Diagnostic testing methods and apparatus for implantable therapy devices
First Claim
1. A testing method for use with an implantable patient stimulation system, comprising the steps of:
- providing a stimulation system including an implantable stimulator and a patient control unit which uses telemetry for initiating and terminating treatment periods; and
testing the stimulation system by automatically providing at least one period of stimulation to stimulate the patient upon initiating a treatment period;
in which a length of any period of stimulation is based upon a maximum stimulation time defined for the system.
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Abstract
A testing method for use with a patient stimulation system includes providing a stimulation system including a patient control unit. The patient control unit initiates and terminates treatment periods. At least one period of stimulation to stimulate the patient is automatically provided upon initiating a treatment period. Another method includes a system test method for use with a therapy system. The method includes providing a therapy system having a plurality of components; the therapy system physiologically interacting with a patient. A diagnostic self test of a component of the therapy system is performed internally to the system to determine if the component is functioning properly at a time when the therapy system is not interacting physiologically with the patient. Apparatus for using such methods are also provided.
370 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A testing method for use with an implantable patient stimulation system, comprising the steps of:
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providing a stimulation system including an implantable stimulator and a patient control unit which uses telemetry for initiating and terminating treatment periods; and testing the stimulation system by automatically providing at least one period of stimulation to stimulate the patient upon initiating a treatment period; in which a length of any period of stimulation is based upon a maximum stimulation time defined for the system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A stimulation system, comprising:
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an implantable stimulator to stimulate a patient during a treatment period; and a patient control unit, which comprises a transmitter/receiver element for communication with the implantable stimulator, for initiating and terminating treatment periods, the stimulator automatically providing at least one period of stimulation upon initiation of a treatment period; in which a length of any period of stimulation is based upon a maximum stimulation time defined for the system. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system test method for use with a therapy system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a therapy system, comprising an implantable stimulation system to treat respiratory disorders of a patient substantially only during periods when the patient is asleep, having a plurality of components including a patient control unit for at least initiating therapy to the patient during a treatment period; and performing, internally to the system, a diagnostic self test of a component of the therapy system to determine if the component is functioning properly at a time when the therapy system is not interacting physiologically with the patient, in which the diagnostic self test of the component is automatically performed upon initiation of the treatment period by the patient. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for use in testing a therapy system, comprising:
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a therapy system, comprising an implantable stimulation system to treat respiratory disorders of a patient substantially only during periods when the patient is asleep, having a plurality of components including a patient control unit for at least initiating therapy to the patient during a treatment period; and a diagnostic circuit internal to the system for automatically performing, upon initiation of the treatment period by the patient, a self test of a component of the therapy system to determine if the component is functioning properly at a time when the therapy system is not interacting physiologically with the patient. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification