Ambulatory medical apparatus with hand held communication device

Abstract

A communication device (CD) exchanges messages with an implantable infusion pump via telemetry such that commands are supplied thereto and operational information is obtained therefrom. The CD is controlled, at least in part, by a processor IC according to a software program operating therein and provides feedback to a user via a visual display, an audio alarm, and a vibrational alarm, and allows input from the user via a touch sensitive keypad. Certain input functions are restricted by password. The visual display includes an icon and fixed element display region and a bitmap display region. The fixed element display region includes time and date displays, battery and drug level displays that decrement, and a moving delivery state display. Various screens allow operational or log information to be displayed and/or user entry of commands. Program features when disabled are removed from a series of screen options that can be scrolled through.

1 . A method comprising: 
 activating wireless telemetry circuitry in an external communication device to communicate with an implantable medical device; and    disabling a backlight of a display in the external communication device during activation of the telemetry circuitry to reduce electrical interference.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disabling the backlight in response to a telemetry quiet mode signal.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling the backlight when the telemetry is not activated.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external communication device includes an internal antenna, and the telemetry circuitry receives signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external communication device includes an internal antenna, and the telemetry circuitry transmits signals to the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable electrical stimulator.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable pump.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backlight includes an electroluminescent backlight.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external communication device is capable of being hand-held and is battery-powered.  
   
   
       11 . An external communication device for an implantable medical device, the external communication device comprising: 
 a device housing;    an antenna coupled to the housing;    wireless telemetry circuitry, within the housing, that communicates with the implantable medical device via the antenna;    a display, within the housing, that presents information;    a backlight that illuminates the display; and    control circuitry that disables the backlight during activation of the telemetry circuitry to reduce electrical interference.    
   
   
       12 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry disables the backlight in response to a telemetry quiet mode signal.  
   
   
       13 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry enables the backlight when the telemetry is not activated.  
   
   
       14 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna is internally mounted within the housing, and the telemetry circuitry receives signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.  
   
   
       15 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the antenna is internally mounted within the housing, and the telemetry circuitry transmits signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.  
   
   
       16 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable electrical stimulator, and the external communication device includes processing circuitry that programs the implantable electrical stimulator via the telemetry circuitry.  
   
   
       17 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable pump, and the external communication device includes processing circuitry that programs the implantable pump via the telemetry circuitry.  
   
   
       18 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       19 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the backlight includes an electroluminescent backlight.  
   
   
       20 . The external communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the external communication device is capable of being hand-held and is battery-powered.  
   
   
       21 . A method comprising: 
 activating wireless telemetry circuitry in an external communication device to communicate with an implantable medical device, wherein the external communication device includes an internal antenna, and the telemetry circuitry receives signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry;    disabling an electroluminescent backlight of a liquid crystal display in the external communication device during activation of the telemetry circuitry to reduce electrical interference in response to a telemetry quiet mode signal; and    enabling the backlight when the telemetry is not activated.