Audio feedback for implantable medical device instruments

• US H1,347 H
• Filed: 11/09/1992
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel R. Greeninger, David L. Thompson
• Original Assignee: Daniel R. Greeninger, David L. Thompson
• Inventors: Greeninger, Daniel R., Thompson, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, David
• Application Number:
  US79/733,58
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 1286535, 128903, 607030, 607032, 607060
• CPC Class Codes: N/A

Abstract

A method and apparatus for interpreting and displaying the status and diagnostic data of, and/or programming an implantable medical device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microprocessor with multiple executable programs; data entry means, such as a keyboard or light pen; a display means such as a screen display and/or a printer; and may include a receiver and transmitter means for remote programming and interrogation of the implantable medical device. The apparatus further includes a stored audio signal to represent the status and diagnostic values of the implantable medical device.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for programming implantable medical devices, said programming apparatus having a data entry means for receiving and entering by operator manipulations, manifestations controlling operation of said medical device;

(a) having a transmitter means responsive to said manifestations entered via said data entry means for encoding and transmitting corresponding signals to said medical device;

(b) having means for receiving said encoded and transmitted status and diagnostic values from said medical device;

(c) having a display means for displaying a representation of said status and said diagnostic values;

(d) having a programmable microprocessor having a memory with a plurality of executable programs stored therein, said microprocessor comprising means responsive to said manifestations from said data entry means for providing corresponding signals to said transmitter means and means for activating said transmitter means to transmit the corresponding signals to said medical device whereby characteristics of said medical device may be selectively changed, said microprocessor comprising means responsive to said status and diagnostic values from said receiving means for causing said values to be displayed on said display means;

the improvement comprising;

(i) audio means under control of said microprocessor for reproducing acoustic signals representing said status and said diagnostic values.

2. An apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said reproduced acoustic signals are comprised of stored voice signals.

3. An apparatus recited in claim 2, further comprising means for defining a voltage level indicative of said stored voice signals;

(a) memory means for storing said voltage level;

(b) means for durable maintaining said voltage level; and

(c) means for retrieving said voltage level.

4. An apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said voltage level comprises an analog voltage level.

5. An apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said memory means comprises electrically alterable read only memory.

6. In an implantable medical device system analyzer for verifying operation of a cardiac pacing system including a pacing lead and a cardiac pacemaker to be implanted, said analyzer having a data entry means for receiving and entering by operator manipulations, manifestations controlling operation of said analyzer;

having a display means for displaying a representation of said operation of said medical device system;

having a pacing means for stimulating said pacing lead;

having a sensing means for sensing intrinsic heart signals conducted on said pacing lead; and

having means for programming microprocessor having a memory with a plurality of executable programs stored therein, said microprocessor responsive to said manifestations from said data entry means and responsive to said sensing means and for activating said pacing means whereby characteristics of said cardiac pacing system may be evaluated and displayed on said display means;

the improvement comprising;

(a) audio means under control of said microprocessor for reproducing acoustic signals representing said characteristic of said cardiac pacing system.

7. An apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said reproduced acoustic signals are comprised of stored voice signals.

8. An apparatus recited in claim 7, further comprising means for defining a voltage level indicative of said stored voice signals;

(a) memory means for storing said voltage level;

(b) means for durable maintaining said voltage level; and

(c) means for retrieving said voltage level.

9. An apparatus recited in claim 8, wherein said voltage level comprises an analog voltage level.

10. An apparatus recited in claim 8, wherein said memory means comprises electrically alterable read only memory.

11. A method of operating a programmer to be use in conjunction with an implantable medical device, said programmer being controlled by an operator and having capabilities of programming said medical device, receiving data representing status of said medical device and receiving telemetry representing diagnostic data from said medical device, said programmer generating acoustic signals representative or said status of said diagnostic data, said method comprising:

(a) storing programmer memory signals indicative of said medical device status, said programmer status and said diagnostic data;

(b) transmitting encoded signals to said medical device;

(c) receiving encoded signals from said medical device upon the request of said programmer via said encoded transmitted signals;

(d) assembling signals from said programmer memory; and

(e) reproducing an audible manifestation of said assembled signals.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting encoded signals to said medical device comprises transmitting signals for modifying a function of said medical device.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of transmitting encoded signals to said medical device comprises transmitting signals for requesting said telemetry data.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of assembling signals is comprised of assembling signals indicative of said status.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of assembling signals is comprised of assembling signals indicative of said diagnostic data.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of reproducing an audible manifestation of said assembled signals is comprised of reproducing an audible manifestation indicative of said status.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of reproducing an audible manifestation of said assembled signals is comprised of reproducing an audible manifestation indicative of said diagnostic data.

18. A method of operating an analyzer to be used in conjunction with a medical device implanted within a patient, said analyzer being controlled by an operator and having capabilities of testing and measuring status of said medical device and simulation and sensing requirements of said medical device in said patient, said analyzer also generating acoustic signals representative of said status or said measured data, said method comprising:

(a) storing in analyzer memory signals indicative of said medical device status, said analyzer status and said measured data;

(b) assembling signals indicative of said status or said measured data from said analyzer memory; and

(c) reproducing an audible representation of said assembled signals indicative of said status or said measured data.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of assembling signals from said analyzer memory is comprised of assembling signals indicative of said status.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of assembling signals from said analyzer memory is comprised of assembling signals indicative of said measured data.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of reproducing an audible representation of said assembled signals is comprised of reproducing an audible representation of assembled signals indicative of said status.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of reproducing an audible representation of said assembled signals is comprised of reproducing an audible representation of assembled signals indicative of said measured data.