Neurostimulator system, apparatus, and method

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for applying stimulation therapy to a patient includes an implantable medical device ( 20 ) and a remote controller ( 50 ) for inductively powering the medical device and communicating with the medical device. The remote controller ( 50 ) includes a feedback portion ( 220 ) for helping to establish a communication link between the remote controller and the implantable medical device ( 20 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying stimulation therapy to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an implantable medical device; and   a remote controller for inductively powering the medical device and communicating with the medical device, the remote controller comprising a feedback portion for helping to establish a communication link between the remote controller and the implantable medical device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedback portion comprises a vibratory feedback having a frequency that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the medical device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus recited in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the frequency and intensity of the vibratory feedback changes as the relative position of the remote controller and the medical device approach an optimal communication position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedback portion comprises a visual feedback comprising visual indication having a characteristic that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the medical device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus recited in  claim 4 , wherein the characteristic that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the medical device comprises at least one of a graphic display and an LED indicator. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedback portion comprises a audible feedback comprising an audible signal having a characteristic that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the medical device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus recited in  claim 6 , wherein the characteristic that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the medical device comprises at least one of a tone, volume, tone rate, and a voice command. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedback portion comprises at least one of a visual feedback, an audible feedback, a vibratory feedback, a shape/pressure feedback, a thermal feedback, and a gyroscopic feedback. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus recited in  claim 1 , wherein the feedback portion provides an optimal communication feedback responsive to a relative position between the remote controller and the medical device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus recited in  claim 9 , wherein the optimal communication feedback is communicated by at least one of a visual feedback, an audible feedback, and a vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus recited in  claim 9 , wherein the feedback further comprises a communication maintenance feedback responsive to maintaining an optimal communication position of the remote controller and the medical device, once established. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , wherein the communication maintenance feedback is communicated by at least one of a visual feedback, an audible feedback, and a vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus recited in  claim 11 , wherein the communication maintenance feedback comprises a gyroscopic feedback that is adapted to memorize the optimal communication position of the remote controller and determine a deviation from the memorized position, the communication maintenance feedback being configured to provide at least one of a visual feedback, an audible feedback, and a vibratory feedback in response to the deviation. 
     
     
         14 . A method for coupling a remote controller to an implantable medical device, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning the remote controller relative to the medical device;   adjusting the position of the remote controller relative to the medical device in response to an optimal communication feedback provided by the remote controller; and   maintaining the position of the remote controller in response to a communication maintenance feedback provided by the remote controller.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for applying stimulation therapy to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an implantable medical device storing at least one of stimulation parameters and therapy settings; and   a remote controller for inductively powering the medical device, the medical device being adapted to apply stimulation therapy to the patient according to the stimulation parameters and therapy settings.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus recited in  claim 15 , wherein the medical device is capable of providing the stimulation therapy under the power of the remote controller without requiring any parameters or settings from the remote controller. 
     
     
         17 . A method for applying stimulation therapy to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 implanting an implantable medical device in the patient;   storing at least one of stimulation parameters and therapy settings on the medical device;   using a remote controller to inductively power the implanted medical device; and   applying via the implanted medical device stimulation therapy to the patient according to the stimulation parameters and therapy settings.   
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 storing therapy related questions on the medical device;   using the remote controller to retrieving the stored questions from the implanted medical device; and   using the remote controller to query the patient with the stored questions.