Abstract: The invention is directed toward two-dimensional dynamic body image templates, and associated techniques, that allow a user to indicate regions of the human body. The body region indications may correspond to locations of injury, pain, treatment, discoloration, paresthesia, or the like. A user is presented with the body image templates and asked to indicate regions on the body templates that correspond to affected regions of a patient's body. The body image templates represent views of an external surface of a human body rotated about at least one axis. In exemplary embodiments, a user controls display of overlapping templates, which may allow the user to perceive rotation of a three-dimensional body surface. The user indicated regions from each of the displayed body image templates are stored in a body surface coordinate system, such that regions indicated via one template may be appropriately displayed on other templates.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward two-dimensional dynamic body image templates, and associated techniques, that allow a user to indicate regions of the human body. The body region indications may correspond to locations of injury, pain, treatment, discoloration, paresthesia, or the like. A user is presented with the body image templates and asked to indicate regions on the body templates that correspond to affected regions of a patient's body. The body image templates represent views of an external surface of a human body rotated about at least one axis. In exemplary embodiments, a user controls display of overlapping templates, which may allow the user to perceive rotation of a three-dimensional body surface. The user indicated regions from each of the displayed body image templates are stored in a body surface coordinate system, such that regions indicated via one template may be appropriately displayed on other templates.

Abstract: A watchdog unit receives stay-alive signals from a programming device during programming of an implantable medical device. The watchdog unit maintains a watchdog timer, and resets the timer upon receipt of each stay-alive signal. If the watchdog timer expires, the watchdog unit changes a mode of operation of the implantable device, e.g., places the implantable medical device into a known, safe state. For example, the watchdog unit may cause the implantable medical device to suspend delivery of therapy, perform a power-on reset, and/or recall a known, safe, therapy delivery program.

Abstract: A watchdog unit receives stay-alive signals from a programming device during programming of an implantable medical device. The watchdog unit maintains a watchdog timer, and resets the timer upon receipt of each stay-alive signal. If the watchdog timer expires, the watchdog unit changes a mode of operation of the implantable device, e.g., places the implantable medical device into a known, safe state. For example, the watchdog unit may cause the implantable medical device to suspend delivery of therapy, perform a power-on reset, and/or recall a known, safe, therapy delivery program.

Abstract: A programming device compares filter information to information that describes possible combinations of the electrodes within an electrode set implanted in a patient. The filter information describes at least one characteristic of valid, e.g., desired, electrode combinations, and in exemplary embodiments, is received from a user, e.g., a clinician, via a user interface of the programming device. The filter information can describe a number of electrodes in valid combinations, a fixed polarity for an electrode for valid combinations, or relational characteristics of the electrodes of valid combinations. The comparison process may be iterative. The programming device identifies a subset of the possible electrode combinations based on the comparison. By identifying the valid subset of electrode combinations based on the filter information, the programming device may reduce the amount of clinician and patient time required to program an implantable neurostimulator.

Abstract: A user, such as a clinician or the patient, uses a control device to manipulate at least one neurostimulation parameter. A mapping system uses a calibrated map to map the directional output of the control device to values of at least one stimulation parameter to allow the user to intuitively control the value of the parameter. In some embodiments, where a stimulation device is used to deliver spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy for example, the user manipulates a parameter to effect the location and/or strength of paresthesia experienced by the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the parameter values are combinations of electrodes, and the mapping system selects electrode combinations based on the output of the control device such that a direction of movement of paresthesia experienced by the patient corresponds to a direction of manipulation of a directional controller of the control device. The mapping system may calibrate the map based on patient paresthesia information received from a user.

Abstract: A distributed system comprises a programming device and a remotely located server. During a programming session, the programming device transmits programs and rating information associated with the programs to the server. The server presents the rating information to a clinician to assist the clinician in selecting from among programs tested during the programming session. The programming device may also transmit patient information and device configuration information to the server for storage with selected programs and rating information within a database as part of a patient record. Programs and information received from a plurality of programming devices and for a plurality of patients may be stored in the database and analyzed by the server to provide responses to user queries made by clinicians via programming devices.

Abstract: A programming device compares filter information to information that describes possible combinations of the electrodes within an electrode set implanted in a patient. The filter information describes at least one characteristic of valid, e.g., desired, electrode combinations, and in exemplary embodiments, is received from a user, e.g., a clinician, via a user interface of the programming device. The filter information can describe a number of electrodes in valid combinations, a fixed polarity for an electrode for valid combinations, or relational characteristics of the electrodes of valid combinations. The comparison process may be iterative. The programming device identifies a subset of the possible electrode combinations based on the comparison. By identifying the valid subset of electrode combinations based on the filter information, the programming device may reduce the amount of clinician and patient time required to program an implantable neurostimulator.

Abstract: A programming device used to program an implantable neurostimulator (INS) presents battery longevity information to a user to assist the user in selecting a program for the INS. The programming device directs the INS to deliver neurostimulation therapy according to a plurality of programs during a programming session. Each of the programs includes parameters that define the neurostimulation delivered according to that program. For example, each program may include as parameters a voltage or current pulse amplitude, a pulse width, a pulse rate, and a duty cycle. The program may also identify as parameters the electrodes selected from a set coupled to the INS and their polarities, e.g., anode or cathode, for delivery of neurostimulation according to that program.

Abstract: A distributed system comprises a programming device and a remotely located server. During a programming session, the programming device transmits programs and rating information associated with the programs to the server. The server presents the rating information to a clinician to assist the clinician in selecting from among programs tested during the programming session. The programming device may also transmit patient information and device configuration information to the server for storage with selected programs and rating information within a database as part of a patient record. Programs and information received from a plurality of programming devices and for a plurality of patients may be stored in the database and analyzed by the server to provide responses to user queries made by clinicians via programming devices.

Abstract: A programming device compares filter information to information that describes possible combinations of the electrodes within an electrode set implanted in a patient. The filter information describes at least one characteristic of valid, e.g., desired, electrode combinations, and in exemplary embodiments, is received from a user, e.g., a clinician, via a user interface of the programming device. The filter information can describe a number of electrodes in valid combinations, a fixed polarity for an electrode for valid combinations, or relational characteristics of the electrodes of valid combinations. The comparison process may be iterative. The programming device identifies a subset of the possible electrode combinations based on the comparison. By identifying the valid subset of electrode combinations based on the filter information, the programming device may reduce the amount of clinician and patient time required to program an implantable neurostimulator.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward two-dimensional dynamic body image templates, and associated techniques, that allow a user to indicate regions of the human body. The body region indications may correspond to locations of injury, pain, treatment, discoloration, paresthesia, or the like. A user is presented with the body image templates and asked to indicate regions on the body templates that correspond to affected regions of a patient's body. The body image templates represent views of an external surface of a human body rotated about at least one axis. In exemplary embodiments, a user controls display of overlapping templates, which may allow the user to perceive rotation of a three-dimensional body surface. The user indicated regions from each of the displayed body image templates are stored in a body surface coordinate system, such that regions indicated via one template may be appropriately displayed on other templates.

Abstract: A watchdog unit receives stay-alive signals from a programming device during programming of an implantable medical device. The watchdog unit maintains a watchdog timer, and resets the timer upon receipt of each stay-alive signal. If the watchdog timer expires, the watchdog unit changes a mode of operation of the implantable device, e.g., places the implantable medical device into a known, safe state. For example, the watchdog unit may cause the implantable medical device to suspend delivery of therapy, perform a power-on reset, and/or recall a known, safe, therapy delivery program.

Abstract: Disclosed are a means and a method for the placement of insulated electrical wires beneath the human scalp in such a way that they will experience no flexing after implantation thus disallowing wire breakage. Specifically, this intracranial system uses wires to connect a control module containing various electronic systems to brain electrodes. These wires are placed in grooves that are made by a surgeon in an outer portion of the patient's cranium by means of a specially shaped burr rotated at high speed by means of a router. At the end of the groove, the surgeon would drill a burr hole in the cranium at the site where a brain electrode is to be placed. A distal portion of each electrical wire would be in the form of a helical coil; one helical coil would be placed in each burr hole. The grooves and burr holes could be filled with an adhesive filler type of material to form a smooth outer surface for the cranium. Also, a special cap could be placed over the burr hole.

Abstract: Neurological stimulation alleviates chronic pain and other functional neurologic disorders by delivering electrical impulses to the nervous system of a patient. Within this setting, a computer interface optimizes stimulation with commercially available neurostimulators. The computer and interface, in cooperation with a unique graphics input device, deliver arbitrary and unique paradigms of stimulation. The computer interface provides for efficient patient interaction, optimizes stimulation automatically, and reduces the demands imposed on the time of health care professionals.

Abstract: A device having an outer marginal area for clenched retention between the upper and lower teeth. Tongue supporting members extend inwardly and upwardly from the marginal area to properly position the tongue with the tongue tip in contact with the upper alveolar ridge of the gum. Openings permit passage of saliva through the device. Projections, on a modified form of the device, cause tongue discomfort if the tongue is improperly located below the device.