Interface for implantable medical device programming

• US 9,968,732 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Drew, Touby A., Goetz, Steven M., Alme, Sarah B., Shen, Jiaying, Joglekar, Ajinkya M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sitta, Grant
• Application Number:
  US12/502,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20100010646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,227 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-173, 715600
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An implantable medical device is capable of delivering therapeutic output to a patient. A controller, programmable by a medical professional, is operatively coupled to the implantable medical device to, in part, program the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient. The controller has an interface allowing the medical professional to graphically select an amount of the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient in at least one of a series of discrete timer intervals. The graphic selection may be aided by the use of a light pen or other pointing device to sketch the infusion pattern. Computer programs using algorithms may be utilized to translate the information inputted through the light pen into an infusion program.

Claims

1. A method for programming a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a graphical user interface of a programmer of the medical device, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes, each of the multiple strokes being drawn by the pointing device being engaged with the graphical user interface; and

translating, by the programmer, the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device into a therapy delivery schedule, wherein translating the figures comprises translating the multiple strokes,

wherein at least one of the multiple strokes drawn by the pointing device within a screen of the graphical user interface is not connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen,

and wherein receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages the graphical user interface, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes further comprises receiving at least one of the multiple strokes that is spatially separated from the other strokes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the figures that were drawn with a pointing device comprises using one of rectilinear patterns or a best-curve-fit feature.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device comprises translating each of the multiple strokes into a separate dose before receiving another one of the multiple strokes.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device comprises translating all of the multiple strokes after all of the multiple strokes are received.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein translating the figures comprises interpreting each of the strokes to create a respective infusion pattern.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages the graphical user interface, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes further comprises receiving imprecise marks and wherein translating the multiple figures comprises correcting or ignoring the imprecise marks.

2. A method for programming a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a graphical user interface of a programmer of the medical device, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes, each of the multiple strokes being drawn by the pointing device being engaged with the graphical user interface; and

translating, by the programmer, the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device into a therapy delivery schedule, wherein translating the figures comprises translating the multiple strokes,

wherein at least one of the multiple strokes drawn by the pointing device within a screen of the graphical user interface is not connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, and

wherein receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages the graphical user interface, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes further comprises receiving, via input drawn with one or more of a mouse, light pen, stylus, joystick, or trackball, one or more figures comprising multiple strokes.

3. A method for programming a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a graphical user interface of a programmer of the medical device, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes, each of the multiple strokes being drawn by the pointing device being engaged with the graphical user interface; and

translating, by the programmer, the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device into a therapy delivery schedule, wherein translating the figures comprises translating the multiple strokes,

and wherein at least one of the multiple strokes drawn by the pointing device within a screen of the graphical user interface is not connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen,

and wherein receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages the graphical user interface, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes further comprises receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a digitizing tablet, one or more figures.

4. A programmer for an implantable medical device comprising:

an interface configured to allow a user to graphically sketch one or more portions of an infusion program using a pointing device, the graphically sketched one or more portions comprising multiple strokes within a screen of the graphical user interface, at least one of the multiple strokes within the screen not being connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, the sketched infusion program including at least one dosage amount scheduled to run over a desired time duration, both the dosage amount and the time duration created by the shape and location of the sketch; and

a computer configured to interpret the sketch, and

wherein the interface is configured to allow the pointing device to engage and disengage the interface for each of the strokes.

23. The programmer of claim 4, wherein each of the multiple strokes is spatially separated from others of the multiple strokes.

26. The programmer of claim 4, wherein the interface is configured to allow curves or slanted lines to be received and wherein the computer is configured to interpret the curves or slanted lines as increasing or decreasing rates.

5. A method of creating an infusion program for a medical device using a controller, comprising:

presenting an interface that includes a graphical drawing tablet, wherein the graphical drawing tablet includes a screen comprising one axis for time and one axis for dosage rate;

receiving within the screen a pattern comprising multiple strokes drawn using a pointing device to indicate the desired dosage and time, at least one of the multiple strokes within the screen not being connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen; and

analyzing, via the controller, the pattern comprising the multiple strokes drawn using a pointing device to obtain a therapy delivery schedule,

wherein receiving the pattern comprises allowing the interface to be engaged and disengaged for each of the strokes.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein analyzing the pattern drawn using a pointing device to obtain a therapy delivery schedule comprises using one of rectilinear patterns or a best-curve-fit feature.

27. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the pattern comprises receiving a pattern comprising multiple disconnected strokes and analyzing the pattern comprises analyzing the multiple disconnected strokes.

28. The method of claim 5, wherein analyzing the pattern comprises interpreting each of the strokes to create a respective infusion pattern.

29. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the pattern comprises receiving imprecise marks and wherein analyzing the pattern comprises correcting or ignoring the imprecise marks.

30. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the pattern comprises receiving curves or slanted lines and wherein translating the pattern comprises interpreting the curves or slanted lines as increasing or decreasing rates.

6. A method for editing a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

displaying, via a graphical user interface of a programmer for the medical device, one or more figures comprising strokes drawn with a pointing device on the graphical user interface, the figures representing the desired therapy schedule, each figure representing a therapy dosage;

receiving via the pointing device an edit drawn on one or more of the figures, whereby the edit comprises clicking and dragging to at least one of expand or contract one of the figures along a first axis to increase or decrease the duration of the therapy dosage represented by the figure and expand or contract one of the figures along a second axis to increase or decrease the rate of delivery of the therapy dosage represented by figure; and

translating, via the programmer, the edit drawn via the pointing device to obtain a modified therapy delivery schedule.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the graphical user interface comprises a touch screen.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein receiving via a pointing device an edit drawn on one or more of the figures further comprises expanding or contracting the figures with one or more of a mouse, light pen, stylus, joystick, or trackball.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein translating the edit drawn via the pointing device to obtain a new therapy delivery schedule comprises using one of rectilinear patterns or a best-curve-fit feature.

9. A programmer for an implantable medical device capable of delivering therapeutic output to a patient comprising:

an interface through which one or more portions of an infusion program are entered by drawing with a pointing device on the interface and are graphically displayed via the interface as one or more figures, each figure graphically representing a dosage rate and a dosage duration by the size and shape of the figure; and

a pointing device configured to edit one or more of the figures by clicking and dragging one of the figures along a first axis to increase or decrease one or more dosage durations or by clicking and dragging one of the figures along a second axis to increase or decrease one or more dosage rates, wherein the programmer is configured to translate the edits made to the one or more figures via the pointing device into changes to the infusion program.

15. The programmer of claim 9, wherein the programmer is configured to translate the edits made to the one or more figures via the pointing device using one of rectilinear patterns or a best-curve-fit feature.

11. A programmer for an implantable medical device comprising:

an interface configured to allow a user to graphically sketch one or more portions of an infusion program using a pointing device, the graphically sketched one or more portions comprising multiple strokes within a screen of the graphical user interface, at least one of the multiple strokes within the screen not being connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, the sketched infusion program including at least one dosage amount scheduled to run over a desired time duration, both the dosage amount and the time duration created by the shape and location of the sketch; and

a computer configured to interpret the sketch,

wherein the computer is configured to interpret the sketch using one of rectilinear patterns or a best-curve-fit feature.

12. A programmer for an implantable medical device comprising:

an interface configured to allow a user to graphically sketch one or more portions of an infusion program using a pointing device, the graphically sketched one or more portions comprising multiple strokes within a screen of the graphical user interface, at least one of the multiple strokes within the screen not being connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, the sketched infusion program including at least one dosage amount scheduled to run over a desired time duration, both the dosage amount and the time duration created by the shape and location of the sketch; and

a computer configured to interpret the sketch,

wherein the interface is configured to allow a user to modify via the pointing device a portion of the infusion program sketched using the pointing device, and wherein the computer is configured to interpret the modified portion.

18. A method for programming a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a graphical user interface of a programmer of the medical device, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes, each of the multiple strokes being drawn by the pointing device being engaged with the graphical user interface; and

translating, by the programmer, the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device into a therapy delivery schedule, wherein translating the figures comprises translating the multiple strokes,

wherein at least one of the multiple strokes drawn by the pointing device within a screen of the graphical user interface is not connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, and wherein receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages the graphical user interface, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes further comprises allowing the pointing device to engage and disengage the graphical user interface for each of the strokes.

21. A method for programming a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a graphical user interface of a programmer of the medical device, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes, each of the multiple strokes being drawn by the pointing device being engaged with the graphical user interface; and

translating, by the programmer, the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device into a therapy delivery schedule, wherein translating the figures comprises translating the multiple strokes,

wherein at least one of the multiple strokes drawn by the pointing device within a screen of the graphical user interface is not connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, and

wherein receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages the graphical user interface, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes comprises receiving curves or slanted lines and wherein translating the multiple figures further comprises interpreting the curves or slanted lines as increasing or decreasing rates.

22. A programmer for an implantable medical device comprising:

an interface configured to allow a user to graphically sketch one or more portions of an infusion program using a pointing device, the graphically sketched one or more portions comprising multiple strokes within a screen of the graphical user interface, at least one of the multiple strokes within the screen not being connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, the sketched infusion program including at least one dosage amount scheduled to run over a desired time duration, both the dosage amount and the time duration created by the shape and location of the sketch; and

a computer configured to interpret the sketch, and

wherein the computer is configured to translate each of the strokes to create a respective infusion pattern.

24. A programmer for an implantable medical device comprising:

an interface configured to allow a user to graphically sketch one or more portions of an infusion program using a pointing device, the graphically sketched one or more portions comprising multiple strokes within a screen of the graphical user interface, at least one of the multiple strokes within the screen not being connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, the sketched infusion program including at least one dosage amount scheduled to run over a desired time duration, both the dosage amount and the time duration created by the shape and location of the sketch; and

a computer configured to interpret the sketch, and

wherein the interface is configured to allow imprecise marks to be received and wherein the computer is configured to correct or ignore the imprecise marks.

25. The programmer of claim 24, wherein the imprecise marks comprise overlapping strokes.

31. A method for programming a therapy delivery schedule of a medical device comprising:

receiving, via input drawn with a pointing device that engages a graphical user interface of a programmer of the medical device, one or more figures representing the desired therapy schedule, the one or more figures comprising multiple strokes, each of the multiple strokes being drawn by the pointing device being engaged with the graphical user interface; and

translating, by the programmer, the figures that were received via input drawn with the pointing device into a therapy delivery schedule, wherein translating the figures comprises translating the multiple strokes,

wherein at least one of the multiple strokes drawn by the pointing device within a screen of the graphical user interface is not connected to any other of the multiple strokes within the screen, and wherein each of the multiple strokes comprises an electronic ink stroke.

32. A system, comprising:

a medical device;

an interface comprising a display screen;

a device configured to engage the interface to allow a user to draw multiple marks that are visible on the display screen at once, wherein at least one of the multiple marks is not connected to any other of the multiple marks that are visible on the display screen; and

logic configured to translate the multiple marks within the display screen into a therapy delivery schedule for the medical device.