Systems and methods for patient control of stimulation systems

• US 9,480,846 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Urinary Solutions, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Strother, Robert B., Barber, James E., Mrva, Joseph J., Thierfelder, Christopher A., Bennett, Maria E., Thrope, Geoffrey B., Pack, Danny R., Rubin, Stuart F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertram, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US11/712,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,534 Days
• Field of Search: 607 59- 61
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/11 Energy harvesting
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services

Abstract

Provided is a portable controller and associated method that provides a patient or caregiver the ability to recharge and alter the parameters of an implanted medical device, while allowing the patient substantially unobstructed mobility. To enable mobility, the controller may be worn on a belt or clothing. The controller also allows the patient to turn device stimulation on and off, check battery status, and to vary stimulation parameters within ranges that may be predefined and programmed by a clinician. The controller communicates with the medical device to retrieve information and make parameter adjustments using wireless telemetry, and it can send and receive information from several feet away from the implanted medical device. Charging of a battery contained in the implanted medical device is achieved via an inductive radio frequency link using a charge coil placed in close proximity to the medical device.

Claims

1. A portable controller for recharging and communicating with an implanted medical device, the controller comprising:

a shell;

a recharging module at least partially disposed in the shell, the recharging module configured to recharge a power supply of the implanted medical device; and

a telemetry module at least partially disposed in the shell, the telemetry module configured to communicate via non-inductive wireless telemetry with the implanted medical device while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, wherein the recharging module comprises a charging coil configured to generate a radio frequency magnetic field that transcutaneously recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, and wherein the charging coil is at least partially disposed outside of the shell.

2. The portable controller of claim 1, wherein the recharging module is contained entirely in the shell.

3. The portable controller of claim 1, wherein the telemetry module is configured to communicate via non-inductive wireless telemetry with the implanted device over a distance of up to at least six feet.

4. The portable controller of claim 1, further comprising a port extending through the shell, the port in electrical communication with at least one of the recharging module or telemetry module.

5. The portable controller of claim 4, wherein the port is keyed.

6. The portable controller of claim 4, further comprising an accessory having a plug electrically coupled to the port.

7. The portable controller of claim 6, wherein the accessory plug is keyed.

8. The portable controller of claim 6, wherein the accessory is the recharging module.

9. The portable controller of claim 6, wherein the accessory is an alternating current (AC) power adaptor.

10. The portable controller of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for interaction with at least one of the recharge module or telemetry module, wherein the user interface comprises a user input interface.

11. The portable controller of claim 10, wherein the user input interface comprises a plurality of buttons.

12. The portable controller of claim 11, wherein the user input interface comprises no more than five buttons.

13. The portable controller of claim 10, wherein the user interface further comprises a user output interface.

14. The portable controller of claim 1, further comprising a user interface providing for interaction with at least one of the recharge module or telemetry module, wherein the user interface comprises a user output interface.

15. The portable controller of claim 14, wherein the user output interface comprises a liquid crystal display.

16. The portable controller of claim 14, wherein the user output interface comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

17. The portable controller of claim 14, wherein the user output interface comprises an audible tone.

18. The portable controller of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises:

a base having a bottom surface and sidewalls extending therefrom, the sidewalls having an upper edge defining a base perimeter;

a bezel secured to the base adjacent the base perimeter; and

a protective lens secured to the bezel.

19. The portable controller of claim 1, wherein the shell is about 7 centimeters long, about 4 centimeters wide and about 1 centimeter thick.

20. The portable controller of claim 1, wherein the telemetry module is configured to receive status information via non-inductive wireless telemetry from the implanted medical device while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, wherein the portable controller at least one of adjusts the magnitude of the radio frequency magnetic field or instructs a user to reposition the charging coil based on the status information.

21. The portable controller of claim 1, wherein the wireless telemetry module communicates via non-inductive wireless telemetry in at least one of VHF or UHF frequency ranges.

22. A medical device controller comprising:

a shell;

a recharging module at least partially disposed in the shell, the recharging module configured to recharge a power supply of an implanted medical device; and

a telemetry module at least partially disposed in the shell, the telemetry module configured to communicate with the implanted medical device via non-inductive wireless telemetry, wherein the telemetry module is configured to communicate with the implanted medical device via non-inductive wireless telemetry while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, wherein the recharging module comprises a charging coil configured to generate a radio frequency magnetic field that transcutaneously recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, and wherein the charging coil is at least partially disposed outside of the shell.

23. The medical device controller of claim 22, wherein the telemetry module is configured to receive status information via non-inductive wireless telemetry from the implanted medical device while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, wherein the portable controller at least one of adjusts the magnitude of the radio frequency magnetic field or instructs a user to reposition the charging coil based on the status information.

24. The medical device controller of claim 22, wherein the wireless telemetry module communicates via non-inductive wireless telemetry in at least one of VHF or UHF frequency ranges.

25. A portable controller for recharging and communicating with an implanted medical device, the controller comprising:

a shell;

a recharging module at least partially disposed in the shell, the recharging module configured to recharge a power supply of the implanted medical device; and

a telemetry module at least partially disposed in the shell, the telemetry module configured to communicate via non-inductive wireless telemetry with the implanted medical device while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, and wherein the wireless telemetry module communicates via non-inductive wireless telemetry in at least one of VHF or UHF frequency ranges.

26. The portable controller of claim 25, wherein the recharging module is contained entirely in the shell.

27. The portable controller of claim 25, wherein the telemetry module is configured to communicate via the non-inductive wireless telemetry with the implanted medical device over a distance of up to at least six feet.

28. The portable controller of claim 25, further comprising a port extending through the shell, the port in electrical communication with at least one of the recharging module or the telemetry module.

29. The portable controller of claim 25, further comprising a user interface for interaction with at least one of the recharge module or the telemetry module, wherein the user interface comprises a user input interface.

30. The portable controller of claim 25, further comprising a user interface providing for interaction with at least one of the recharge module or the telemetry module, wherein the user interface comprises a user output interface.

31. The portable controller of claim 30, wherein the user output interface comprises a liquid crystal display.

32. The portable controller of claim 30, wherein the user output interface comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

33. The portable controller of claim 25, wherein the telemetry module is configured to receive status information via the non-inductive wireless telemetry from the implanted medical device while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, wherein the portable controller at least one of adjusts the magnitude of the radio frequency magnetic field or instructs a user to reposition the charging coil based on the status information.

34. A medical device controller comprising:

a shell;

a recharging module at least partially disposed in the shell, the recharging module configured to recharge a power supply of an implanted medical device; and

a telemetry module at least partially disposed in the shell, the telemetry module configured to communicate with the implanted medical device via non-inductive wireless telemetry, and wherein the wireless telemetry module communicates via non-inductive wireless telemetry in at least one of VHF or UHF frequency ranges.

35. The medical device of claim 34, wherein the recharging module is contained entirely in the shell.

36. The medical device of claims 34, wherein the telemetry module is configured to receive status information via the non-inductive wireless telemetry from the implanted medical device while the recharging module recharges the power supply of the implanted medical device, wherein the portable controller at least one of adjusts the magnitude of the radio frequency magnetic field or instructs a user to reposition the charging coil based on the status information.