Prescribed Neuromodulation Dose Delivery

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing stimulation therapy are disclosed. Embodiments of the system include an implantable stimulator and an external controller configured to control the implantable stimulator. A clinician can prescribe a set amount of stimulation therapy to a patient. The external controller is programmed with the prescription. As the patient uses the external controller and the stimulator device the external controller tracks the amount of stimulation the patient uses. Once the patient has used all of the prescribed therapy the patient may return to the clinician for a follow-up appointment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing a prescribed amount of stimulation to a patient using an implantable stimulator device that is implantable in the patient and an external controller configured to control the implantable stimulator device, the method comprising:
 receiving a prescription for stimulation, wherein the prescription quantifies the prescribed amount of stimulation,   using the external controller to instruct the implantable stimulator device to provide stimulation,   tracking the provided stimulation to determine an amount of provided stimulation,   determining a difference between the prescribed amount of stimulation and the amount of provided stimulation, wherein the difference indicates the amount of stimulation remaining on the prescription and/or an amount of the prescription used, and   providing an indication of the difference.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prescribed amount of stimulation is based on a total amount of actively delivered charge to be delivered to the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prescribed amount of stimulation is based on a total amount of time that stimulation is to be provided to the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prescribed amount of stimulation is based on a total number of boluses of stimulation to be delivered to the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each bolus of stimulation comprises a specified duration during which stimulation is to be delivered to the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each bolus of stimulation comprises an amount of actively driven charge to be delivered to the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing an indication of the difference comprises displaying an indication of the difference on a user interface of the external controller. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing an indication of the difference comprises sending a message to a remote location. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving a prescription comprises receiving the prescription from a clinician programmer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of receiving a prescription, tracking the provided stimulation, and determining a difference between the prescribed amount of stimulation and the amount of provided stimulation are performed by the implantable stimulator device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of receiving a prescription, tracking the provided stimulation, and determining a difference between the prescribed amount of stimulation and the amount of provided stimulation are performed by the external controller. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using an external power supply to provide RF power to the implantable stimulator device to provide stimulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the external power supply is part of the external controller. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the external power supply is separate from the external controller. 
     
     
         15 . A system for providing a prescribed amount of stimulation to a patient, the system comprising: an implantable stimulator device that is implantable in the patient and an external controller configured to control the implantable stimulator device, wherein the system is configured to:
 receive a prescription for stimulation, wherein the prescription quantifies the prescribed amount of stimulation to be provided by the implantable stimulator device,   provide stimulation,   track the provided stimulation and determine an amount of provided stimulation,   determine a difference between the prescribed amount of stimulation and the amount of provided stimulation, wherein the difference indicates the amount of stimulation remaining on the prescription and/or an amount of the prescription used, and   provide an indication of the difference.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the steps of receiving a prescription, tracking the provided stimulation, and determining a difference between the prescribed amount of stimulation and the amount of provided stimulation are performed by the implantable stimulator device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the steps of receiving a prescription, tracking the provided stimulation, and determining a difference between the prescribed amount of stimulation and the amount of provided stimulation are performed by the external controller. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a clinician programmer configured to:
 determine the prescription for stimulation, and   transmit the prescription for stimulation to either the implantable stimulator device or the external controller.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein determining the prescription for stimulation comprises:
 receiving a stimulation program comprising one or more parameters of a stimulation waveform,   receiving one or more inputs indicating an amount of stimulation to be provided to the patient, and   calculating the prescription for stimulation based on the stimulation program and the one or more inputs.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising an external power supply configured to provide RF power to the implantable stimulator device for providing stimulation.