Approval per use implanted neurostimulator
First Claim
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1. A method of approving therapy in a patient, comprising:
- implanting a medical device in the patient;
approving a set number of approved therapies to be delivered from the medical device to the patient; and
deactivating the medical device when no approved therapies remain.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for delivering therapy from an implanted neurostimulator to a patient are provided. One feature is an external controller that acts as a gateway for therapy. The external controller can be a handheld controller that communicates wirelessly with the implanted neurostimulator. In some embodiments, the controller communicates with a database to determine a therapy approval status of the neurostimulator. Therapy can be approved by a physician prescription, or by prepayment, for example. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is deactivated when no approved therapies remain.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of approving therapy in a patient, comprising:
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implanting a medical device in the patient; approving a set number of approved therapies to be delivered from the medical device to the patient; and deactivating the medical device when no approved therapies remain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for delivering therapy to a patient, comprising:
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an implantable neurostimulator configured to deliver therapy to the patient; a database containing a count of approved therapies of the implantable neurostimulator; and an external controller in communication with the database and the implantable neurostimulator, the external controller configured to direct the implantable neurostimulator to deliver therapy to the patient if approved therapies remain. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of delivering therapy to a patient, comprising:
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implanting a neurostimulator in the patient; checking on a database a count of approved therapies of the neurostimulator; if the count of approved therapies is greater than zero, delivering therapy from the implanted neurostimulator to the patient; and deducting an approved therapy from the count of approved therapies on the database.
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Specification