Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. The patient programmer includes an internal antenna mounted on a first circuit board and a display mounted on a second circuit board. The first circuit board includes a substantially contiguous ground plane layer that is interrupted by two or more gaps. The patient programmer may also include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.

Abstract: Telemetry signal strength is used for positioning a primary recharge coil of a recharging unit at a location proximate to an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) in preparation to recharge a rechargeable power source of the IMD. An antenna of the recharging unit is positioned proximate to the IMD, a telemetry session is initiated between the two devices, and a value indicative of the telemetry signal strength is obtained. Using a known correspondence between telemetry signal strength and recharge coupling efficiency for the IMD/recharging unit pair, the telemetry signal strength value is used to determine whether adequate recharge coupling may be achieved between the pair of devices. If so, a recharge session may be established. Otherwise, the antenna is repositioned and the process is repeated. The correspondence between telemetry signal strength and recharge coupling efficiency for the device pair may be developed empirically or using modeling.

Abstract: A programmer for a medical device, such as a neurostimulator, includes a reduced-noise power supply that converts dc power provided by a battery source to power for components within the programmer. The power supply includes a pulse-skipping dc-dc boost converter. The programmer provides an input circuit for selectively inhibiting pulse-skipping to reduce switching noise that could otherwise undermine wireless telemetry performance between the programmer and a medical device.

Abstract: An external device, charge, system and method for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry, a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry and an internal telemetry coil. A primary coil is capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. An external telemetry coil is capable of communicating with the internal telemetry coil. Driver circuitry is selectively operatively coupled to the primary coil and to the external telemetry coil. The driver circuitry is switchable between (1) driving the primary coil for inductively energizing the secondary coil and (2) driving the external telemetry coil for communicating with the internal telemetry coil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a trial stimulation system and, more particularly, an indicator device within the trial stimulation system that measures and indicates energy amplitude levels for electrical stimulation therapy delivered to a patient. Specifically, the indicator device simultaneously indicates energy amplitude levels, such as electrical voltage, current, power, and electrical charge, as well as the polarity for each electrode in real-time without affecting the therapy delivered to the patient. For example, the indicator device may activate a number of lights in an array of lights in proportion to the measured energy amplitude level for each electrode and may activate a green LED or a red LED when a corresponding electrodes acts as a source or sink, respectively. In this manner, the indicator device allows a clinician to visualize the electrical fields produced by each electrode and, therefore, may assist stimulation steering, trouble shooting, and lead placement.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring energy from an external power source to an implantable medical device is disclosed. An antenna is positioned in proximity of the implantable medical device. The position of a core of the antenna is adjusted relative to the implantable medical device while the antenna is maintained substantially stationary. A frequency of transmission of a power source is adjusted, and the antenna is driven at the adjusted frequency to transfer energy transcutaneously to the implantable medical device. In one embodiment, the frequency of transmission is selected based on an amplitude of a signal in the antenna.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring energy from an external power source to an implantable medical device is disclosed. An antenna is positioned in proximity of the implantable medical device. The position of a core of the antenna is adjusted relative to the implantable medical device while the antenna is maintained substantially stationary. A frequency of transmission of a power source is adjusted, and the antenna is driven at the adjusted frequency to transfer energy transcutaneously to the implantable medical device. In one embodiment, the frequency of transmission is selected based on an amplitude of a signal in the antenna.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring energy from an external power source to an implantable medical device is disclosed. An antenna is positioned in proximity of the implantable medical device. The position of a core of the antenna is adjusted relative to the implantable medical device while the antenna is maintained substantially stationary. A frequency of transmission of a power source is adjusted, and the antenna is driven at the adjusted frequency to transfer energy transcutaneously to the implantable medical device. In one embodiment, the frequency of transmission is selected based on an amplitude of a signal in the antenna.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead includes fiber optic cable. A human-implantable neurostimulator and neurostimulation lead each include an opto-electric transducer. The opto-electric transducers can be an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or an optical transducer, that converts: electrical energy to optical energy; optical energy to electrical energy; or both electrical energy to optical energy and optical energy to electrical energy. Neurostimulation-lead electrodes can be activated, and/or lead-status information can be transmitted, over the fiber optic cable, between the neurostimulator and the neurostimulation lead. A neurostimulation-lead power converter may be coupled to a pulse generator of the neurostimulator such that the power converter derives and stores power for the lead from stimulation pulses received from the stimulation-pulse generator.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. The patient programmer includes an internal antenna mounted on a first circuit board and a display mounted on a second circuit board. The first circuit board includes a substantially contiguous ground plane layer that is interrupted by two or more gaps. The patient programmer may also include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. The patient programmer includes an internal antenna mounted on a first circuit board and a display mounted on a second circuit board. The first circuit board includes a substantially contiguous around plane layer that is interrupted by two or more gaps. The patient programmer may also include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring energy from an external power source to an implantable medical device is disclosed. An antenna is positioned in proximity of the implantable medical device. The position of a core of the antenna is adjusted relative to the implantable medical device while the antenna is maintained substantially stationary. A frequency of transmission of a power source is adjusted, and the antenna is driven at the adjusted frequency to transfer energy transcutaneously to the implantable medical device. In one embodiment, the frequency of transmission is selected based on an amplitude of a signal in the antenna.

Abstract: A trial stimulation system and, more particularly, an indicator device within the trial stimulation system that measures and indicates energy amplitude levels for electrical stimulation therapy delivered to a patient. Specifically, the indicator device simultaneously indicates energy amplitude levels, such as electrical voltage, current, power, and electrical charge, as well as the polarity for each electrode in real-time without affecting the therapy delivered to the patient. For example, the indicator device may activate a number of lights in an array of lights in proportion to the measured energy amplitude level for each electrode and may activate a green LED or a red LED when a corresponding electrodes acts as a source or sink, respectively. In this manner, the indicator device allows a clinician to visualize the electrical fields produced by each electrode and, therefore, may assist stimulation steering, trouble shooting, and lead placement.

Abstract: A method for assembling a programmer for a medical device includes assembling a housing member, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a plate member in a stacked z-axis configuration.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a trial stimulation system and, more particularly, an indicator device within the trial stimulation system that measures and indicates energy amplitude levels for electrical stimulation therapy delivered to a patient. Specifically, the indicator device simultaneously indicates energy amplitude levels, such as electrical voltage, current, power, and electrical charge, as well as the polarity for each electrode in real-time without affecting the therapy delivered to the patient. For example, the indicator device may activate a number of lights in an array of lights in proportion to the measured energy amplitude level for each electrode and may activate a green LED or a red LED when a corresponding electrodes acts as a source or sink, respectively. In this manner, the indicator device allows a clinician to visualize the electrical fields produced by each electrode and, therefore, may assist stimulation steering, trouble shooting, and lead placement.

Abstract: Techniques for using telemetry signal strength for positioning a primary recharge coil of a recharging unit at a location proximate to an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) in preparation to recharge a rechargeable power source of the IMD are disclosed. An antenna of the recharging unit is positioned proximate to the IMD, a telemetry session is initiated between the two devices, and a value indicative of the telemetry signal strength is obtained. Using a known correspondence between telemetry signal strength and recharge coupling efficiency for the IMD/recharging unit pair, the telemetry signal strength value is used to determine whether adequate recharge coupling may be achieved between the pair of devices. If so, a recharge session may be established. Otherwise, the antenna is repositioned and the process is repeated. The correspondence between telemetry signal strength and recharge coupling efficiency for the device pair may be developed empirically or using modeling.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. For example, the patient programmer may include an internal antenna for RF telemetry with the implantable medical device. The internal antenna may have a loop-like structure that defines a central aperture. A battery bay may extend at least partially into the antenna aperture from the patient programmer housing. One or more batteries may be mounted in the battery bay within the antenna aperture. In some cases, the batteries may contribute favorably to the RF load presented to the internal antenna. In particular, the batteries may present an additional load to the internal antenna, enhancing immunity to electrical and electromagnetic interference during telemetry sessions with the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An external indicator device presents parameters associated with stimulation therapy generated by a pulse generator, which may be associated with an external or implantable stimulation device. In this manner, the external indicator device enables a user to visualize stimulation parameters without actually delivering stimulation therapy to a patient via implanted electrodes. The electrical stimulation parameters may include electrical amplitude levels, pulse widths, pulse rates, electrode combinations, and electrode polarities for stimulation generated by the pulse generator.

Abstract: Hand-held electrical signal generator screening device include a signal generator. The hand-held devices have incorporated stylets or are capable of receiving a stylet while a stylet is inserted into the lead. The devices allow for movement of the lead and verification of suitable placement of the lead via application of an electrical signal by one user.