Systems and methods for managing remote therapy sessions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022105350-A1
Application number	US-202017065176-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 7, 2020
Priority date	Oct 7, 2020
Publication date	Apr 7, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing communications in a remote therapy system. A method includes initiating a remote therapy session by establishing communications between a patient device and an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, and establishing communications between the patient device and a clinician device, determining, using the patient device, a distance between the patient and the patient device, comparing, using the patient device, the determined distance to a threshold distance, and managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device based on the comparison.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for managing communications in a remote therapy system, the method comprising:
initiating a remote therapy session by establishing communications between a patient device and an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, and establishing communications between the patient device and a clinician device; determining, using the patient device, a distance between the patient and the patient device; comparing, using the patient device, the determined distance to a threshold distance; and managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device based on the comparison.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device comprises terminating the communications between the implantable medical device and the patient device when the determined distance is greater than the threshold distance and the implantable medical device is currently communicatively coupled to the patient device.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device comprises reestablishing the communications between the implantable medical device and the patient device when the determined distance is less than the threshold distance and the implantable medical device is not currently communicatively coupled to the patient device.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device comprises causing the clinician device to indicate a connectivity status between the patient device and the implantable medical device.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implantable medical device is a neuromodulation device.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device comprises increasing a power level of at least one of the patient device and the implantable medical device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein managing the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device comprises causing the implantable medical device to generate an alert observable by the patient, the alert indicating a connectivity status between the patient device and the implantable medical device.

8 . A computing device for managing communications in a remote therapy system, the computing device comprising:
a memory device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory device, the processor configured to:
initiate a remote therapy session by establishing communications between a patient device and an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, and establishing communications between the patient device and a clinician device;
determine a distance between the patient and the patient device;
compare the determined distance to a threshold distance; and
manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device based on the comparison.

9 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the computing device comprises the patient device.

10 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the processor is configured to terminate the communications between the implantable medical device and the patient device when the determined distance is greater than the threshold distance and the implantable medical device is currently communicatively coupled to the patient device.

11 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the processor is configured to reestablish the communications between the implantable medical device and the patient device when the determined distance is less than the threshold distance and the implantable medical device is not currently communicatively coupled to the patient device.

12 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the processor is configured to cause the clinician device to indicate a connectivity status between the patient device and the implantable medical device.

13 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the processor is configured to increase a power level of at least one of the patient device and the implantable medical device.

14 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the processor is configured to cause the implantable medical device to generate an alert observable by the patient, the alert indicating a connectivity status between the patient device and the implantable medical device.

15 . Non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions thereon, wherein when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the processor of the computing device to:
initiate a remote therapy session by establishing communications between a patient device and an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, and establishing communications between the patient device and a clinician device; determine a distance between the patient and the patient device; compare the determined distance to a threshold distance; and manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device based on the comparison.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the instructions cause the processor to terminate the communications between the implantable medical device and the patient device when the determined distance is greater than the threshold distance and the implantable medical device is currently communicatively coupled to the patient device.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the instructions cause the processor to reestablish the communications between the implantable medical device and the patient device when the determined distance is less than the threshold distance and the implantable medical device is not currently communicatively coupled to the patient device.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the instructions cause the processor to cause the clinician device to indicate a connectivity status between the patient device and the implantable medical device.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the instructions cause the processor to increase a power level of at least one of the patient device and the implantable medical device.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein to manage the communications between the patient device and the implantable medical device, the instructions cause the processor to cause the implantable medical device to generate an alert observable by the patient, the alert indicating a connectivity status between the patient device and the implantable medical device.

Assignees

• Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc

Inventors

• Debates Scott
• Ibarrola Germinal
• Lautner Doug

Classifications

• G16H40/67 Primary

  for remote operation · CPC title

• A61N1/37282

  characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network · CPC title

• A61N1/3605

  Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system · CPC title

• A61N1/3606

  adapted for a particular treatment · CPC title

• A61N1/37264 Primary

  Changing the program; Upgrading firmware · CPC title