External controller/charger system for an implantable medical device capable of automatically providing data telemetry through a charging coil during a charging session

• US 9,031,665 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2013
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Aghassian, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): MALAMUD, DEBORAH LESLIE
• Application Number:
  US13/892,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20130245721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 607 1- 2, 607/16, 607/32, 607 60- 61, 607/65, 607115-116, 607/148, 343/718, 340/539.12
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

An external controller/charger system for an implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the external controller/charger system provides automatic switching between telemetry and charging without any manual intervention by the patient. The external controller/charger system includes an external controller which houses a telemetry coil and an external charging coil coupled to the external controller. Normally, a charging session is carried out using the external charging coil, and a telemetry session is carried out using the telemetry coil. However, when a patient requests to carry out telemetry during a charging session, the external charging coil is used instead of the internal telemetry coil.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with an implantable medical device using an external system, comprising:

providing power to the implantable medical device from a first coil during a charging session, wherein the first coil is external to and coupled to a hand-holdable housing;

receiving a data telemetry request at a user interface of the housing to transmit first data to adjust a therapy being provided by the implantable medical device;

interrupting the charging session to transmit at least a portion of the first data through the first coil during a first data telemetry session; and

transmitting second data during a second data telemetry session through a second coil in the housing when a charging session is not occurring.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data telemetry request results from a patient'"'"'s interaction with the user interface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein interrupting the charging session comprises conducting the entire data telemetry session, and then resuming the charging session.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein interrupting the charging session comprises interleaving the data telemetry session and the charging session.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coil is tuned to a first frequency during the charging session and is tuned to a second frequency when conducting the at least a portion of the data telemetry session.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second coil is tuned to the second frequency when conducting the second data telemetry session.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coil provides power at a first frequency and transmits the first data at a second frequency.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second coil transmits the second data at the second frequency.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coil is coupled to the housing by a cable.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second data adjusts a therapy being provided by the implantable medical device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the second data occurs in response to receiving a data telemetry request at the user interface of the housing.