Dual patient controllers

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods incorporate the most-used functions of a electrical stimulator's controller into a small, thin pocket controller that is not only comfortable to carry in a pocket, but can also be attached to a key ring, lanyard, or other such carrying device for ease of daily use. A separate patient controller charger is used to charge and control the implanted medical device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An integrated controller charger operable to both charge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device and control the implantable medical device, the controller charger comprising:
 a communication module including:
 a first transmitter adapted for use by implanted medical devices and configured to transmit a first signal from the controller charger to the implantable medical device using a first antenna, and 
 a second transmitter for transmitting a second signal to the implanted medical device using a second antenna different than the first antenna; and 
   a power charging module having an inductive coil configured for transmitting energy from the controller charger to a battery in the implantable medical device for charging said battery.   
     
     
         2 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured to display information to a user relating to charging the implant and relating to stimulation programs enabled on the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         3 . The controller charger of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is further configured to display the charging status of an implanted medical device and display the charging status of the power charging module. 
     
     
         4 . The controller charger of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is further configured to receive inputs selecting a stimulation program operable on an implanted medical device. 
     
     
         5 . The controller charger of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen display arranged to receive inputs from user. 
     
     
         6 . The controller charger of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface comprises an LED indicator and speaker or amplifier for alerting a user to a condition of an implantable device and a condition of the controller charger. 
     
     
         7 . The controller charger of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface comprises a selectable button for selecting a charge function that enables the power charging module and a selectable button for modifying a stimulation program on an implantable medical device. 
     
     
         8 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to individually control the transmission of the first signal by said transceiver, the transmission of the second signal by said wake-up transmitter, and the energy transmitted by said power charging module. 
     
     
         9 . The controller charger of  claim 8 , further comprising an external connector configured to receive power from an external power source and charge the rechargeable power source of the controller charger. 
     
     
         10 . The controller charger of  claim 8 , wherein the rechargeable power source is disposed between the external connector and the power charging module, and wherein the rechargeable power source is disposed between the external connector and the control module. 
     
     
         11 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor provided near said inductive coil for monitoring a temperature of said conductive coil. 
     
     
         12 . The controller charger of  claim 11 , further comprising a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, and wherein said control module monitors the temperature of said conductive coil, such that said energy transmitted from said inductive coil is reduced if said temperature rises above a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The controller charger of  claim 12 , wherein the control module comprises blue-tooth or WiFi enabled transmission capability. 
     
     
         14 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , wherein said first transmitter transmits at a first frequency range, and wherein said second transmitter transmits at a second frequency range substantially higher than said first frequency range. 
     
     
         15 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller-charger portion and a coil portion, the controller-charger portion comprising the user interface and the communication module, the controller-charger portion and the coil portion being connected by a flexible cable. 
     
     
         16 . The controller charger of  claim 15 , wherein the controller-charger portion is configured to communicate with an implantable medical device while the coil portion generates an inductive field for charging the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         17 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, wherein the control module is operable to permit a user to control features on an implantable medical device including a) electrical stimulation on/off selection, b) stimulation amplitude adjustment, c) electrical stimulation program selection, d) adjusting stimulation program frequency, e) providing detailed IPG status, f) enabling PPC setup/configuration, and g) indicating both PPC and IPG battery status. 
     
     
         18 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , wherein the second antenna is configured to transmit at a frequency range in the gigaherz range. 
     
     
         19 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface including:
 a touchscreen display configured to cooperate with said controller to display information, including medical device battery power level information, to the user, said touchscreen display also being configured to receive user inputs,   a button for returning said touchscreen display to a home screen;   at least one LED light for showing a status of the integrated controller charger; and   a speaker for providing an audio indication of a status of the integrated controller charger.   
     
     
         20 . The controller charger of  claim 1 , further comprising a case configured for encasing said charging coil, said case also including a first loop portion forming a first oblong hole, and a second loop portion forming a second oblong hole, wherein said loop portions are configured for receiving a strap or belt configured for holding said case to the body of a user. 
     
     
         21 . An integrated controller charger operable to both charge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device and control the implantable medical device, the controller charger comprising:
 a communication module including:
 a transceiver operable in a first frequency range adapted for use by implanted medical devices and configured to transmit information from the controller charger using a first antenna to the implantable medical device and configured to receive information from the implanted medical device, and 
 a wake-up transmitter operable in a second frequency range for transmitting a wake-up signal to the implanted medical device using a second antenna, said second frequency range being different than said first frequency range; and 
   a power charging module having an inductive coil, said power charging module being configured to transmit energy from the controller charger to a battery in the implantable medical device for charging said battery.   
     
     
         22 . The controller charger of  claim 21 , wherein said second frequency is substantially greater than said first frequency. 
     
     
         23 . The controller charger of  claim 21 , further comprising a case configured for encasing said charging coil, said case also including a first loop portion forming a first oblong hole, and a second loop portion forming a second oblong hole, wherein said loop portions are configured for receiving a strap or belt configured for holding said case to the body of a user. 
     
     
         24 . The controller charger of  claim 21 , further comprising a temperature sensor provided near said inductive coil for monitoring a temperature of said conductive coil. 
     
     
         25 . The controller charger of  claim 24 , further comprising a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, and wherein said control module monitors the temperature of said conductive coil, such that said energy transmitted from said inductive coil is reduced if said temperature rises above a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The controller charger of  claim 21 , further comprising a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, and wherein said control module individually controls the transmission of information by said transceiver, the transmission of the wake-up signal by said wake-up transmitter, and the energy transmitted by said power charging module. 
     
     
         27 . An integrated controller charger operable to both charge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device and control the implantable medical device, the controller charger comprising:
 a communication module including:
 a transceiver operable in a first frequency range adapted for use by implanted medical devices and configured to transmit information from the controller charger to the implantable medical device and configured to receive information from the implanted medical device, and 
 a wake-up transmitter separate from said transceiver for transmitting a wake-up signal to the implanted medical device; 
   a power charging module having an inductive coil, said power charging module being configured to transmit energy from the controller charger to a battery in the implantable medical device for charging said battery; and   a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, and wherein said control module individually controls the transmission of information by said transceiver, the transmission of the wake-up signal by said wake-up transmitter, and the energy transmitted by said power charging module.   
     
     
         28 . An integrated controller charger operable to both charge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device and control the implantable medical device, the controller charger comprising:
 a communication module configured to transmit information at a first frequency range from the controller charger to the implantable medical device using a first antenna and configured to receive information from the implanted medical device;   a power charging module including a coil portion comprising:   a charging coil configured to transmit energy storable at the rechargeable power source on the implantable medical device, and   a case configured for encasing said charging coil, said case also including a first loop portion forming a first oblong hole, and a second loop portion forming a second oblong hole, wherein said loop portions are configured for receiving a strap or belt configured for holding said case to the body of a user; and   a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device.   
     
     
         29 . The controller charger of  claim 28 , further comprising a user interface including:
 a touchscreen display configured to display information to the user and also being configured to receive user inputs,   a button for returning said touchscreen display to a home screen; and   at least one LED light for showing a status of the integrated controller charger.   
     
     
         30 . The controller charger of  claim 28 , further comprising a wake-up transmitter o for transmitting a signal in a second frequency range to the implanted medical device using a second antenna, said second frequency range being different than said first frequency range. 
     
     
         31 . The controller charger of  claim 30 , wherein said second frequency range is in the gigahertz range. 
     
     
         32 . An integrated controller charger configured to both charge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device and control the implantable medical device, the controller charger comprising:
 a communication module configured to transmit information from the controller charger to the implantable medical device and configured to receive information from the implanted medical device;   a power charging module including a coil portion configured to transmit energy storable at the rechargeable power source on the implantable medical device, said power charging module including a temperature sensor configured to read a temperature of the coil portion; and   a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, wherein   said control module is also adapted to monitor the temperature of the coil portion.   
     
     
         33 . The controller charger of  claim 32 , wherein said control module monitors the temperature of said conductive coil, such that said energy transmitted from said inductive coil is reduced if said temperature rises above a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         34 . An integrated controller charger operable to both charge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device and control the implantable medical device, the controller charger comprising:
 a communication module including:
 a transceiver operable in a first frequency range adapted for use by implanted medical devices and configured to transmit information from the controller charger to the implantable medical device and configured to receive information from the implanted medical device, and 
 a wake-up transmitter for transmitting a wake-up signal to the implanted medical device; 
   a power charging module including a coil portion configured to transmit energy storable at the rechargeable power source on the implantable medical device, said power charging module including a temperature sensor configured to read a temperature of the coil portion; and   a control module configured to control both the communication module and the power charging module, the control module comprising a processor and a memory and being operable to convey the information received from the implanted medical device to a user and generate signals to activate the stimulation programs on the implanted medical device, wherein   said control module is also adapted to monitor the temperature of the coil portion such that the energy transmitted by the coil portion can be adjusted by said control module based on said temperature.   
     
     
         35 . The controller charger of  claim 34 , wherein the control module is operable to individually control the transmission of the information by said transceiver, the transmission of the wake-up signal by said wake-up transmitter, and the energy transmitted by said power charging module.