Context-sensitive collection of neurostimulation therapy data

• US 7,647,117 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bauhahn, Ruth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman; Mark W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bertram; Eric D
• Application Number:
  US11/331,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 607/30, 607/46, 607/48, 607 55- 60, 607/63, 607117-118, 607/137
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36132 using patient feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Techniques for collection and management of data relating to neurostimulation therapy involve selection of questions for the user to answer based on the context of the therapy delivered by the neurostimulation device at the time the questions are presented. In this manner, appropriate data may be collected for specific contexts. The techniques may involve storage of answers to the questions with information indicative of the contexts. Information indicative of the contexts may include information relating to the types of neurostimulation therapy requests made by the patient, stimulation settings associated with the neurostimulation therapy, and data and time information. The techniques may be implemented by neurostimulation therapy interface device such as a patient programmer that controls operation of an implanted neurostimulation device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a neurostimulation therapy control request from a patient via a neurostimulation therapy interface device to control delivery of neurostimulation therapy by a neurostimulation device implanted within the patient, wherein the therapy control request includes an adjustment to the neurostimulation therapy;

detecting a context associated with the request;

selecting one or more questions from a memory associated with the neurostimulation therapy interface device based on the detected context associated with the request, wherein selecting the one or more questions comprises selecting one or more different questions based on different detected contexts; and

presenting the selected questions to the patient via the neurostimulation therapy interface device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a series of questions based on the context associated with the request.

3. The method of claim of claim 2, further comprising:

obtaining answers to the questions; and

storing information relating to the answers, the context associated with the request, and one or more settings associated with neurostimulation therapy associated with the request.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the settings include pulse amplitude, pulse width, and pulse rate.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the information further includes a date and time of the answers.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving additional therapy control requests, wherein at least some of the additional therapy control requests include requests to start delivery of the neurostimulation therapy or requests to stop delivery of the neurostimulation therapy, and wherein the information relating to the context associated with the request indicates whether the request included an adjustment to the neurostimulation therapy, a request to start the neurostimulation therapy, or a request to stop the neurostimulation therapy.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising storing the information in the memory associated with the neurostimulation therapy interface device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving additional therapy control requests, wherein at least some of the additional therapy control requests include a request to start delivery of the neurostimulation therapy, and a request to stop delivery of the neurostimulation therapy.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising directing delivery of a response to each of the requests.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein directing delivery of a response to the request includes directing one of delivering neurostimulation therapy to the patient, modifying one or more parameters associated with neurostimulation therapy delivered to the patient, and delivering a placebo neurostimulation therapy to the patient.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the questions include a question relating to intake of medication by the patient, a question relating to a level of activity by the patient, a question relating to specification of one or more sites of pain within the patient, and a query relating to a degree of pain relief achieved by neurostimulation therapy associated with the request.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the questions further include a question relating to a quality of pain experienced by the patient.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the questions include a question relating to one of a pain syndrome and a movement disorder.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the questions are formulated by a clinician responsible for care of the patient.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving answers to the selected questions from the patient via the neurostimulation therapy interface; and

storing information relating to the answers, the context associated with the request, and one or more settings associated with neurostimulation therapy associated with the request.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the settings include pulse amplitude, pulse width, and pulse rate.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the information further includes a date and time of the answers.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving additional therapy control requests, wherein at least some of the additional therapy control requests include requests to start delivery of the neurostimulation therapy or requests to stop delivery of the neurostimulation therapy, and wherein the information relating to the context associated with the request indicates whether the request included an adjustment to the neurostimulation therapy, a request to start the neurostimulation therapy, or a request to stop the neurostimulation therapy.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the neurostimulation therapy interface device includes a patient programmer device.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment to the neurostimulation therapy includes selection of a program that specifies a combination of stimulation settings for the neurostimulation device.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment to the neurostimulation therapy includes selection of a program that specifies a combination of electrodes of the neurostimulation device.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment to the neurostimulation therapy includes a request to modify settings for neurostimulation therapy associated with the request.

23. A method comprising:

receiving neurostimulation therapy control requests from a patient via a neurostimulation therapy interface device, wherein at least some of the therapy control requests include adjustments to neurostimulation therapy delivered by a neurostimulation device to the patient;

controlling the neurostimulation device based on the therapy control requests received from the patient;

detecting a context associated with the request;

selecting one or more questions based on the detected context associated with the request, wherein selecting the one or more questions comprises selecting one or more different questions based on different detected contexts; and

presenting the selected questions to the patient via the neurostimulation therapy interface device.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising selecting a series of questions based on the context associated with the request.

25. The method of claim of claim 24, further comprising:

obtaining answers to the questions; and

storing information relating to the answers, the context associated with the request, and one or more settings associated with neurostimulation therapy associated with the request.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the settings include pulse amplitude, pulse width, and pulse rate.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the information further includes a date and time of the answers.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising storing the information in a memory associated with the neurostimulation therapy interface device.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the neurostimulation therapy interface device includes a patient programmer device.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the adjustments to the neurostimulation therapy include selection of a program that specifies a combination of stimulation settings for the neurostimulation device.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the adjustments to the neurostimulation therapy include selection of a program that specifies a combination of electrodes of the neurostimulation device.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the adjustments to the neurostimulation therapy include a request to modify settings for neurostimulation therapy associated with the request.