Abstract: A programmer allows a clinician to identify desirable combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable electrode combinations. In some embodiments, the clinician may use the programmer to select a program, such as a program identified during a neurostimulation programming session, and direct the programmer to replicate the selected program. The programmer may change one or more parameters of the selected program, such as pulse amplitude or duty cycle, when generating the copy of the selected program.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of the device and for obtaining physiological data from a patient in which the medical device is implanted. The implanted device also includes a communication circuit for transmitting the physiological data to an external device. A first power source is coupled to the control circuit and provides power to the control circuit. A second power source is coupled to the communication circuit and provides power to the communication circuit.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: Techniques for performing lead functionality tests, e.g., lead impedance tests, for implantable electrical leads are described. In some of the described embodiments, an implantable medical device determines whether a patient is in a target activity state, e.g., an activity state in which lead impedance testing will be unobtrusive, such as when a patient is asleep, or capture information of particular interest, such as when the patient is active, in a particular posture, or changing postures. The implantable medical device performs the lead functionality test based on this determination. Additionally, in some embodiments, the implantable medical device may group a plurality of measurements for a single lead functionality test into a plurality of sessions, and perform the measurement sessions interleaved with delivery of therapeutic stimulation.

Abstract: Techniques for performing lead functionality tests, e.g., lead impedance tests, for implantable electrical leads are described. In some of the described embodiments, an implantable medical device determines whether a patient is in a target activity state, e.g., an activity state in which lead impedance testing will be unobtrusive, such as when a patient is asleep, or capture information of particular interest, such as when the patient is active, in a particular posture, or changing postures. The implantable medical device performs the lead functionality test based on this determination. Additionally, in some embodiments, the implantable medical device may group a plurality of measurements for a single lead functionality test into a plurality of sessions, and perform the measurement sessions interleaved with delivery of therapeutic stimulation.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the first and second electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, thereby allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find the most efficacious electrode combination. Additionally, the techniques may be used for shifting between different electrode combinations associated with different stimulation programs or program sets.

Abstract: A programmer allows a clinician to identify combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The programmer executes an electrode combination search algorithm to select combinations of electrodes to test in a non-random order. According to algorithms consistent with the invention, the programmer may first identify a position of a first cathode for subsequent combinations, and then select electrodes from the set to test with the first cathode as anodes or additional cathodes based on the proximity of the electrodes to the first cathode. The programmer may store information for each combination tested, and the information may facilitate the identification of desirable electrode combinations by the clinician. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable program combinations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring capacitive elements of an implantable medical device system for device failure and responding thereto. A therapy measurement block monitors a charge value across one or more capacitive elements. If the charge value falls outside a prescribed range, indicating possible failure in the capacitive element, the system removes from service the capacitive element and its associated regulator, notifies the implantable neuro stimulator of the failure and/or takes appropriate corrective measures.

Abstract: A medical system and method of establishing communication between a plurality of implantable medical devices and an external device. An identification command is sent transcutaneously to at least one of the plurality of implantable medical devices. The plurality of implantable medical devices respond to the identification command with an uplink response in one of a plurality of uplink time slots. The external device receives the uplink response from each of at least one of the plurality of implanted medical devices. The external device establishes transcutaneous communication to a selected one of the plurality of implanted medical devices based, at least in part, upon a user selection of one of said plurality of implanted medical devices.

Abstract: A system, method and implantable medical for concurrently providing a therapeutic output to a patient while communicating transcutaneously with an external device. The therapeutic output is provided to the patient with an implantable medical device wherein an electromagnetic signal is associated with at least one of recharging of a rechargeable power source and providing the therapeutic output. Bi-directional transcutaneous communication is conducted via via telemetry between the implantable medical device and an external device using a telemetry signal while the telemetry signal and the electromagnetic signal occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A medical system and method of establishing communication between a plurality of implantable medical devices and an external device. An identification command is sent transcutaneously to at least one of the plurality of implantable medical devices. The plurality of implantable medical devices respond to the identification command with an uplink response in one of a plurality of uplink time slots. The external device receives the uplink response from each of at least one of the plurality of implanted medical devices. The external device establishes transcutaneous communication to a selected one of the plurality of implanted medical devices based, at least in part, upon an order in time of which the plurality of implanted medical devices respond with the uplink response.

Abstract: A medical system and method of establishing communication between a plurality of implantable medical devices and an external device. An identification command is sent transcutaneously to at least one of the plurality of implantable medical devices. The plurality of implantable medical devices respond to the identification command with an uplink response in one of a plurality of uplink time slots. The external device receives the uplink response from each of at least one of the plurality of implanted medical devices. The external device establishes transcutaneous communication to a selected one of the plurality of implanted medical devices based, at least in part, upon a signal strength of said uplink response of at least one of said plurality of implanted medical devices.

Abstract: A system, method and implantable medical for providing switched power while providing transcutaneous telemetry communication with an implanted medical device having an internal power source. An electronics module is adapted to supply the therapeutic output to the patient. A telemetry module is configured for transcutaneous telemetry communication. The telemetry module obtains power from the telemetry signal during transcutaneous telemetry communication.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for independently delivering a plurality of therapy programs in an implantable medical device. A therapy controller configures the device to generate independent pulse trains associated with a plurality of therapy programs and dynamically configures the electrodes to deliver the independent pulse trains to the patient. Once configured, the implantable medical device delivers the plurality of therapy programs to the patient wherein the therapy programs may overlap in time.

Abstract: In the embodiment of the invention, apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform (that comprises at least a stimulation pulse) to an electrode of an Implantable Neuro Stimulator (INS). The waveform is synthesized for each rate period interval. A portion of the rate period interval is identified, in which the portion comprises at least one phase. During each phase, the stimulation waveform is synthesized by a waveform controller and a waveform generator. The waveform controller utilizes waveform parameters, e.g. the initial value, final value, and step time duration, to form a digital signal to the waveform generator. The waveform generator utilizes the digital signal to form the synthesized waveform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for independently delivering a plurality of therapy programs in an implantable medical device. A therapy controller configures the device to generate independent pulse trains associated with a plurality of therapy programs and dynamically configures the electrodes to deliver the independent pulse trains to the patient. Once configured, the implantable medical device delivers the plurality of therapy programs to the patient wherein the therapy programs may overlap in time.

Abstract: A programmer allows a clinician to identify desirable combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable electrode combinations. In some embodiments, the clinician may use the programmer to select a program, such as a program identified during a neurostimulation programming session, and direct the programmer to replicate the selected program. The programmer may change one or more parameters of the selected program, such as pulse amplitude or duty cycle, when generating the copy of the selected program.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for determining the current status and remaining life of a power source in an implantable neurological tissue stimulator. The invention contemplates a method, performed in a system without human intervention, that includes the steps of assessing the power source voltage of the power source in an IPG, determining, using the power source voltage, where in the power source life cycle the power source is, and taking action in response to the determination of where in the power source life cycle the power source is. The invention also includes a device that embodies the method described above. The device, which is partially resident in an IPG and partially resident in an external device such as a programmer measures the power source voltage in the IPG, using the power source voltage determines where in the power source life cycle the power source is and takes appropriate action in response to the determination of where in the power source life cycle the power source is.

Abstract: A programmer allows a clinician to identify combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The programmer executes an electrode combination search algorithm to select combinations of electrodes to test in a non-random order. According to algorithms consistent with the invention, the programmer may first identify a position of a first cathode for subsequent combinations, and then select electrodes from the set to test with the first cathode as anodes or additional cathodes based on the proximity of the electrodes to the first cathode. The programmer may store information for each combination tested, and the information may facilitate the identification of desirable electrode combinations by the clinician. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable program combinations.