Verification that a patient with an implantable medical system can undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan

Verification that an implantable medical system within a patient is MRI safe is provided. Several verifications may be performed such as verifying that the device and leads are of an MRI safe type, that the leads have adequate electrical integrity, that the device has entered an MRI safe mode, that the lead routing and device placement are MRI safe, and that the MRI settings of the MRI machine are safe for the implantable medical system. The result of these verifications may lead to a conclusion that the implantable medical system of interest is or is not MRI safe for a given MRI scan. An indication of this result may be output such as via a display so that an MRI technician can have some assurance as to whether to conduct the MRI scan.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments are related to implantable medical systems. More particularly, embodiments are related to verifying that patients with implantable medical systems can undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan.

BACKGROUND

Implantable medical systems including implantable medical devices (IMD) and associated implantable medical leads provide functions such as stimulation of muscle or neurological tissue and/or sensing of physiological occurrences within the body of a patient. Typically, the IMD is installed in a subcutaneous location that is accommodating and relatively accessible for implantation. For instance, to provide stimulation near the spine or pelvis, the IMD may be installed in a pocket located on the abdomen or upper buttocks region of the patient. The implantable medical lead is installed, either through a percutaneous procedure or a surgical procedure, depending upon the type of lead that is necessary.

Once installed, the lead extends from the stimulation site to the location of the IMD. The separation of the stimulation site to the location of the IMD varies, but may typically range from about 20 cm to about 100 cm. For relatively lengthy separation, if a lead of adequate length is unavailable then a lead extension may be implanted to span from the IMD to a proximal end of the implantable lead.

The implantable medical lead includes electrical connectors on a proximal end, electrodes on a distal end, and conductive filars interconnecting the connectors to the electrodes. When an extension is present, the implantable extension includes a connector block on the distal end that connects to the proximal connectors of the lead and includes connectors on the proximal end that connects to the IMD. The lead and the extension include a jacket, often made of a flexible but biocompatible polymer, and the filars are insulated from the body tissue by the jacket. However, the filars are not insulated by the jacket from the presence of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum induces currents into the filars and thus presents current at the electrode that is unintended. In the patient's normal daily experience, the level of RF radiation that is encountered is at a negligible level, and there is no danger of heating of tissue by the unintended current that may result.

RF radiation poses a risk to tissue in contact with the electrodes when the intensity is significantly higher than the background levels. The surface area of each electrode is relatively small so that a small amount of tissue must dissipate a potentially large amount of induced current. In particular, if the patient is exposed to the RF radiation from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, there is a high probability that tissue damage at the stimulation site(s) can occur. This tissue damage may be very dangerous, particularly so for neurological tissue. Therefore, patients with IMDs are typically not permitted to have a body coil MRI scan for at least these reasons.

Implantable medical systems are being developed to allow patients having such implantable medical systems to undergo an MRI scan. However, MRI technicians may be reluctant to conduct the MRI scan for a patient with an implantable medical system because the MRI technicians may not know whether the implantable medical system is safe for an MRI scan.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves verifying by the external device that a route that the implantable medical lead takes within the patient is acceptable for an MRI scan. The method further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical lead.

SUMMARY

Embodiments address issues such as these and others by providing verification that an implantable medical system within a patient is safe for an MRI scan. An external device may conduct various checks to verify that the implantable medical system is or is not safe for a given MRI scan. The external device may then provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is safe for the MRI scan so that the MRI technician may know whether the MRI scan can be conducted.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves verifying by an external device that an implantable medical device of the implantable medical system is of a type that is acceptable for the MRI scan. The method further involves verifying by the external device that an implantable medical lead of the implantable medical system is of a type that is acceptable for the MRI scan. The method also further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical device and the implantable medical lead.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves verifying by the external device that the implantable medical device has entered an MRI safe state. The method further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical device.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves verifying by the external device that the implantable medical lead has adequate integrity by lacking short circuits and open circuits. The method further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical lead.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves analyzing by the external device MRI scan settings of an MRI machine. The method further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the analyzing of the MRI scan settings.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves verifying by the external device that a route that the implantable medical lead takes within the patient is acceptable for an MRI scan. The method further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical lead.

Embodiments provide a method of checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The method involves verifying by the external device that a placement of the implantable medical device within the patient is acceptable for an MRI scan. The method further involves providing by the external device an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical device.

Embodiments provide an external device for checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The external device includes a processor configured to verify that an implantable medical device of the implantable medical system is of a type that is acceptable for the MRI scan. The processor is further configured to verify that an implantable medical lead of the implantable medical system is of a type that is acceptable for the MRI scan. The processor is further configured to provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical device and the implantable medical lead.

Embodiments provide an external device for checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The external device includes a processor configured to verify that an implantable medical device of the implantable medical system has entered an MRI safe state. The processor is further configured to provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical device.

Embodiments provide an external device for checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The external device includes a processor configured to verify that an implantable medical lead of the implantable medical system has adequate integrity by lacking short circuits and open circuits. The processor is further configured to provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical lead.

Embodiments provide an external device for checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The external device includes a processor configured to analyze MRI scan settings of an MRI machine. The processor is further configured to provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the analyzing of the MRI scan settings.

Embodiments provide an external device for checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The external device includes a processor configured to verify that a route that an implantable medical lead of the implantable medical system takes within the patient is acceptable for an MRI scan. The processor is further configured to provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical lead.

Embodiments provide an external device for checking whether a magnetic resonance (MRI) image scan can be performed for a patient who has an implantable medical system. The external device includes a processor configured to verify that a placement of an implantable medical device of the implantable medical system within the patient is acceptable for an MRI scan. The processor is further configured to provide an indication of whether the implantable medical system is acceptable for the MRI scan based on the verifying of the implantable medical device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide for verification of whether an implantable medical system within a patient is MRI safe such that the patient may undergo an MRI scan. The verification may be performed by an external device that communicates with the implantable medical device (IMD) of the patient to gather MRI related information. The verification may further involve instructing the IMD to enter an MRI safe mode, specifying and/or measuring MRI machine settings, and providing an indication of whether the implantable medical system is safe for a given MRI scan.

FIG. 1shows an external device102in communication with an IMD104that is implanted within a patient108. The external device102may be one of various device types, such as a device programmer, a patient therapy manager (PTM), or a dedicated MRI verification device. Likewise, the IMD104may be of various device types as well such as a stimulator or a monitoring device. The IMD104has medical components such as implantable medical leads106that may be used for stimulation and/or sensing. The IMD104together with the leads106forms an implantable medical system.

The external device102and the IMD104typically communicate through a form of telemetry. In the case of a wireless communication link, wireless signals110are sent by the external device102and are received by the IMD104. Likewise, wireless signals112are sent by the IMD104and are received by the external device102. As an example, the telemetry may use radio frequency (RF) signaling where an antenna of the external device102and the IMD104are separated by a larger distance than occurs with near field telemetry to provide added convenience. Near field telemetry may be used instead of RF signaling.

Typically, when the time for verifying that the implantable medical system is MRI safe, the external device102initiates a communication session with the IMD104. The external device102may query the IMD104for various pieces of information relating to the IMD104and the leads106that the IMD104maintains. The external device102makes a determination about whether the implantable medical system is MRI safe by analyzing this information.

FIG. 2shows the remaining portion of the operating environment for the various embodiments. Here, an MRI machine114is shown. As is well known, the MRI machine114produces various static and gradient magnetic fields as well as radio frequency radiation. Settings of the MRI machine114control aspects of these fields and radiation, such as the intensities of each.

A given implantable medical system may be MRI safe for a particular range of these settings. Therefore, one aspect of verifying whether the implantable medical system is MRI safe for a given MRI scan is to directly measure these values by placing the external device102within the patient cylinder of the MRI machine114. In such a case, the external device102includes MRI related sensors to measure these values directly and to base a conclusion of whether the implantable medical system is MRI safe in part on these measured values.

FIG. 3shows components of one example of the external device102. The external device102includes a memory202, a processor204, and may also include a storage device206. The external device102may also include local input/output (I/O) ports208such as to provide local screen displays and to receive user input via a keypad, touchscreen, and so forth. The external device102also includes communication circuitry210used to establish the telemetry to the IMD104. The communication circuitry210may drive a signal propagation tool212, such as an RF antenna or a read/write head.

The memory202may be used to store information in use by the processor204. For instance, the memory202may store the MRI related information that has been obtained from the IMD104as well as any information related to the MRI machine114such as the settings and/or measured values. The memory202may also store programming that is used by the processor204to control the verification actions of the external device102. The memory202may be of various types, such as volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of the two.

The storage device206may be used to store information for a long term and may be of various types such as non-volatile so that the information is retained when the external device102is powered off. The storage device206may also store programming for the processor204that is implemented to control the verification actions. Examples of the storage device206include electronic, magnetic, and optical drives. However, storage other than the magnetic type may be used where the external device102may be measuring MRI values directly. The storage device206and the memory202are both examples of computer readable media that may store information in the form of computer programming, data structures, and the like.

The processor204performs logical operations such as those ofFIGS. 6A-6Dto allow MRI related information to be gathered from the IMD104and the MRI machine114. The processor204may perform additional logical operations to provide an output of information such as a visual display of allowable MRI settings and an indication of whether the implantable medical system is MRI safe. The processor204may be of various forms. For instance, the processor204may be a general-purpose programmable processor that executes software that is stored on the storage device206or elsewhere. Other examples include a dedicated purpose hardware circuit or hard-wired digital logic. The processor204may communicate with the various other components through one or more data buses.

The external device102may also include MRI sensors214. These sensors214may be used to measure the MRI values for static and gradient magnetic fields and for RF power during a test prior to placing the patient within the MRI machine114. The MRI sensors214may include Hall effect sensors, coils to detect induced currents, antennas to receive RF energy and to measure its power via root mean square calculations or other means, phased locked loops or other circuitry to measure the frequency of received RF or magnetic energy, or a load material with coupled temperature sensing such as a thermocouple or thermistor to measure induced heating.

FIG. 4shows components of one example of the IMD104. The IMD104includes a memory302and a processor304. The IMD104also includes therapy circuitry306that performs a medical task such as stimulation and/or monitoring. The IMD104also includes communication circuitry308used to establish the telemetry to the external device102. The communication circuitry308may drive a signal propagation tool310, such as an integral RF or near field antenna.

The memory302may be used to store information in use by the processor304such as programming and data values including the MRI related information. The memory302may store additional information including therapy parameters that are used to control the therapy circuitry306. The memory302may be of various types such as volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of the two. The memory302is also an example of computer readable media that may store information in the form of computer programming, data structures, and the like.

The processor304performs logical operations to allow communication sessions with the external device102to occur. These logical operations may involve responding to a query by the external device102for the MRI related information. The processor304may also perform other operations requested by the external device102, such as to do impedance testing to check for impedances that are outside of a range acceptable for MRI safety, such as where short circuits or open circuits of the individual filar/electrode combinations are present. The processor304may be of various forms like those discussed above for the processor204of the external device102. The processor304may communicate with the various other components through one or more data buses.

FIG. 5shows an example of a data structure400that may be maintained in the memory302of the IMD104. This data structure400includes the MRI related information that the external device102may request. Column402specifies that information that is stored in each entry of a column404. The name in column402may be a standard convention shared among the external device102and the IMD104such that if the external device102requests information by name, the IMD104can find and return the information. Alternatively, the IMD104and external device102may share a standard convention for the storage location of particular pieces of MRI related data such that the external device102may request information located at a particular memory location and the IMD104may then access that location and return the information stored there.

FIG. 5shows some of the types of MRI information that may be requested. This MRI related information may be placed into the memory302at the time of implant or at some subsequent time by a clinician using a device programmer. Entry of such information is discussed in further detail below with reference to the screenshots ofFIGS. 8A-8D. Other MRI related information may also be included in the memory302, such as whether abandoned leads or devices are present within the patient having the IMD104being queried.

FIG. 6A-6Dshows one example of logical operations that may be performed by the external device102when attempting to verify whether an implantable medical system is safe for a given MRI scan. The logical operations begin by displaying a menu with an MRI verification option at a display operation502.FIG. 7Aprovides one example of a display602that the external device102may provide. An MRI safe verification logo604may be included to indicate that the verification is an option. An activation control606may be presented to allow a user to select the control606and initiate the verification process.

The selection of the control606is received at a selection operation504. The external device102then begins the verification process. At a first verification operation506, the external device102verifies that the IMD104is an MRI safe type. This verification may occur by querying the IMD104for the device type if available, for a device ID such as a model and/or serial number if available, and/or for MRI allowable settings that may reveal the device type. The external device102determines from this information whether the IMD104is a type that is MRI safe at a query operation508. Here, the external device102may compare the information received from the IMD104to a table relating such information to an indicator of whether the IMD104is a type that is MRI safe.

If the external device102finds that the IMD104is not a type that is MRI safe, then the external device102generates a display at a display operation510. An example of this display is shown as the display614ofFIG. 7C. The display614indicates to the user that the implantable medical system is not safe and that the MRI scan should not be conducted. A logo616provides the indication that the implantable medical system is not MRI safe. The display614may provide additional information as well, such as an error code618that is related to the reason that the implantable medical system is not MRI safe. An identifier620of the IMD104may also be displayed along with the date and time. This information may be stored to logs so that a clinician can later review this information and determine if a corrective action is possible.

If the external device102finds at the query operation508that the IMD104is an MRI safe type, then the external device102proceeds with the verification process. The external device102verifies whether the lead and extension, if any, are an MRI safe type at a second verification operation512. This verification may occur by querying the IMD104for the lead and extension type if available or for an ID such as a model and/or serial number if available.

In addition to or as an alternative to querying the IMD104for the lead/extension106information, the external device102may prompt the user to inspect the lead/extension106using X-ray or fluoroscopy at an inspection operation514. The user will look for a radiopaque (RO) marker attached to the lead/extension106where the RO marker may provide an indicator that the lead/extension106is MRI safe. The user may enter a yes or no into the external device102in response to the prompting to indicate whether the RO marker is present that identifies the lead/extension as being MRI safe.

The external device102determines from this information whether the lead/extension106is MRI safe at a query operation516. Here, the external device102may compare the information received from the IMD104to a table relating such information to an indicator of whether the lead/extension106is MRI safe. Additionally or alternatively, the external device102may conclude that the lead/extension106is or is not MRI safe based on the user entry regarding the presence of the RO marker.

If the external device102finds that the lead/extension106is not MRI safe through either or both techniques, then the external device102generates the display of the indication at the display operation510. The display may be that ofFIG. 7Cwhich is discussed above.

If the external device102finds at the query operation516that the lead/extension106is an MRI safe type, then the external device102proceeds with the verification process. The external device102verifies whether the lead and extension, if any, have adequate electrical integrity at a third verification operation518. This verification may occur by the external device102requesting that the IMD104perform a set of simple and/or complex impedance tests on the lead/extension106and querying the IMD104for results of the impedance testing. The impedance testing detects whether there are circuits producing overly low impedance such as short circuits or circuits producing overly high impedance such as open circuits along the lead/extension106that should not be there.

At a query operation520, the external device520determines from the lead/extension impedance testing results whether the lead/extension106has adequate integrity for an MRI scan. If impedance measurements fall outside of acceptable ranges, for example because short circuits and/or open circuits are present where they should not be, then the display operation510provides the display614that the implantable medical system is not MRI safe.

If the lead/extension integrity is adequate, then the verification process proceeds. The next operation may be for the external device102to instruct the IMD104to enter an MRI safe state in preparation for the MRI scan at an instruction operation522. The MRI safe state may be to turn off stimulation, to reconfigure circuitry, and so forth.

The external device102may then perform a fourth verification operation524where the external device102queries the IMD104for its current state to ensure that the MRI safe state has been achieved. Query operation526detects whether a response form the IMD104indicates that the MRI safe mode is active. If not, then the indication that the implantable medical system is not MRI safe is provided at the display operation510. The fourth verification operation524may perform additional checks of the IMD state that may also be pertinent to MRI safety including checking that the IMD104is operating normally and/or that a power source of the IMD104is at an acceptable level.

Where the MRI safe mode is achieved at the IMD104, then the verification process continues. A fifth verification operation528verifies whether the lead/extension route and tip placement within the patient is MRI safe. This verification may occur by querying the IMD104for the lead and extension route and tip placement if available. The tip placement may be inferred from the routing but if the tip placement is available, then it may be reviewed to determine that the tip placement is MRI safe.

In addition to or as an alternative to querying the IMD104for the lead/extension route and tip placement, the external device102may prompt the user to inspect the lead/extension106route using X-ray or fluoroscopy at a confirmation operation530. The user may have observed this lead/extension routing when attempting to find the RO marker previously discussed. The user may enter an indication into the external device102in response to the prompting to indicate routing.

The external device102determines from this information whether the lead/extension route and resulting tip placement is MRI safe at a query operation532. Here, the external device102may compare the information received from the IMD104to a table relating such information to an indicator of whether the lead/extension route and resulting tip placement is MRI safe.

If the external device102finds that the lead/extension route and resulting tip placement is not MRI safe through either or both techniques, then the external device102generates the display of the indication at the display operation510. The display may be that ofFIG. 7Cwhich is discussed above.

If the external device102finds at the query operation532that the lead/extension route and resulting tip placement is MRI safe, then the verification process continues. The external device102performs a sixth verification operation534to verify that the placement of the IMD104is MRI safe. This verification may occur by querying the IMD104for the placement if available.

In addition to or as an alternative to querying the IMD104for the placement, the external device102may prompt the user to inspect the placement using X-ray or fluoroscopy at a confirmation operation536. The user may have observed this placement when attempting to find the RO marker previously discussed. The user may enter an indication into the external device102in response to the prompting to indicate the placement.

The external device102determines from this information whether the IMD placement is MRI safe at a query operation538. Here, the external device102may compare the information received from the IMD104to a table relating such information to an indicator of whether the IMD placement is MRI safe.

If the external device102finds that the IMD placement is not MRI safe through either or both techniques, then the external device102generates the display of the indication at the display operation510. The display may be that ofFIG. 7Cwhich is discussed above.

If the external device102finds at the query operation538that the device placement is MRI safe, then the verification process continues. The external device102performs a seventh verification operation540to verify that MRIs settings of the MRI machine114are safe for the implantable medical system. One manner of verifying these MRI settings is to prompt the user to review a display of the allowable settings for the current implantable medical system at a settings operation542. These settings may be stored in the external device102in advance or may be stored in the IMD104and requested by the external device102during the settings operation542. The user may be prompted to confirm that the allowable settings have been configured on the MRI machine114.

Additionally or alternatively, the external device102may include MRI related sensors214. The external device102may prompt the user to place the external device102into the MRI machine114and activate the MRI scan using MRI settings intended for the MRI scan of the patient. The external device102then directly measures the MRI values for static and gradient fields and for RF power at a measurement operation544.

The external device102determines from this measured information whether the MRI settings are safe at a query operation546. Here, the external device102may rely on the input by the user and/or may compare the measured values to a table of the allowable settings.

If the external device102finds that the MRI settings are not within the allowable range to be safe for the implantable medical system of interest, then the external device102generates the display of the indication at the display operation510. The display may be that ofFIG. 7Cwhich is discussed above. If the external device102finds at the query operation546that the MRI settings are within the allowable range to be safe for the implantable medical system of interest, then the verification process concludes by displaying an indicator that the implantable medical system is MRI safe for this MRI scan at a display operation548.

An example of this display for an MRI safe implantable medical system is shown as the display608ofFIG. 7B. The display608indicates to the user that the implantable medical system is safe and that the MRI scan can be conducted. A logo610provides the indication that the implantable medical system is MRI safe. The display608may provide additional information as well such as an identifier612of the IMD104along with the date and time. Furthermore, the display may provide other information such as a number that indicates the level of MRI scan that the implantable medical system is deemed safe to undergo.

This information including the date, time, activation of the MRI safe state, level of MRI scan that is safe, and the verification results may be stored to logs in the external device102and/or within the IMD104so that a clinician can later review this information should there be a need to do so. For instance, reviewing logs that indicate that the MRI safe state was activated, or even that an MRI scan occurred, may allow a clinician to better interpret device diagnostics.

The logical operations ofFIGS. 6A-6Dare shown as one example. Other examples are possible. In particular, a different number of verifications could be performed. Furthermore, the verifications could be performed in a different sequence. However, the sequence shown inFIGS. 6A-6Dis considered an efficient manner of verifying the MRI safety because the majority of the user interaction is later in the sequence so that if an early verification fails, the user interaction may not be needed in order to draw the conclusion that the implantable medical system is not MRI safe.

FIGS. 8A-8Fshow various illustrative screenshots of an external device, such as the external device102or an entirely different external device such as a clinician programmer that is present at the time of implantation and not present at the subsequent MRI scan.FIG. 8Ashows a screenshot702that provides a user with the ability to specify the placement of the IMD104. The IMD104has a model and serial number shown in area704that has been obtained by the external device. A drop down menu706allows the user to select the particular location where the IMD104is placed. This information may be written to the memory302of the IMD104so that it can be obtained by the external device102from the IMD104during the MRI safe verification process.

In some embodiments, the external device providing the screenshot702may have a built-in table to conclude whether a given IMD104placement is MRI safe. In other embodiments, the screenshot702may provide a checkbox708to allow the user to select whether the placement is MRI safe. In other embodiments, the external device providing the screenshot702may not be the external device102present at the MRI scan and may rely on the external device102present at the MRI scan to decide whether the placement is MRI safe.

FIG. 8Bshows a screenshot710that provides a user with the ability to specify the lead tip location. A drop down menu712allows the user to select the particular location where the tip of each lead108is placed. This information may be written to the memory302of the IMD104so that it can be obtained by the external device102from the IMD104during the MRI safe verification process.

In some embodiments, the external device providing the screenshot710may have a built-in table to conclude whether a given lead tip placement is MRI safe. In other embodiments, the screenshot710may provide a checkbox714for each tip to allow the user to select whether the placement of each is MRI safe. In other embodiments, the external device providing the screenshot710may not be the external device102at the MRI scan and may rely on the external device102at the MRI scan to decide whether the lead tip placements are MRI safe.

FIG. 8Cshows a screenshot716that provides a user with the ability to specify the lead model, number of extensions, and extension model. A data field718for each lead106allows the user to select the particular model of each. A data field722for each extension allows the user to select the particular model of each. A set of bubble entries724may allow the user to select the number of extensions that are in use. This information may be written to the memory302of the IMD104so that it can be obtained by the external device102from the IMD104during the MRI safe verification process.

In some embodiments, the external device providing the screenshot716may have a built-in table to conclude whether a given lead model, extension model, and number of extensions is MRI safe. In other embodiments, the screenshot716may provide checkboxes720,726for each lead and extension to allow the user to select whether the each lead106and extension is MRI safe. In other embodiments, the external device providing the screenshot716may not be the external device102at the MRI scan and may rely on the external device102at the MRI scan to decide whether the lead model, extension model, and number of extensions are MRI safe.

FIG. 8Dshows a screenshot728that provides a user with the ability to specify patient and doctor information but to also specify whether the patient has abandoned leads or devices within the body of the patient via a pair of yes/no bubble entries730. If abandoned leads or devices are present, then the external device102may conclude from that alone that it is not safe to conduct an MRI scan, or the external device102may prompt the user to attempt to establish communications with an abandoned device to conduct a verification process for the abandoned device as well, and use the combination of the results to determine if conducting the MRI scan is safe.

FIG. 8Eshows a screenshot732that provides a user with the ability to select reports to create and print or otherwise output based on information gathered by the external device through communication sessions with the IMD104and through user interaction. A series of checkboxes are provided to allow the reports to be selected for creation and output. In particular, a pair of checkboxes734allow for MRI related data to be included in the report, such as the data specified inFIGS. 8A-8Dand also the data for the successful or failed attempts to verify fromFIGS. 7B and 7C.

FIG. 8Fshows a screenshot736that indicates that the implantable medical system of interest is not MRI safe. A logo738indicates the lack of MRI safety. An error code of area740provides an indication of why the verification of MRI safety has failed. An area742provides a collection of checkboxes that provide a particular reason that is related to the error code. In this example, the checkbox744is unchecked, indicating that an abandoned lead is present. As shown inFIG. 8D, the user has specified that an abandoned lead is present and thus the lack of MRI safety is driven by that user input in this example.

A similar display could be provided to show that the implantable medical system is MRI safe. In such an example, the MRI safe logo is displayed and all checkboxes of area742are checked.

While embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.