Systems and methods for placing electronic devices into "cautery-safe" mode

Abstract

A method and device to enable a medical or surgical procedure using electro-cautery on a patient with an implantable device in a cautery-safe mode of operation. In one embodiment, the invention provides an electronic implantable device programmer having a computer processor, and a display screen configured to display information based on signals from the computer processor. The programmer also includes an input device, and a wireless transmitter controlled by the computer processor. The programmer display and input give the operator the option of programming an implanted electronic device in a cautery-safe mode. With this input, from the operator, instructions are provided in the programmer to transmit a signal from the wireless transmission device to the implanted electronic device to program the electronic device to be in a dedicated bipolar mode where electrical noise produced when operating an electro-cautery device during and medical/surgical procedure does not interfere with operation of the electronic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A programming device, comprising:
 a computer processor;   a display screen configured to display information based on signals from the computer processor;   an input device;   a wireless transmission device controlled by the computer processor;   instructions to:
 display on the display screen a user interface giving the user the option of programming an implanted electronic device in a cautery-safe mode; 
 receive an input from the input device to place the implanted electronic device in the cautery-safe mode; 
 transmit a signal from the wireless transmission device to the implanted electronic device to program the implanted electronic device to be in a dedicated bipolar mode where electrical noise produced when operating an electro-cautery device does not interfere with operation of the electronic device. 
   
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the dedicated bipolar mode comprises when the sensing electrodes of an electrode pair of the implanted electronic device are within less than about 15 mm of each other. 
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 2 , wherein the electrode pair are within less than about 10 mm of each other. 
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein the implanted electronic device is selected from a group consisting of cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). 
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising instructions to display on the display screen a confirmation that the implanted electronic device is currently in a cautery-safe mode. 
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a printer, and instructions to print a confirmation that the implanted electronic device is programmed to the cautery-safe mode. 
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising instructions to receive an entry indicating a time to return the implanted electronic device to a normal operating mode, and instructions to wirelessly transmit to the implanted electronic device information to return the implanted electronic device to a normal operating mode after the time has elapsed. 
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein the normal operating mode comprises where the ventricular sensing is in an integrated bipolar sensing configuration. 
     
     
         9 . An implantable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing;   a header;   a computer processor;   a sense amplifier within the housing;   at least two electrode selection switches coupled to ventricular sensing electrodes, the sense amplifier and to lead electrode ports within the header;   wherein the computer processor is programmable to a cautery-safe mode such that electro-cautery can be used during a surgical procedure without electrical interference, wherein the cautery-safe mode comprises activating the electrode selection switches to a dedicated bipolar sensing configuration.   
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 9 , further comprising confirming the electrode selection is in a dedicated bipolar sensing configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the sensing electrodes are spaced apart by less than about 10 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 9 , further comprising a lead coupled to the header, wherein the lead includes at least two electrodes that are spaced apart by less than about 10 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to return the electrodes selection switches to a prior operating mode after the passage of a certain period of time. 
     
     
         14 . A hand held programming device comprising:
 a housing that is sized to be hand held;   a computer processor held within the housing;   a wireless communication device coupled to the processor;   at least one button that is coupled to the processor;   wherein the processor is configured to direct the wireless communication device to send a wireless signal to an implantable device when the button is pressed, wherein the wireless signal contains instructions to perform one of the following:
 place the implantable device into a cautery safe mode by switching electrodes of the implantable device to a dedicated bipolar mode; 
 place the implantable device that comprises an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) into a cautery safe mode by disabling an anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy of the ICD; 
 place the implantable device that comprises a pacemaker into a cautery safe mode by effecting asynchronous pacing for the pacemaker. 
   
     
     
         15 . A device as in  claim 14 , wherein the wireless signal contains further instructions to return the implantable device to a normal operating mode after the passage of a certain period of time. 
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 14 , wherein the hand held programmable device comprises a smart phone having a wireless communications interface, and further comprising an application that has been downloaded onto the smart phone using the wireless communications interface, wherein the application permits analysis of and programming for the implantable device