Programmed follow-up method and system for brain pacemaker implantation

Abstract

This invention provides a programmed follow-up method and system for implanted brain pacemakers. The method includes: a remote programming device acquiring a remote mode selected by the follow-up subject, the remote mode including at least a remote follow-up mode, a remote assistance mode, and a remote programming mode; in the remote follow-up mode, the remote programming device acquiring a remote follow-up task set by the follow-up subject and sending a remote follow-up request to a local programming device; the local programming device accepting the remote follow-up request, receiving and displaying the remote follow-up task, and recording the operations performed by the follow-up subject in response to the remote follow-up task; and the remote programming device acquiring and displaying the evaluation results obtained from evaluating the operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of telemedicine, specifically to a programmed follow-up method and system for implanted brain pacemakers. Background Technology

[0002] Patients who have received deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantation require regular programming and follow-up, which is primarily performed by doctors or medical assistants. Programming refers to the doctor using an external electronic control device to remotely or locally set the DBS device in the patient's body, such as adjusting stimulation parameters and activation time. Follow-up includes, but is not limited to, observing the patient's limb movements, asking the patient questions, completing disease assessment questionnaires, and having the patient write or draw.

[0003] A crucial aspect of the programming and follow-up process is understanding and assessing changes in the patient's symptoms, which often consumes a significant amount of the doctor's time. Moreover, for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, doctors must observe the patient's limb movements and even facial expressions to accurately assess their condition, thus often requiring patients to visit the outpatient clinic for follow-up.

[0004] Many factors influence patients' willingness to visit outpatient clinics for follow-up, such as long distances and patient mobility issues. The high cost of travel makes face-to-face follow-up very expensive, leading patients to prefer remote follow-up using communication devices. However, existing remote follow-up systems only support question-and-answer and questionnaire sending / receiving functions, failing to meet doctors' needs for patient observation. Furthermore, patients with brain stimulation implants may have visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments, making ordinary video communication insufficient for achieving the desired follow-up objectives. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for programmed follow-up of an implanted brain pacemaker, comprising:

[0006] The remote control device obtains the remote mode selected by the follow-up person. The remote mode includes at least a remote follow-up mode, a remote assistance mode, and a remote control mode. In the remote follow-up mode, the remote control device obtains the remote follow-up task set by the follow-up person and sends a remote follow-up request to the local control device.

[0007] The local control device accepts the remote follow-up request, receives and displays the remote follow-up task, and records the operations performed by the follow-up subject in response to the remote follow-up task;

[0008] The remote control device acquires and displays the evaluation results obtained from evaluating the operation.

[0009] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0010] In the remote assistance mode, the remote control device synchronously displays the screen content of the local control device and performs video and / or audio communication.

[0011] Optionally, in the remote assistance mode, the local control device captures the handwritten trajectory of the follow-up subject, and the handwritten trajectory is synchronized to the remote control device so that the follow-up subject can view the handwritten trajectory and its generation process in real time.

[0012] Optionally, the remote follow-up mode and the remote assistance mode can be selected simultaneously to enable the follower to assist the follow-up subject in performing operations related to the remote follow-up task.

[0013] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0014] In the remote programming mode, the remote programming device acquires the programming data set by the follow-up patient and sends the programming data to the proximal programming device; the proximal programming device sends the programming data to the implanted brain pacemaker.

[0015] Optionally, the remote follow-up mode and the remote programmable mode can be selected simultaneously. When both are selected, the remote follow-up task includes an action task.

[0016] The local control device receives and displays the remote follow-up task, specifically including:

[0017] The short-range control device provides prompts to the follow-up subject based on the action task to guide the follow-up subject to perform corresponding physical actions;

[0018] The local control device records the operations performed by the follow-up subject in response to the remote follow-up task, specifically including:

[0019] A short-range programmed device records the body movements of the follow-up subjects;

[0020] The assessment results are the degree to which the follow-up subjects complete the standard movements, based on recorded body movements.

[0021] Optionally, the prompt information includes a demonstration screen of the standard action.

[0022] Optionally, the remote follow-up task includes at least one of a motor task, a verbal task, and a survey task; the motor task is to instruct the follow-up subject to complete a specified physical action; the verbal task is to instruct the follow-up subject to complete a specified verbal training; and the survey task is to instruct the follow-up subject to provide symptom description information.

[0023] Optionally, the remote control device acquires the remote follow-up tasks set by the follow-up recipient, specifically including:

[0024] Obtain the types and order of remote follow-up tasks selected by the follow-up participants;

[0025] Combined follow-up tasks are generated based on the task types and order.

[0026] Accordingly, the present invention provides a programming follow-up system for implantable brain pacemakers, including a remote programming device and a local programming device, for performing the above-described programming follow-up method for implantable brain pacemakers.

[0027] The method and system for programmed follow-up of implanted brain pacemakers provided by this invention offer multiple remote modes. The remote follow-up mode allows the follower to set follow-up tasks and instruct the follow-up subject to perform corresponding operations according to the task requirements. These operations are recorded, and evaluation results are obtained based on the recorded content. The follower can observe, guide, and evaluate the follow-up subject as needed, and can also control the brain pacemaker in the follow-up subject's body in real time, thereby realizing personalized remote follow-up and programmed operation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a programmed follow-up system for an implantable brain pacemaker according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a programming follow-up system for another implantable brain pacemaker in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the programmed follow-up method for implanted brain pacemakers in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0034] Figure 1A programming and follow-up system for an implantable brain pacemaker is shown, including a remote programming device 1 and a proximal programming device 2. The proximal programming device 2 serves as the external control device for the implanted brain pacemaker 3, and the two can communicate wirelessly over short range to transmit operating parameters and operating status. The remote programming device 1 and the proximal programming device 2 communicate remotely via the Internet. The remote programming device 1 can send data to the proximal programming device 2, indirectly setting the operating parameters of the implanted brain pacemaker 3.

[0035] In one embodiment, combined with Figures 1-3 As shown, the remote control device 1 and the local control device 2 are configured to perform the following operations:

[0036] S1, the remote control device 1 obtains the remote mode selected by the follower. The remote mode includes at least the remote follow-up mode, the remote assistance mode, and the remote control mode. In the remote follow-up mode, the remote control device 1 obtains the remote follow-up task set by the follower and sends a remote follow-up request to the local control device 2.

[0037] The remote control device 1 can be installed in a medical institution. Doctors, acting as follow-up personnel, can customize remote follow-up tasks based on the patient's (follow-up subject's) actual situation. These tasks include, but are not limited to, motor tasks, verbal tasks, and survey tasks. Motor tasks instruct the follow-up subject to perform specified physical actions; verbal tasks instruct the follow-up subject to complete specified verbal training, such as sentence reading or picture description, and the specific content of the verbal task can be specified based on a Parkinson's disease assessment scale; survey tasks instruct the follow-up subject to provide symptom description information, which can be based on a Parkinson's disease assessment scale or the specific content of a survey task can be specified based on a Parkinson's disease assessment scale. The survey task can be presented in the form of a questionnaire.

[0038] In the remote follow-up mode, the remote control device 1 can send the remote follow-up task to the local control device 2 in the form of text or audio and video, so as to help the follower solve the communication problem between the follower and the follow-up subject during the remote follow-up process. In particular, it can provide corresponding guidance for the follow-up subject who has language barriers or visual and hearing impairments, so that the follow-up subject can complete the corresponding actions based on the received text, pictures, videos or audio to complete the remote follow-up task.

[0039] S2A, the local control device 2 accepts remote follow-up requests, receives and displays remote follow-up tasks, and records the operations performed by the follow-up subject in response to the remote follow-up tasks;

[0040] The proximal programming device 2 can be placed at the patient's (follow-up subject's) location, with the brain pacemaker 3 implanted within the patient's body. When the follow-up subject controls the proximal programming device 2 to accept the remote follow-up request, the proximal programming device 2 receives the aforementioned remote follow-up task and displays the task content to the follow-up subject via a touch screen or other display unit.

[0041] When the follow-up subject performs tasks, such as motor tasks (which may require the patient to perform limb or facial movements), the proximal programming device 2 captures and saves the images of the movements via a camera unit. For speech training tasks, the proximal programming device 2 records the content spoken by the follow-up subject via an audio recording unit and also records the facial movements of the follow-up subject while speaking via a camera unit. For survey tasks, the proximal programming device 2 saves the completed questionnaires via a storage unit.

[0042] S3A, the remote programmable device 1 acquires and displays the evaluation results obtained from evaluating the operation. The operation of analyzing the evaluation results can be performed by the local programmable device 2 or the remote programmable device 1, or by another server.

[0043] For example, the local control device 2 can send the recorded operation to the remote control device 1, and then the remote control device 1 can obtain an evaluation result based on the operation content; or the local control device 2 can obtain an evaluation result based on the operation content, and then send the evaluation result to the remote control device 1.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the system also includes a remote server 4, which is used for data analysis and storage of evaluation results, thereby eliminating the need for remote control device 1 and / or local control device 2 to perform data processing, thus improving system efficiency.

[0045] The remote server 4 is also used to store template information required for forming remote tasks, including questionnaire templates, standard audio and video presentation information, etc., thereby saving data storage space for the remote control device 1 and the local control device 2. For example, in step S1 above, when the follow-up subject sets up the remote follow-up task in the remote control device 1, he / she only needs to edit the composition information of the remote task; in step S2A, the local control device 2 receives the composition information of the remote task and can download the corresponding data from the remote server 4.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, in the remote follow-up mode, the remote control device 1 acquires the remote follow-up task set by the follower, specifically including:

[0047] S11, Obtain the types and order of remote follow-up tasks selected by the follow-up personnel;

[0048] S12, Generate combined follow-up tasks according to the task types and order.

[0049] The remote control device 1 allows the follow-up personnel to freely arrange and combine the above-mentioned action tasks, verbal tasks, and survey tasks into a customized remote follow-up task.

[0050] The programmed follow-up method and system for implanted brain pacemakers provided in this invention offer multiple remote modes. The remote follow-up mode allows the follower to set follow-up tasks and instruct the follow-up subject to perform corresponding operations according to the task requirements. These operations are recorded, and evaluation results are obtained based on the recorded content. The follower can observe, guide, and evaluate the follow-up subject as needed, and can also control the brain pacemaker in the follow-up subject's body in real time, thereby realizing personalized remote follow-up and programmed operation.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment, the remote control device 1 and the local control device 2 are further configured to perform the following operations:

[0052] In S2B, in remote assistance mode, the remote control device 1 synchronously displays the screen content of the local control device 2 and performs video and / or audio communication.

[0053] Furthermore, to more clearly assess the patient's condition, in remote assistance mode, the proximal programming device 2 captures the subject's handwriting trajectory, for example, by recording the handwriting trajectory through a touch screen or camera unit. The handwriting trajectory is synchronized to the remote programming device 1 so that the follow-up subject can view the handwriting trajectory and its generation process in real time.

[0054] Steps S2B and S2A above can be considered two independent branches; that is, the remote assistance mode can be activated independently or simultaneously with the remote follow-up mode. When activated independently, it helps both the follower and the recipient resolve teaching problems encountered during software use. When activated simultaneously with the remote follow-up mode, the follower can observe the recipient's task completion process on the handwriting screen and can correct the recipient's actions during this process. For example, if the task requires the recipient to draw using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) / Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), guidance can be provided during the task.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, the remote control device 1 and the local control device 2 are further configured to perform the following operations:

[0056] In S2C, under remote control mode, remote control device 1 acquires the control data set by the follow-up user and sends the control data to local control device 2.

[0057] S3C, the proximal programming device 2 sends programming data to the implanted brain pacemaker 3 to change its working state.

[0058] The above steps S2C and S2A can be considered as two independent branches, meaning that the remote control mode can be activated independently or simultaneously with the remote follow-up mode. When activated simultaneously, the remote follow-up task preferably includes an action task.

[0059] Furthermore, step S2A specifically includes:

[0060] S2A1, the near-field programming device 2 provides prompts to the follow-up subject based on the action task to guide the subject to perform corresponding physical actions. These prompts can be demonstrations of standard actions, such as illustrations, animations, or videos of people.

[0061] S2A2, a short-range programming device 2, records the body movements of the follow-up subjects.

[0062] The assessment result of a motor task is the degree to which the follow-up subject completes the standard movement based on recorded body movements. For example, the actual body movement data of the follow-up subject can be compared with the corresponding standard movement data to determine the subject's completion of the movement. The assessment result can be a conclusion on whether the standard movement can be completed or the gap between the subject and the standard movement.

[0063] In a practical application scenario, an exemplary process is as follows: The follow-up participant first operates the remote programming device 1 to select the remote assistance mode, guiding or assisting the follow-up participant in correctly using the proximal programming device 2, such as guiding the follow-up participant to position their body in the center of the image captured by the proximal programming device 2. Then, the follow-up participant simultaneously activates the remote programming mode and the remote follow-up mode, sets the programming data, and provides the follow-up participant with the action task. While the proximal programming device 2 changes the working state of the implanted brain pacemaker 3, it records the follow-up participant's completion of the body movements. Finally, the remote programming device 1 obtains the evaluation results.

[0064] According to the programming and follow-up system and method for implantable brain pacemakers provided in the embodiments of the present invention, doctors can obtain the evaluation results of the patient's physical movements in real time during remote programming, organically combining programming and follow-up, and obtaining the patient's response to remote programming in real time. The effect of follow-up is even better than face-to-face follow-up.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present invention can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0066] This invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0067] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0068] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0069] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A programmed follow-up system for implanted brain pacemakers, characterized in that, It includes a remote control device, a local control device, and a remote server. The remote server is used to store template information required to form a remote task, including audio and video demonstration information of the questionnaire template standard. The remote control device is used to obtain the remote mode selected by the follow-up person. The remote mode includes at least a remote follow-up mode, a remote assistance mode, and a remote control mode. In the remote follow-up mode, the remote control device obtains the remote follow-up task set by the follow-up person, sends a remote follow-up request to the local control device, and sends the remote follow-up task to the local control device in the form of text or audio and video. The local control device is used to accept the remote follow-up request, receive and display the remote follow-up task, and record the operations performed by the follow-up subject in response to the remote follow-up task; the remote follow-up task includes at least one of a motor task, a verbal task, and a survey task; the motor task is to instruct the follow-up subject to complete a specified physical action; the verbal task is to instruct the follow-up subject to complete a specified verbal training; the survey task is to instruct the follow-up subject to provide symptom description information; The remote programmable device is used to acquire and display the evaluation results obtained from evaluating the operation; In the remote assistance mode, the local control device is used to capture the handwriting trajectory of the follow-up subject, and the handwriting trajectory is synchronized to the remote control device so that the follow-up subject can view the handwriting trajectory and its generation process in real time; The remote follow-up mode and the remote assistance mode can be selected simultaneously to enable the follower to assist the follow-up subject in performing operations related to the remote follow-up task; The remote follow-up mode and the remote program control mode can be selected simultaneously. When they are selected simultaneously, the remote follow-up task includes an action task. The local control device receives and displays the remote follow-up task, specifically including: The short-range control device provides prompts to the follow-up subject based on the action task to guide the follow-up subject to perform corresponding physical actions; The local control device records the operations performed by the follow-up subject in response to the remote follow-up task, specifically including: The physical movements of the subjects were recorded using a short-range programmed device; The assessment result is the degree to which the follow-up subject completes the standard action based on the recorded body movements; the degree of completion is the difference between the follow-up subject's actual body movement data and the corresponding standard action data.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes: In the remote assistance mode, the remote control device synchronously displays the screen content of the local control device and performs video and / or audio communication.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes: In the remote programming mode, the remote programming device acquires the programming data set by the follow-up patient and sends the programming data to the proximal programming device; the proximal programming device sends the programming data to the implanted brain pacemaker.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The prompt message includes a demonstration of the standard actions.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The remote follow-up tasks set by the follow-up recipients and acquired by the remote control device specifically include: Obtain the types and order of remote follow-up tasks selected by the follow-up participants; Combined follow-up tasks are generated based on the task types and order.

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