Patient Programmer Having a Key-Fob-Sized Form Factor

• US 20170007839A1
• Filed: 09/20/2016
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirtec Medical Corp.
• Original Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
• Inventors: Wilder, Steven E., Labbe, Michael S., Gagnon, Jeff, Cotrill, Ben
• Granted Patent: US 9,878,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• 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

A patient programmer has a housing having a key-fob-sized form factor. The patient programmer has electrical circuitry implemented inside the housing. The electrical circuitry includes a communication module configured to conduct wireless communications with an implantable pulse generator. The patient programmer has a user display implemented on the housing. The user display is configured to display one or more statuses of the implantable pulse generator. The implantable pulse generator is configured to generate an electrical stimulation therapy. The patient programmer has one or more buttons implemented on the housing. The one or more buttons are configured to send instructions, via the communication module, to the implantable pulse generator to adjust a stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation therapy.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a housing having a key-fob-sized form factor;

electrical circuitry implemented inside the housing, the electrical circuitry including a communication module configured to conduct wireless communications with an implantable pulse generator;

a user display implemented on the housing, the user display being configured to display one or more statuses of the implantable pulse generator, the implantable pulse generator being configured to generate an electrical stimulation therapy; and

one or more buttons implemented on the housing, the one or more buttons being configured to send instructions, via the communication module, to the implantable pulse generator to adjust a stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation therapy.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a thickness less than about 1.5 inch, a width less than about 1.5 inch, and a height less than about 3 inches.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the form factor of the housing is configured such that it is attachable to a key ring or a lanyard.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more statuses include:

a battery status of the implantable pulse generator, a stimulation program currently being executed by the implantable pulse generator, and an on/off status of the implantable pulse generator.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the user display is further configured to display a battery status of the device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more buttons include an emergency off button implemented on the housing, the emergency off button being configured to shut off the electrical stimulation therapy.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication module includes a medical implant communication service (MICS) transceiver operating in a frequency band ranging from about 402 MHz to about 405 MHz.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication module includes a loop antenna.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitry further comprises a rechargeable battery and a power storing controller configured to convert power to recharge the rechargeable battery.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitry further comprises a watch dog circuitry configured to time out when a software running on the electrical circuitry becomes stuck in a loop.

11. A system, comprising:

an implantable pulse generator configured to generate electrical pulses for an electrical stimulation therapy; and

a pocket controller configured to control the implantable pulse generator, wherein the pocket controller includes;

a housing having a key-fob-sized form factor;

electrical circuitry implemented inside the housing, the electrical circuitry including a communication module configured to conduct wireless communications with the implantable pulse generator;

a user display implemented on the housing, the user display being configured to display one or more statuses of the implantable pulse generator; and

one or more buttons implemented on the housing, the one or more buttons being configured to send instructions, via the communication module, to the implantable pulse generator to adjust a stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation therapy.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the form factor of the housing is configured such that it is attachable to a key ring or a lanyard.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more statuses include:

a battery status of the implantable pulse generator, a stimulation program currently being executed by the implantable pulse generator, and an on/off status of the implantable pulse generator, and wherein the user display is further configured to display a battery status of the pocket controller.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more buttons include an emergency off button implemented on the housing, the emergency off button being configured to shut off the electrical stimulation therapy.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the communication module includes a medical implant communication service (MICS) transceiver operating in a frequency band ranging from about 402 MHz to about 405 MHz, and wherein the electrical circuitry further comprises a rechargeable battery, a power storing controller configured to convert power to recharge the rechargeable battery, and a watch dog circuitry configured to time out when a software running on the electrical circuitry becomes stuck in a loop.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a patient controller charger (PPC) having a larger form factor than the pocket controller, the PPC offering more programming options than the pocket controller, the PPC containing circuitry configured to electrically charge the implantable pulse generator.

17. A device, comprising:

a housing having a key-fob-sized form factor such that it is attachable to a key ring or a lanyard;

electrical circuitry implemented inside the housing, the electrical circuitry including a communication module configured to conduct wireless communications with an implantable pulse generator that is configured to generate an electrical stimulation therapy;

a user display implemented on the housing, the user display being configured to display one or more statuses of the implantable pulse generator, the one or more statuses being selected from the group consisting of;

a battery status of the implantable pulse generator, a battery status of the device, a stimulation program currently being executed by the implantable pulse generator, and an on/off status of the implantable pulse generator; and

one or more buttons implemented on the housing, the one or more buttons being configured to send instructions, via the communication module, to the implantable pulse generator to adjust a stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation therapy.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the housing has a thickness less than about 1.5 inch, a width less than about 1.5 inch, and a height less than about 3 inches.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the one or more buttons include an emergency off button implemented on the housing, the emergency off button being configured to shut off the electrical stimulation therapy.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the communication module includes a loop antenna and a medical implant communication service (MICS) transceiver operating in a frequency band ranging from about 402 MHz to about 405 MHz.