Abstract: This document describes, among other things, a method of operating a medical device comprising updating a regulatory approval status stored in at least one of the medical device or a second device operable to communicate with the medical device, and enabling or disabling the at least one function in the medical device based on the regulatory approval status. The regulatory approval status corresponds to at least one function performable by the medical device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to medical systems and methods that can be used to control features of implanted medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical system including an external medical device. The external medical device including a video output and a processor in communication with the video output. The system can be configured to display information through the video output as a graph, the graph comprising data representing pacing rates of an implantable device as a function of activity level over time. The system can further be configured to accept user input through direct manipulation of the graph. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a user interface capable of resolving interactions between programmable parameters for operation of a personal medical device. Programming these devices is a difficult task when many parameters are involved. The medical device interface attempts to reduce and minimize constraint violations between interdependent parameters using an initial set of parameter values supplied by user (typically a physician) input, and constraint violations describing invalid parameter values. A user is given the option to select one or more parameters to remain constant. If possible, a set of parameter values with less egregious constraint violations is displayed to the user. A user is prompted to accept the set of parameter values and program the medical device.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, a method of operating a medical device comprising updating a regulatory approval status stored in at least one of the medical device or a second device operable to communicate with the medical device, and enabling or disabling the at least one function in the medical device based on the regulatory approval status. The regulatory approval status corresponds to at least one function performable by the medical device.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a user interface capable of resolving interactions between programmable parameters for operation of a personal medical device. Programming these devices is a difficult task when many parameters are involved. The medical device interface attempts to reduce and minimize constraint violations between interdependent parameters using an initial set of parameter values supplied by user (typically a physician) input, and constraint violations describing invalid parameter values. A user is given the option to select one or more parameters to remain constant. If possible, a set of parameter values with less egregious constraint violations is displayed to the user. A user is prompted to accept the set of parameter values and program the medical device.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for determining a media presentation to present to a user using at least one of information received from an implantable medical device or information received from the user.

Abstract: Abnormal battery depletion can be detected in an implantable medical device. Battery capacity consumed can be measured using a coulometer and using a capacity-by-voltage device, and the measurements can be blended to determine battery status. A drop in battery voltage below a specified threshold can be detected to identify a high-current depletion fault, and an alarm can be provided to indicate the fault has been detected. The specified threshold can be determined as a function of battery capacity consumed. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for receiving user input to perform an initial interrogation of an implantable medical device (IMD) using an external device. The initial interrogation commences a communication session between the IMD and the external device. During the initial interrogation, first data is transferred from the IMD to the external device and displayed at the external device. The first data comprises device configuration data of the IMD. During the initial interrogation, background transfer of second data from the IMD to the external device is initiated during or after the display of first data, without requiring a user request for the second data. The second data comprises historical physiological episode data.

Abstract: A system and method for handling data received from an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. The method includes communicating a device parameter value of an IMD device parameter from the IMD to an external device and determining, at the external device, that the communicated device parameter value is at an improper value. Additionally, in response to the determining that the communicated device parameter value is at an improper value, automatically performing at least one of re-programming the IMD device parameter with a selected substitute device parameter value, ignoring, or purging non-programmable data.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and an external system. The ICD includes a plurality of functional modules performing tachyarrhythmia classification and therapy control functions using atrial tachyarrhythmia rate thresholds that are set to a unified value. In one embodiment, the CRM system allows a user to activate and deactivate each of the functional modules and program the unified value using the external system.

Abstract: In one aspect a system includes an external communication device configured to interrogate a pulse generator, an external programmer device communicatively coupled to the external communication device; the external programmer device configured to receive a listing of valid electrode pairs from the pulse generator through the external communication device, the external programmer device configured to prevent a pacing, sensing, or shocking vector from being programmed by the user if a pair of electrodes needed for the vector are not included within the listing of valid electrode pairs.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and an external system. The ICD detects a tachyarrhythmia episode and classifies the detected tachyarrhythmia episode using none, one, or more of detection enhancements selected according to a selection command including a classification mode. The detection enhancements are each an algorithm for detecting and analyzing one or more indications of a type of the detected tachyarrhythmia episode. The external system allows a user to select the classification mode from a plurality of available classification modes each using none, one, or more of the detection enhancements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to systems for interfacing with implantable medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes an external medical system including a processor and a telemetry circuit in communication with the processor, the processor configured to communicate with an implanted medical device. The system can be configured to query a system user after a first period of time in which indicators of system use are not detected. The system can be further configured to deactivate one or more data transmission features of the implanted medical device after a second period of time in which one or more indicators of system use are not detected. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to data management systems, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a video output and a processor in communication with the video output, wherein the video output and the processor are configured to display information regarding a patient in a first format and a second format through the video output simultaneously, the first format comprising a graphical formal and the second format comprising a textual format, the information displayed in the first format divided into a plurality of phases, wherein the system is configured to automatically change the information displayed in the second format based on user selection of one of the plurality of phases. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A system and method for avoiding short-interval paces during pacing mode transitions. The method may be particularly useful in switching to or from a biventricular pacing mode.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an external device that includes a communication circuit, a programming interface including a display, and a processor. The processor includes a parameter analyzer to apply a rule to a combination of operating parameter values of the IMD to determine operating parameter interaction. The display includes a first warning that is displayed when the parameter analyzer determines that a combination of operating parameter values entered via the programming interface is not allowed, and a second warning that is displayed when the parameter analyzer determines that a combination of operating parameters values entered via the programming interface is allowable but not recommended. The processor is configured to program the operating parameter values associated with the second warning into the IMD only after a user acknowledgement of the second warning is received from a user via the programming interface.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes techniques for reducing the number of programmable variables associated with maximum pacing rate so that fewer variables are programmed and a reduction in possible parameter conflict is achieved. In an embodiment, a maximum pacing rate parameter replaces a plurality of conventional, separately programmable pacing parameters. For example, maximum tracking rate, maximum sensor rate, rate smoothing maximum pacing rate, atrial pacing preference maximum pacing rate, and ventricular rate regulation maximum pacing rate are replaced by a single maximum pacing rate with, if necessary, a sensor offset and an atrial pacing preference offset. In another example, rate smoothing maximum pacing rate, biventricular trigger maximum pacing rate and ventricular rate regulation maximum pacing rate are replaced by a single maximum pacing rate.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for displaying statistical distributions of cardiac events. A device embodiment comprises circuitry adapted to communicate with a medical device that is adapted to acquire data regarding cardiac events occurring at two or more cardiac sites, and display means for displaying a histogram of the data as two or more statistical distributions for the two or more cardiac sites. The histogram includes a number of histogram bins. At least one of the histogram bins includes both a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a first cardiac site and a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a second cardiac site. Other embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for displaying statistical distributions of cardiac events. A device embodiment comprises circuitry adapted to communicate with a medical device that is adapted to acquire data regarding cardiac events occurring at two or more cardiac sites, and display means for displaying a histogram of the data as two or more statistical distributions for the two or more cardiac sites. The histogram includes a number of histogram bins. At least one of the histogram bins includes both a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a first cardiac site and a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a second cardiac site. Other embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A method for operating a cardiac pacemaker in which paces and senses are counted during each cardiac cycle and associated with an R-R interval or other interval defining a cardiac cycle. An event frequency for each sense and pace is calculated which can be displayed as a histogram. The method is particularly suited for calculating such frequencies in resynchronization pacing modes.