Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120310299 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A PROTOCOL FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL STIMULATION WITH A STIMULATION SYSTEM TO TREAT A PATIENT - A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer and a patient feedback device for establishing a protocol to treat a patient. The programmer uses a computer assisted stimulation programming procedure for establishing the protocol. Also described are methods of treating a patient with a spinal cord stimulation system including the programmer and the patient feedback device. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310300 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A PROTOCOL FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL STIMULATION WITH A STIMULATION SYSTEM TO TREAT A PATIENT - A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer and a patient feedback device for establishing a protocol to treat a patient. The programmer uses a computer assisted stimulation programming procedure for establishing the protocol. Also described are methods of treating a patient with a spinal cord stimulation system including the programmer and the patient feedback device. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310305 | PATIENT HANDHELD DEVICE FOR USE WITH A SPINAL CORD STIMULATION SYSTEM - A patient feedback device for communicating with a programming device of an electrical stimulation system. The device includes a housing, a sensor, a controller, and a communication port. The sensor is supported by the housing and generates a sensor signal in response to an action from the patient. The controller is supported by the housing and is in operative communication with the sensor. The controller receives the sensor signal and sends information to the communication port based on the sensor signal. The communication port is connected to the housing and is in operative communication with the controller. The communication port receives information from the controller and wirelessly transmits a communication signal to the programming device of the electrical stimulation system. | 12-06-2012 |
20130006333 | ELECTRICALLY IDENTIFIABLE ELECTRODE LEAD AND METHOD OF ELECTRICALLY IDENTIFYING AN ELECTRODE LEAD - An electrically identifiable medical electrode lead. The lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a connector end. The lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed near the distal end of the flexible lead body. The lead further includes a connector disposed at the connector end of the flexible lead body, the connector including a plurality of contacts. The lead additionally includes a plurality of conductors supported by and passing through the flexible lead body, the plurality of conductors including electrical conductors that provide paths for electrical current from the connector to the plurality of electrodes. Finally, the lead includes a memory circuit supported by the flexible lead body and being in electrical communication with a contact of the plurality of contacts in the connector. | 01-03-2013 |
20140061304 | System and Method for Using Clinician Programmer and Clinician Programming Data for Inventory and Manufacturing Prediction and Control - The present disclosure involves a medical system. The medical system includes a medical device configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient, a clinician programmer configured to program the medical device, and a manufacturing database configured to store and maintain an electronic inventory of a plurality of types of medical devices. The clinician programmer is configured to acquire a visual representation of the medical device, generate an electronic ticket identifying the medical device based on the visual representation, and send the electronic ticket to the manufacturing database. The manufacturing database is configured to receive the electronic ticket from the clinician programmer and perform at least one of the following tasks in response to the received electronic ticket: updating the electronic inventory, analyzing a usage trend of the medical device, predicting a potential shortage of the medical device, and suggesting a production schedule for the medical device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062900 | Virtual Reality Representation of Medical Devices - The present disclosure involves a method of facilitating visualization in a medical context. The method includes displaying a virtual reality representation of a medical device via a touch-sensitive user interface. The virtual reality representation of the medical device includes a movable and rotatable three-dimensional model of the medical device. The method includes displaying a virtual reality representation of an anatomical environment of a patient via a touch-sensitive user interface. The virtual reality representation of the anatomical environment is zoomable and scalable. The method includes customizing the virtual reality representation of the medical device. The method includes positioning the customized virtual reality representation of the medical device in an appropriate location of the virtual reality representation of the anatomical environment. The customizing and the positioning are performed in response to user input. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063003 | Method and System of Producing 2D Representations of 3D Pain and Stimulation Maps and Implant Models on a Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves an electronic device for visualizing a sensation experienced by a patient. The electronic device includes a touchscreen display configured to receive a tactile input from a user and display a visual output. The electronic device includes a memory storage component configured to store programming code. The electronic device includes a computer processor configured to execute the programming code to perform the following tasks: generating, in response to the tactile input from the user, a three-dimensional (3D) sensation map that represents the sensation experienced by the patient; deriving a two-dimensional (2D) sensation map based on the 3D sensation map, wherein the 2D sensation map contains substantially less data than the 3D sensation map; and sending the 2D sensation map over a network to facilitate a reconstruction of the 3D sensation map using the 2D sensation map. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063017 | Method and System of Model Shading and Reduction of Vertices for 3D Imaging on a Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves a method of providing three-dimensional imaging in a medical environment. A first three-dimensional (3D) model is provided. The first 3D model represents a part of human anatomy or an implantable medical device. The first 3D model contains a plurality of vertices. A second 3D model is then generated by performing a vertex-reduction process to the first 3D model. The second 3D model has fewer vertices than the first 3D model. A shading texture is applied to the second 3D model to obtain a texture-shaded second 3D model. The applying the shading texture is performed using the first 3D model as a reference so that the texture-shaded second 3D model resembles the first 3D model. | 03-06-2014 |
20140065580 | Method and System of Emulating a Patient Programmer - The present disclosure involves a method of emulating a patient programmer. A first language is associated with a virtual representation of the patient programmer. The first language corresponds to a language understood by a healthcare professional. A second language is associated with the virtual representation of the patient programmer. The second language corresponds to a language understood by a patient user of the patient programmer. The virtual representation of the patient programmer is displayed in the first language and in the second language simultaneously. | 03-06-2014 |
20140066802 | Cognition and Usability Aptitude Evaluations for Clinician Programmers - The present disclosure involves an electronic device. The electronic device is configured to perform evaluations on a patient user for medical purposes. The electronic device includes a touchscreen display configured to receive input from the user. The electronic device includes a memory storage component configured to store programming code. The electronic device includes a computer processor configured to execute the programming code to perform an evaluation of the user's mental and physical abilities. The evaluation includes prompting the user to perform a plurality of tasks. At least one of the tasks prompts the user to manipulate one or more graphical models shown on the touchscreen display according to predefined instructions. The evaluation includes detecting, via the touchscreen display, responses from the user for the tasks. The evaluation includes determining, based on the detected responses, whether the user is mentally and physically fit to provide reliable feedback to medical personnel. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067005 | Programming and Virtual Reality Representation of Stimulation Parameter Groups - The present disclosure involves a medical system that includes one or more implantable medical devices configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient. The medical system also includes a portable electronic device on which a touch-sensitive user interface is implemented. The user interface is configured to provide a visual representation of the medical therapy through a hierarchy. The hierarchy includes a lower level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program that includes a plurality of configurable stimulation parameters. The hierarchy includes a middle level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program-set that includes a plurality of different stimulation programs. The hierarchy includes an upper level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a scrollable collection of stimulation program-sets that are represented by a plurality of digital cards, respectively. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067006 | Method and System of Quick Neurostimulation Electrode Configuration and Positioning - The present disclosure involves a method of determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation. A virtual representation of an implant lead is provided. The implant lead is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead. A predefined electrode activation pattern is provided. The electrode activation pattern identifies a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time. The electrodes in each subset are programmed with their respective electrical stimulation parameters. The subsets of the electrodes are activated one subset at a time. Each activated subset of electrodes delivers electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067011 | Systems and Methods for the Identification and Association of Medical Devices - A system for operating a medical device, the system comprises a medical device associated with a machine-readable representation of data and a medical programmer. The medical programmer includes a sensor configured to detect the machine-readable representation of data and a display configured to graphically display a digital image of the medical device associated with the machine-readable representation of data. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067012 | Clinician Programming System and Method - A clinician programming system operable to control an implantable medical device includes a clinician programmer and a secondary unit. The clinician programmer has a housing, and includes a first display configured to display information indicative of the inputs by the clinician or display information indicative of status of an implantable pulse generator, the first display having a first display size. The secondary unit is separate from the housing of the clinician programmer and includes a secondary display. The secondary display is configured to communicate with the clinician programmer via the secondary display communication interface and configured to display information received via the secondary display communication interface. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067013 | Touch Screen Safety Controls for Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves an electronic apparatus for programming an implantable medical device to provide a stimulation therapy for a patient. The electronic apparatus includes a user interface configured to communicate with a user, a memory storage configured to store executable instructions, and a computer processor configured to execute the instructions to implement a plurality of safety controls. The safety controls include: starting/stopping the stimulation therapy by starting the stimulation therapy after a predefined time delay but stopping the stimulation therapy instantaneously; disabling programming of the electronic apparatus and terminating any existing stimulation therapy in response to a low-battery status of the electronic apparatus; adjusting a value of a stimulation parameter of the stimulation therapy one predetermined step at a time, each adjustment corresponding to a separate user input; and restricting a range in which the user can set an upper limit and a lower limit of the stimulation parameter. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067014 | Method and System for Associating Patient Records with Pulse Generators - The present disclosure involves a medical system. The medical system includes a medical device configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient and store an electronic patient record that includes visual identification information of the patient. The medical system includes a clinician programmer configured to program the medical device. The clinician programmer includes a display screen. The clinician programmer includes a transceiver configured to conduct electronic communication with external devices. The clinician programmer includes a memory storage configured to store machine-readable code. The clinician programmer includes a computer processor configured to execute the machine-readable code to: establish an electronic communication with the medical device via the transceiver; and display the electronic patient record, including the visual identification information of the patient, on the display screen after the electronic communication has been established. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067016 | Method and System of Bracketing Stimulation Parameters on Clinician Programmers - The present disclosure involves a method of setting stimulation parameters for neurostimulation. A plurality of stimulation parameters available for bracketing is displayed. The stimulation parameters are selected from the group consisting of: stimulation current amplitude, pulse width, frequency, and contact location. Thereafter, in response to an input from a user, at least a subset of the stimulation parameters is selected for bracketing. A respective initial value is then obtained for each of the stimulation parameters in the selected subset. Thereafter, a bracketing process is used to generate a plurality of bracketed values for each of the stimulation parameters in the selected subset. The bracketed values are generated as a function of the initial value. A plurality of stimulation pulses is then delivered to a patient through a neurostimulator that is automatically programmed with a different combination of the bracketed values for the stimulation parameters for each stimulation pulse. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067017 | System and Method of Compressing Medical Maps for Pulse Generator or Database Storage - The present disclosure involves a method of data-reducing and storing a sensation map. A sensation map associated with a patient is provided. The sensation map includes a graphical depiction of a sensation experienced by the patient. The sensation may be pain or paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to an electrical stimulation therapy. A data file is generated. The data file has a data size less than a data size of the sensation map. The data file contains digital information allowing a reconstruction of the sensation map. Electronic communication is then established with an implanted medical device located inside the patient's body. Thereafter, the data file is sent to the implanted medical device for storage. The stored data files are retrievable by another clinician programmer later to reconstruct the sensation map. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067020 | Method and System of Graphical Representation of Lead Connector Block and Implantable Pulse Generators on a Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves a method of providing graphical representations of medical devices and connections between the medical devices. A graphical representation of a lead is displayed. The lead is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrode contacts. A graphical representation of one of: an implantable pulse generator (IPG) or a lead connector block is displayed. The IPG and the lead connector block are each configured for coupling with the lead. In response to a user input, a graphical representation of a connection is generated. The connection is between the lead and one of: the IPG or the lead connector block. An actual connection between the lead and one of: the IPG or the lead connector block is monitored. A status of the actual connection between the lead and one of: the IPG or the connector block is then reported. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067354 | Method and System of Suggesting Spinal Cord Stimulation Region Based on Pain and Stimulation Maps with a Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves a method of determining stimulation lead placements for a healthcare professional with respect to an implant of a neurostimulator device in a target patient. A human body model is provided. A pain map is generated over the human body model in response to user input. The pain map visually represents body regions of the target patient that are experiencing pain. A dermatome map is provided. The dermatome map includes a visual correlation between regions of a human body and segments of a spinal cord. The pain map is compared with the dermatome map. Recommendations regarding the implant of the neurostimulator device are displayed in response to the comparing. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067411 | Predefined Input for Clinician Programmer Data Entry - The present disclosure involves a method of entering data in a portable electronic device. A request is received from a healthcare professional to perform data entry in an input field. The request is received via a touch-sensitive user interface of the portable electronic device. In response to the request, a plurality of predefined suggestions is displayed as candidates for the data entry. A selection of one of the plurality of predefined suggestions by the healthcare professional is then detected. Thereafter, the selected predefined suggestion is automatically entered as the data entry in the input field. | 03-06-2014 |
20140068758 | Method and System of Simulating a Pulse Generator on a Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves a method of simulating a pulse generator on a portable electronic device. A graphical user interface is provided via a touch-sensitive screen of the portable electronic device. The graphical user interface is configured to facilitate interactive user engagements with the portable electronic device. A pulse generator simulator is launched on the portable electronic device in response to a request from the user. The pulse generator simulator provides a virtual pulse generator that duplicates a plurality of functionalities and features of an actual pulse generator. The virtual pulse generator is programmed based on user input received via the graphical user interface. One or more statuses of the virtual pulse generator are then displayed via the graphical user interface. | 03-06-2014 |
20140249599 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING COMPUTER ASSISTED STIMULATION PROGRAMMING (CASP) - A computer assisted programming method includes ramping up a stimulation current for a plurality of contacts on a lead. Patient feedback is received while the stimulation current is being ramped up. Patient feedback indicates that the patient is beginning to feel stimulation. Based on the patient feedback, amplitude of the stimulation current that resulted in the patient feedback is recorded, and contacts are divided into groups. The contacts are activated one group at a time to the recorded amplitude. For each activated group of contacts, whether the patient can feel stimulation is determined. Thereafter, the target group that caused the patient to feel stimulation is then sub-divided into sub-groups. This process repeats a plurality of cycles until one or more contacts that caused the patient to feel stimulation are identified. The recorded amplitude is assigned as a perception threshold for the identified one or more contacts. | 09-04-2014 |
20140304773 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, COMPONENTS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH AN IMD USING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present disclosure involves a method of communicating with an implantable medical device. An authentication process is performed to verify an identity of a user of a mobile computing device. A request is received from the user to access an implantable medical device via the mobile computing device. Based on the identity of the user, a first user interface suitable for the user is selected from a plurality of user interfaces that are each configured to control an implantable medical device. The plurality of user interfaces have different visual characteristics and different levels of access to the implantable medical device. The first user interface is displayed on the mobile computing device. | 10-09-2014 |
20140343628 | AUTOMATIC CURRENT BALANCING WITH LOCK CONTROL FOR A CLINICIAN PROGRAMMER - A method of programming electrodes includes automatic current balancing and lock control. A virtual representation of a lead is displayed. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes. A subset of the electrodes is selected for programming. Each of the electrodes in the subset has one of two polarities. The two polarities are anode and cathode. A first percentage of a total stimulation current is assigned to a first one of the electrodes in the subset. In response to a user input, the first percentage is fixed to the first electrode. A plurality of second electrodes in the subset that have the same polarity as the first electrode is identified. Thereafter, a respective second percentage of the total stimulation current is automatically assigned to each of the second electrodes. A sum of the first percentage and the respective second percentages is equal to 100%. | 11-20-2014 |
20140343629 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING A GRAPHICAL IMPEDANCE HISTORY FOR OUTPUT CHANNELS OF A LEAD - A method of displaying impedance information of an implantable medical device is provided. One or more impedance values are received over a period of time for a plurality of channels. The channels may each include an electrode contact on an implantable lead. A graph is displayed that illustrates a variation of the impedance values over at least a portion of the period of time for one or more of the channels. A visual landscape that is representative of the impedance values for the plurality of channels is also displayed. | 11-20-2014 |
20140343633 | ELECTRICALLY IDENTIFIABLE ELECTRODE LEAD AND METHOD OF ELECTRICALLY IDENTIFYING AN ELECTRODE LEAD - An electrically identifiable medical electrode lead. The lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a connector end. The lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed near the distal end of the flexible lead body. The lead further includes a connector disposed at the connector end of the flexible lead body, the connector including a plurality of contacts. The lead additionally includes a plurality of conductors supported by and passing through the flexible lead body, the plurality of conductors including electrical conductors that provide paths for electrical current from the connector to the plurality of electrodes. Finally, the lead includes a memory circuit supported by the flexible lead body and being in electrical communication with a contact of the plurality of contacts in the connector. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344733 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VISUALIZING A MIGRATION HISTORY OF PAIN MAPS AND STIMULATION MAPS - A method of visualizing a sensation experienced by a patient is disclosed. A graphical user interface is provided. The graphical user interface is configured to receive an input from a user and display a visual output to the user. A virtual control mechanism is displayed on the graphical user interface. One or more engagements of the virtual control mechanism are detected through the graphical user interface. In response to the engagement of the virtual control mechanism, a sensation map history is displayed on the graphical user interface. The sensation map history graphically depicts a migration of a sensation map over time on a virtual human body model. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344740 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING STIMULATION MAP AND PAIN MAP OVERLAP COVERAGE REPRESENTATION - A method of displaying pain or stimulation experienced by a patient includes providing a graphical user interface configured to receive an input from a user and display a visual output to the user. A first map and a second map are concurrently displayed via the graphical user interface. The first map and the second map are each a pain map or a stimulation map. The pain map represents a body area of the patient experiencing pain. The stimulation map represents a body area of the patient experiencing electrical stimulation. A virtual control mechanism is displayed via the graphical user interface. Through the graphical user interface, an engagement of the virtual control mechanism is detected. In response to the engagement of the virtual control mechanism, respective visual emphases of the first map and the second map are simultaneously adjusted. | 11-20-2014 |
20150080983 | CLINICIAN PROGRAMMING SYSTEM AND METHOD - In a method for programming an implantable device, an input is received at a user interface on a tablet-style clinician programmer. A first display signal is generated on the clinician programmer that updates content on a first display based on the received user input. The first display has a first size. A second display signal is generated for transmission to a secondary unit having a second display separate from the clinician programmer. The second display has a second size larger than the first size. The generating of the second display signal includes enhancing the content of the second display signal to provide a clear image on the second size display. The second display signal is transmitted from the clinician programmer to the second display. | 03-19-2015 |
20150134026 | PUDENDAL AND SACRAL NERVE STIMULATION SWEEP ALGORITHM AND METHOD - In response to input from a patient who is being treated by a sacral nerve stimulation therapy, an electronic diary is generated that includes a plurality of voiding responses of the patient over a period of time. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses delivered to the patient according to a first stimulation program and via a first subset of electrode contacts on a lead that is implanted in the patient. The lead has a plurality of electrode contacts that include the first subset. Based on the voiding responses in the electronic diary, a loss of efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy is detected. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy is automatically adjusted in response to the detected loss of efficacy. The automatically adjustment of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy may include either a program-based sweep or a contact-based sweep. | 05-14-2015 |
20150134027 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR DETERMINING OPTIMAL PLACEMENT FOR PUDENDAL NERVE STIMULATION LEAD USING PATIENT FEEDBACK - The present disclosure involves a method of measuring a physiological feedback from a patient in response to electrical stimulation. A stimulation parameter of a sacral nerve stimulation therapy is ramped up. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses generated by a pulse generator based on programming instructions received from an electronic programmer. The electrical pulses are delivered to a patient via a stimulation lead that is implanted in the patient. Via an anal electrode device that is at least partially inserted inside an anal canal of the patient, a compound motor action potential (CMAP) is measured from an anal sphincter of the patient while the stimulation parameter of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy is being ramped up. A stimulation threshold is determined based on the measured CMAP. | 05-14-2015 |
20150134028 | IPG CONFIGURED TO DELIVER DIFFERENT PULSE REGIMES TO DIFFERENT LEADS FOR PUDENDAL NERVE STIMULATION - The present disclosure involves a method of generating different stimulation waveforms as a part of sacral nerve stimulation therapy. A first stimulation waveform having a first stimulation waveform characteristic is generated. The first stimulation waveform is delivered to a first body part of a patient at least in part via a first channel. A second stimulation waveform having a second stimulation waveform characteristic is generated. The second stimulation waveform characteristic is different from the first stimulation waveform characteristic. The second stimulation waveform is delivered to a second body part of the patient at least in part via a second channel that is separate and independent from the first channel. The first body part and second body part correspond to different organs or different types of nerves. | 05-14-2015 |
20150273216 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DEVELOPING A PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR TREATING A PATIENT - A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer for establishing a program to treat a patient. The programmer uses a discretized, interrupted, and safe spatial electrode migration process for establishing the stimulation program. | 10-01-2015 |
20150328463 | PATIENT HANDHELD DEVICE FOR USE WITH A SPINAL CORD STIMULATION SYSTEM - A patient feedback device for use in an electrical stimulation system is calibrated. The electrical stimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG) implanted in a patient and a patient feedback device having a force sensor. Input from the patient is sensed using the patient feedback device. At a first time, an electrical stimulus is applied with the IPG. The force sensor is monitored at a plurality of time points. A level of force sensed by the force sensor at each of the plurality of time points is recorded. A time point at which a maximum force is applied is identified, or a time point at which a minimum force is applied is identified. The first time is compared to the time point at which a minimum force is applied or the time point at which a maximum force is applied, in order to determine a patient response time. | 11-19-2015 |
20160022996 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A PROTOCOL FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL STIMULATION WITH A STIMULATION SYSTEM TO TREAT A PATIENT - A computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device is performed. A perception threshold is determined for a plurality of contacts on a lead configured to be implanted inside a patient. The perception threshold is determined by automatically performing a first sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a second sweep of a stimulation parameter. A paresthesia coverage provided by the plurality of contacts is determined by automatically performing a third sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a fourth sweep of the stimulation parameter. The fourth sweep is performed based on the determined perception thresholds. The first sweep, the second sweep, the third sweep, and the fourth sweep are performed without needing a manual input from a human user. A subset of the contacts corresponding to the paresthesia coverage is selected. In response to user input, stimulation programming is performed using the subset of contacts. | 01-28-2016 |