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 ).

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for patient self-administered neurostimulation therapy, the apparatus comprising:
 a neurostimulator for being implanted in the patient head to deliver stimulation therapy to a neural structure; and   a remote controller for being held adjacent the patient's body in order to self-administer neurostimulation therapy in response to the onset of a medical condition perceived by the patient, the remote controller being adapted to inductively power the neurostimulator and communicate wirelessly with the neurostimulator to apply the neurostimulation therapy,   wherein the remote controller is adapted to provide a non-visual feedback indication to the patient that the remote controller has reached a position on the patient's body where the relative positions of the remote controller and the neurostimulator are approaching an optimal communication position.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the remote controller is adapted so that the patient can employ the non-visual feedback indication to initially position and maintain the remote controller at the optimal communication position to facilitate the self-applied neurostimulation therapy without viewing the controller. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the neural structure is a peripheral, central, or autonomic neural structure 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the neural structure is a sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion (SPG). 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the neurostimulator stores all of the patient-specific stimulation parameters and therapy settings, the neurostimulator being adapted to apply stimulation therapy to the patient according to the stimulation parameters and therapy settings stored in the neurostimulator. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing the stimulation therapy under the power of the remote controller without requiring any parameters or settings from the remote controller. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the medical condition is a primary headache. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the remote controller comprises a body portion that houses a power and communication antenna, a processor and memory supply for controlling power supply and communication via the antenna, and a power supply for powering the antenna, processor, and memory, the body portion having an ergonomic design to facilitate patient hand-held positioning of the controller to self-administer the neurostimulation therapy. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the feedback comprises a vibratory feedback having at least one of a frequency and intensity that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus recited in  claim 27 , wherein at least one of the frequency and intensity of the vibratory feedback changes as the relative position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator approach an optimal communication position. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the feedback 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 neurostimulator. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus recited in  claim 29 , wherein the characteristic that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator comprises at least one of a tone, volume, tone rate, and a voice command. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the feedback comprises at least one of an audible feedback, a vibratory feedback, a shape/pressure feedback, a thermal feedback, and a gyroscopic feedback. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus recited in  claim 19 , wherein the feedback further comprises a communication maintenance feedback responsive to maintaining an optimal communication position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator, once established. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus recited in  claim 32 , wherein the communication maintenance feedback is communicated by at least one of an audible feedback and a vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus recited in  claim 32 , 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 an audible feedback and a vibratory feedback in response to the deviation. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus for patient self-administered neurostimulation therapy to the sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion (SPG) to treat a primary headache, the apparatus comprising:
 a neurostimulator for being implanted in the patient's head to deliver stimulation therapy to the SPG; and   a remote controller for being hand-held adjacent the head by the patient in order to self-administer neurostimulation therapy SPG in response to the patient's perceiving the onset of the primary headache, the remote controller being adapted to inductively power the neurostimulator and to communicate wirelessly with the neurostimulator to apply the therapy to the SPG to treat the primary headache,   wherein the remote controller is adapted to provide a non-visual feedback indication to the patient that the remote controller has reached a position on the patient's head where the relative positions of the remote controller and the neurostimulator are approaching an optimal communication position.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus recited in  claim 35 , wherein the remote controller is adapted so that the patient can employ the non-visual feedback indication to initially position and maintain the remote controller at the optimal communication position to facilitate the self-applied neurostimulation therapy to the SPG without viewing the controller. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus recited in  claim 35 , wherein the neurostimulator stores at least one of stimulation parameters and therapy settings, the neurostimulator being adapted to apply stimulation therapy to the patient according to the at least one of stimulation parameters and therapy settings. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus recited in  claim 37 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing the stimulation therapy under the power of the remote controller without requiring any parameters or settings from the remote controller. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus recited in  claim 35 , wherein the feedback comprises a vibratory feedback having at least one of a frequency and intensity that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus recited in  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the frequency and intensity of the vibratory feedback changes as the relative position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator approach an optimal communication position. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus recited in  claim 35 , wherein the feedback 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 neurostimulator. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus recited in  claim 41 , wherein the characteristic that varies in response to the relative position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator comprises at least one of a tone, volume, tone rate, and a voice command. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus recited in  claim 35 , wherein the feedback comprises at least one of an audible feedback, a vibratory feedback, a shape/pressure feedback, a thermal feedback, and a gyroscopic feedback. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus recited in  claim 43 , wherein the feedback further comprises a communication maintenance feedback responsive to maintaining an optimal communication position of the remote controller and the neurostimulator, once established. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus recited in  claim 44 , wherein the communication maintenance feedback is communicated by at least one of an audible feedback and a vibratory feedback. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus recited in  claim 44 , 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 an audible feedback and a vibratory feedback in response to the deviation.