Single-Button Patient Remote for Simpler Medical Device Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current external programming devices for medical devices are overly complex, confusing patients, and there is a need for a simpler, discreet, and user-friendly interface for patients to interact with implantable medical devices.
Innovation Solution
A handheld patient programming remote with a configurable single actuation mechanism, such as a button, that can power the medical device on and off, enable/disable scheduled therapies, or wake it up, and is designed for easy portability and discretion, using Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional programming devices are used, then comprehensive programming functions are available, but device complexity increases and patient usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the programming system into two distinct parts: a simple patient-held remote with minimal controls and a more sophisticated base unit or mobile device that handles complex programming tasks. This segmentation allows the patient interface to remain simple while comprehensive programming capabilities are preserved in the base unit, directly resolving the contradiction between function comprehensiveness and interface simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device or base unit as an intermediary that mediates between the patient's simple remote controls and the complex medical device programming requirements. This intermediary handles the complexity of comprehensive programming functions while presenting a simplified interface to the patient, resolving the contradiction by absorbing complexity in the intermediary layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons and controls are provided, then programming versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to patient confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex programming controls from the patient-held remote and relocates them to the base unit or mobile device. The patient remote retains only essential, simple controls, while comprehensive programming versatility is maintained through the base unit's interface, thereby resolving the contradiction between programming versatility and patient usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic functionality where the patient's simple remote controls can adapt their function based on context, and complex programming options can be accessed dynamically through the mobile device or base unit. This dynamic approach allows versatility to be available when needed while maintaining simplicity during normal patient operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger device with more features is used, then programming capability is improved, but portability and discretion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the programming system into a compact patient remote and a separate base unit or mobile device that contains the comprehensive programming capabilities. This allows the patient to carry a small, discrete remote while the larger, more capable base unit remains stationary or is carried separately, resolving the contradiction between programming capability and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the base unit or mobile device universal, capable of handling all complex programming tasks for multiple different medical devices. This multi-functionality consolidates comprehensive programming capability into a single stationary or occasionally-carried unit, while the patient remote remains small and discrete, resolving the contradiction between programming capability and patient portability requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device system includes a handheld patient remote, the handheld patient programming remote having a configurable single actuation mechanism; and processing circuitry configured to: during a programming phase of a medical device, receive an indication of a type of the medical device to be in communication with the handheld patient programming remote; during the programming phase, receive user input indicative of a user preference; based on the indication of the type of medical device and the user preference, determine a function to be performed with the single actuation mechanism of the handheld patient remote; and configure the single actuation mechanism to perform, in response to patient action, the determined operation.