitry, at least one lead adapted to be in contact with nerve tissue, and coil for communication;

wherein said implantable neurostimulator comprises an implantable pulse generator module and a stimulus-receiver module that receives external stimulus signals and is capable of applying said electrical pulses independently of said pulse generator module;

providing an external interface means for networking over a wide area network to exchange data, and in communication with said implantable neurostimulator;

providing software applications means to said mobile device to communicate and exchange said data;

establishing a communication connection between said mobile device and said implantable neurostimulator via said external interface;

wherein

said communication may be initiated by a physician or a patient;

interrogating said implantable neurostimulator;

transmitting new programming information or data related to neurostimulation programs; and

updating said transmitted information on said mobile device or on a remote computer using said mobile device,

whereby said remote mobile device controls said implantable neurostimulator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said external interface further comprises an external stimulator inductively coupled to the said implanted stimulator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein further said remote mobile device is at least one of a modified PDA/cell phone, a desk lop computer, a lap-top computer, a pocket PC/cell phone, a hand-held device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said data exchange is exchange of data relevant to nerve stimulation patients comprising, patient history, nerve stimulation parameters, stimulation schedules, patient reports, patient contact information, and patient insurance information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling remotely said electric pulses, comprises at least one of monitoring, interrogating, programming, or scheduling said pulses.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said data exchange and remotely control of electrical pulses supplied to a nerve tissue are for providing therapy for at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, urological, cardiac disorders, or intractable pain treated by spinal cord stimulation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said remote mobile device further comprises software to store, edit, add, download, or upload said data.

8. A method of communicating and exchanging nerve stimulation patient related data, remotely over a wide area network for at least one of monitoring, or programming an implantable neurostimulator comprising the steps of:

providing an external interface means for networking over said wide area network;

providing said remote mobile device with means for networking over said wide area network; and

providing software application means for exchanging said nerve stimulation patient related data;

establishing a communication connection between said mobile device and said implantable neurostimulator via said external interface;

wherein said communication may be initiated by a physician or a patient;

interrogating said implantable neurostimulator, wherein said implantable neurostimulator comprises an implantable pulse generator module and a stimulus-receiver module that receives external stimulus signals and is capable of applying said electrical pulses independently of said pulse generator module;

transmitting new patient information or data related to neurostimulation programs;

updating said transmitted information on said mobile device or on a remote computer using said mobile device; and

updating billing and/or patient information on a remote computer using said mobile device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein further said implantable nerve stimulation device is adapted to be in contact with a nerve tissue, and comprises an implanted stimulus-receiver module and an implanted pulse generator (IPG) module.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said external interface is an external stimulator inductively coupled to the said implanted stimulator.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein further said remote mobile device is at least one of a modified PDA cell phone, a desk lop computer, a lap-top computer, or a pocket PC/cell phone.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said data exchange is exchange of data for nerve stimulation patients, comprising patient history, nerve stimulation parameters, stimulation schedules, patient reports, patient contact information, and patient insurance information.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said mobile device further comprises pre-stored diagnostic codes and current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for billing, automatic invoicing, or invoice templates.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein further said implanted nerve stimulator device is used for providing therapy for at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, urological, and cardiac disorders, or intractable pain treated by spinal cord stimulation.

15. A system for at least one of monitoring and programming an implanted neurostimulator device, with a remote device over a wide area network, comprising:

said implantable neurostimulator comprising circuitry, at least one lead adapted for providing electrical pulses to the nerve tissue, and a coil for communication, wherein said implantable neurostimulator comprises an implantable pulse generator module and a stimulus-receiver module that receives external stimulus signals and is capable of applying said electrical pulses independently of said pulse generator module;

an external interface means for networking over a wide area network and in communication with said implantable neurostimulator;

a remote mobile device adapted with means for networking over a wide area network;

software applications means for said mobile device, configured for communicating and exchanging data over said wide area network, and to remotely change parameters of said electric pulses provided by said neurostimulator;

a software configured and adapted for storing updated patient information in said remote mobile device; and

a software configured and adapted for updating and storing billing information in a remote computer using said remote mobile device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein further said neurostimulator is utilized for providing therapy for at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, urological, and cardiac disorders, or intractable pain treated by spinal cord stimulation.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said external interface means is adapted to be inductively coupled to said implanted neurostimulator.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said implantable nerve stimulation device further comprises an implanted stimulus-receiver module and an implanted pulse generation module (IPG).

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said external interface means further comprises an external stimulator.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein further said remote mobile device is at least one of a modified PONcell phone, a desk-top computer, a lap-top computer, an internet ready pocket PC, or an internet ready personal digital assistant.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein said data exchange is exchange of data relevant to nerve stimulation patients, comprising patient history, nerve stimulation parameters, stimulation schedules, patient reports, patient contact information, or patient insurance information.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein further said remote mobile device can store, edit, add, download, and upload said data.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein said mobile device further comprises pre-stored diagnostic codes and current procedural terminology (OPT) codes for billing, automatic invoicing, or invoice templates.

24. A system of remotely accessing patient data on a mobile device and utilizing said data to remotely control an implantable neurostimulator providing electrical pulses to a nerve tissue, comprising:

said implantable neurostimulator comprising circuitry, at least one lead adapted for providing electrical pulses to said nerve tissue, and a coil for communication;

wherein said implantable neurostimulator comprises an implantable pulse generator module and a stimulus-receiver module that receives external stimulus signals and is capable of applying said electrical pulses independently of said pulse generator module;

an external interface means for networking over a wide area network, and in communication with said implantable neurostimulator;

a remote mobile device with means for networking over a wide area network;

software applications means for said mobile device configured for;

i) communicating and exchanging data over said wide area network, ii) for remotely changing parameters of said electric pulses provided by said neurostimulator, and iii) for storing, editing, adding, downloading, and uploading said data; and

means for interrogating and remotely altering neurostimulation therapy programs over said wide area network.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein further said neurostimulator is utilized for providing therapy for at least one of neurological, neuropsychiatric, urological, and cardiac disorders, or intractable pain treated by spinal cord stimulation.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein said external interface means is adapted to be inductively coupled to said implanted neurostimulator.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein said implantable nerve stimulation device further comprises an implanted stimulus receiver module and an implanted pulse generation module (IPG).

28. The system of claim 24, wherein said external interface means further comprises an external stimulator.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein further said remote mobile device is at least one of a modified PDA/cell phone, a desk-top computer, a lap-top computer, an internet ready pocket PC, or an internet ready personal digital assistant.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein said data exchange is exchange of data for nerve stimulation patients, comprising patient history, nerve stimulation parameters, stimulation schedules, patient reports, patient contact information, and patient insurance information.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein said mobile device further comprises pre-stored diagnostic codes and current procedural terminology (CPT) codes for billing, automatic invoicing, or invoicing templates.