Key fob controller for an implantable neurostimulator
First Claim
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1. A pocket controller that is operable by a patient and that is configured to adjust a plurality of operational parameters defining a stimulation program to be performed by an implantable medical device within the patient, the pocket controller comprising:
- a housing comprising a smaller form factor than a form factor of a patient controller that offers a greater number of control options than the pocket controller and that also communicates with the implantable medical device to adjust a plurality of the operational parameters of the implantable medical device, wherein the plurality of operational parameters adjustable with the pocket controller is less than a plurality of operational parameters that are adjustable by the patient controller;
a user interface configured to receive input from the patient to select, from the plurality of operational parameters adjustable with the pocket controller, configured to receive a selected operational parameter that is to be adjusted by the patient using the pocket controller, and configured to receive input from the patient indicating an adjustment to the selected operational parameter;
a communication module that is configured to be compatible with a receiver provided to the implantable medical device to transmit a signal indicative of the adjustment from the pocket controller to the implantable medical device and that is configured to receive information from the implantable medical device; and
a control module comprising a processor that is configured to convey the signal indicative of the adjustment entered via the user interface to the communication module to be transmitted to the implantable medical device, whereinsaid control module is configured to communicate with the implantable medical device using said communication module to request information from said implantable medical device about which stimulation programs are currently available in the implantable medical device for use by the user, said information being stored in the control module, whereinsaid control module is adapted for accepting user inputs for modifying settings of those stimulation programs currently available in the implantable medical device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods incorporate the most-used functions of a electrical stimulator'"'"'s controller into a small, thin pocket controller that is not only comfortable to carry in a pocket, but can also be attached to a key ring, lanyard, or other such carrying device for ease of daily use. A separate patient controller charger is used to charge and control the implanted medical device.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A pocket controller that is operable by a patient and that is configured to adjust a plurality of operational parameters defining a stimulation program to be performed by an implantable medical device within the patient, the pocket controller comprising:
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a housing comprising a smaller form factor than a form factor of a patient controller that offers a greater number of control options than the pocket controller and that also communicates with the implantable medical device to adjust a plurality of the operational parameters of the implantable medical device, wherein the plurality of operational parameters adjustable with the pocket controller is less than a plurality of operational parameters that are adjustable by the patient controller; a user interface configured to receive input from the patient to select, from the plurality of operational parameters adjustable with the pocket controller, configured to receive a selected operational parameter that is to be adjusted by the patient using the pocket controller, and configured to receive input from the patient indicating an adjustment to the selected operational parameter; a communication module that is configured to be compatible with a receiver provided to the implantable medical device to transmit a signal indicative of the adjustment from the pocket controller to the implantable medical device and that is configured to receive information from the implantable medical device; and a control module comprising a processor that is configured to convey the signal indicative of the adjustment entered via the user interface to the communication module to be transmitted to the implantable medical device, wherein said control module is configured to communicate with the implantable medical device using said communication module to request information from said implantable medical device about which stimulation programs are currently available in the implantable medical device for use by the user, said information being stored in the control module, wherein said control module is adapted for accepting user inputs for modifying settings of those stimulation programs currently available in the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for treating a patient, the system comprising:
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an implantable medical device that is configured to be implanted in the patient to execute stimulation programs to be performed on the patient, wherein said internal treatment routine is governed by a plurality of operational parameters; a clinician programmer configured for use by a health care provider for programming the implantable medical device with the stimulation programs; a patient controller that is configured to communicate with the implantable medical device and is also configured to be placed in possession of the patient to allow the patient to adjust a plurality of the operational parameters of the stimulation programs previously programmed by the clinician programmer in the implantable medical device that is implanted in the patient; and a pocket controller that is configured to communicate with the implantable medical device for requesting information from said implantable medical device about which stimulation programs are currently available in the implantable medical device for use by the user, said pocket controller being configured to be placed in possession of the patient, said pocket controller comprising a smaller form factor than a form factor of the patient controller, wherein said pocket controller is configured to be usable by the patient to adjust a plurality of, but less than all of the operational parameters of the stimulation programs currently available in implantable medical device that are adjustable with the patient controller, said pocket controller comprising; a user interface that is configured to be usable by the patient to select, from the plurality of operational parameters, a selected operational parameter that is to be adjusted by the patient using the pocket controller, and that is configured to input or select an adjustment to the selected operational parameter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for treating a patient, the system comprising:
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an implantable electrical stimulation device that is configured to be implanted in the patient and that is configured to execute an electrical stimulation program to be performed on the patient, wherein said electrical stimulation program is governed by a plurality of operational parameters; a clinician programmer configured for use by a health care provider for programming the implantable medical device with said stimulation program; a patient controller that is configured to communicate with the implantable electrical stimulation device and is configured to be placed in possession of the patient to allow the patient to adjust the plurality of operational parameters of the program programmed by the clinician programmer while the implantable electrical stimulation device is implanted in the patient, said plurality of operational parameters comprising an amplitude of an individual electrical pulse to be emitted by the implantable electrical stimulation device relative to an amplitude of another electrical pulse to be emitted by the implantable electrical stimulation device; and a pocket controller that is configured to communicate with the implantable electrical stimulation device and that is configured to be placed in possession of the patient, said pocket controller comprising a smaller form factor than a form factor of the patient controller, wherein said pocket controller is configured to be usable by the patient to adjust a plurality of, but less than all of the operational parameters of the program programmed by the clinician programmer that are adjustable by the patient controller, wherein one of the operational parameters adjustable via the pocket controller comprises a global amplitude of electrical pulses in a series of electrical pulses to be emitted by the implantable electrical stimulation device, said pocket controller further comprising; a user interface that is configured to be usable by the patient to input an adjustment of each of the plurality of operational parameters, a communication module and control module that are configured to communicate with the implantable electrical stimulation device for requesting information from the implantable electrical stimulation device about which stimulation programs are currently available in the implantable medical device for use by the patient, and a display device that is configured to display at least one of a status of a battery provided to power the implantable electrical stimulation device, a status of a battery provided to power the pocket controller, an operational status of the implantable electrical stimulation device, and information concerning one or more of the operational parameters of the stimulation programs that are currently available in the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of familiarizing a patient with a programmer for controlling execution of a treatment routine to be performed on the patient using an implanted electrical stimulation device, wherein said treatment routine is governed by a plurality of operational parameters controlling said implanted electrical stimulation device, the method comprising:
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providing the patient with a first pocket controller that communicates with a temporary, trial electrical stimulation device supported externally of the patient during a trial period to perform the treatment routine, wherein said trial period is to determine whether the treatment routine performed by the external electrical stimulation device is beneficial to the patient; in response to a determination that the treatment routine is beneficial to the patient, programming the implanted electrical stimulation device with one or more stimulation programs using the plurality of operational parameters, said programming being performed in a clinical setting by a specially trained personnel; establishing communication between the first pocket controller and the implanted electrical stimulation device or establishing communication between a second pocket controller, which is substantially-similar to the first pocket controller, and the implanted electrical stimulation device to request information from the implanted electrical stimulation device about which stimulation programs are current available in the stimulation device, said established communication further configured to change a subset of the plurality of the operational parameters of the stimulations programs that have been indicated as being currently available in the stimulation device, wherein said first pocket controller or said second pocket controller used for said establishing step cannot be used by the trained personnel for said programming step; and establishing communication between a patient controller to be provided to the patient and the implanted electrical stimulation device to change a greater number of the operational parameters than a number of the subset of said operational parameters that are adjustable using the first or second pocket controllers, wherein said patient controller cannot be used by the trained personnel for said programming step. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of providing a stimulation therapy for a patient using an implanted electrical stimulation device, said method comprising:
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providing specially trained personnel with a clinician controller that communicates directly with the implanted medical device; establishing communication between the clinician controller and the implanted electrical stimulation device for programming the implanted electrical stimulation device with one or more stimulation programs using the plurality of operational parameters, said programming being performed in a clinical setting by the specially trained personnel; providing the patient with a portable controller that communicates with the implanted electrical stimulation device; establishing communication between the portable controller and the implanted electrical stimulation device to change a subset of less than all of the plurality of the operational parameters, wherein said patient controller is used by the patient outside of the clinical setting and cannot be used by the trained personnel for said programming step, such that said established communication includes the step of requesting information from said implantable medical device that includes information about which stimulation programs are currently available in the implantable medical device for use by the user, and said portable controller accepting user inputs limited to modifying settings of those stimulation programs that are currently available in the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification