Methods and systems for semi-automatic adjustment of medical monitoring and treatment
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting a treatment protocol in a system having an implantable stimulator, the method comprising the steps of:
- configuring a processor within the system for selectively setting between (1) a fully automatic mode, and (2) a semi-automatic mode of operation, wherein a mode of operation may be selectively and reversibly switched between said fully automatic mode and said semi-automatic mode of operation;
wherein when said fully automatic mode of operation has been selected, operation of said system is devoid of either requesting or awaiting a patient'"'"'s input and when said semi-automatic mode of operation has been selected;
the processor in the semi-automatic mode of operation being further configured for;
determining whether an adjustment of the treatment protocol is needed for implementing an adjustment of the treatment provided by the implantable stimulator by implementing the following steps;
proposing the adjustment of the treatment to the patient by automatically sending an alert signal to the patient, said alert signal being selected from the group consisting of visual signal, auditory signal, vibrotactile signal, or textual signal;
delaying implementation of the adjustment of the treatment protocol for a specified time interval awaiting a patient response; and
,operating the processor to implement a patient response rule that is responsive to (a) a predetermined patient response, or (b) no patient response provided by the patient within a selected interval.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient'"'"'s response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.
61 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting a treatment protocol in a system having an implantable stimulator, the method comprising the steps of:
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configuring a processor within the system for selectively setting between (1) a fully automatic mode, and (2) a semi-automatic mode of operation, wherein a mode of operation may be selectively and reversibly switched between said fully automatic mode and said semi-automatic mode of operation; wherein when said fully automatic mode of operation has been selected, operation of said system is devoid of either requesting or awaiting a patient'"'"'s input and when said semi-automatic mode of operation has been selected; the processor in the semi-automatic mode of operation being further configured for; determining whether an adjustment of the treatment protocol is needed for implementing an adjustment of the treatment provided by the implantable stimulator by implementing the following steps; proposing the adjustment of the treatment to the patient by automatically sending an alert signal to the patient, said alert signal being selected from the group consisting of visual signal, auditory signal, vibrotactile signal, or textual signal; delaying implementation of the adjustment of the treatment protocol for a specified time interval awaiting a patient response; and
,operating the processor to implement a patient response rule that is responsive to (a) a predetermined patient response, or (b) no patient response provided by the patient within a selected interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification