Automatic disablement of an exposure mode of an implantable medical device

Techniques may automatically disable an exposure mode that was enabled for operation in the presence of a disruptive energy field. For example, an implantable medical device (IMD) automatically disables the exposure operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since enabling the IMD exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) a disruptive energy field is detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected. When either of these conditions is not met, the IMD continues to operate in accordance with the exposure operating mode.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to implantable medical devices and, in particular, to operation of an implantable medical device in a disruptive energy field.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of implantable medical devices (IMDs) that deliver a therapy or monitor a physiologic condition of a patient have been clinically implanted or proposed for clinical implantation in patients. IMDs may deliver therapy or monitor conditions with respect to a variety of organs, nerves, muscles or tissues of the patients, such as the heart, brain, stomach, spinal cord, pelvic floor, or the like. In some cases, IMDs may deliver electrical stimulation therapy via one or more electrodes, which may be included as part of one or more elongated implantable medical leads.

For example, an implantable cardiac device, such as a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, provides therapeutic stimulation to the heart by delivering electrical therapy signals such as pulses or shocks for pacing, cardioversion, or defibrillation via electrodes of one or more implantable leads. As another example, a neurostimulator may deliver electrical therapy signals, such as pulses, to a spinal cord, brain, pelvic floor or the like, to alleviate pain or treat symptoms of any of a number of neurological or other diseases, such as epilepsy, gastroparesis, Alzheimer's, depression, obesity, incontinence and the like.

Exposure of the IMD to a disruptive energy field may result in improper operation of the IMD. The IMD may be exposed to the disruptive energy field for any of a number of reasons. For example, one or more medical procedures may need to be performed on the patient within which the IMD is implanted. For example, the patient may need to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, electrocautery, diathermy or other medical procedure that produces a magnetic field, electromagnetic field, electric field or other disruptive energy field.

The disruptive energy field may induce energy on one or more of the implantable leads coupled to the IMD. The IMD may inappropriately detect the induced energy on the leads as physiological signals. Alternatively, or additionally, the induced energy on the leads may result in the inability to correctly detect physiological signals. In either case, detection of the induced energy on the leads as physiological signals may result in the IMD delivering therapy when it is not desired or withholding therapy when it is desired. In other instances, the induced energy on the leads may result in stimulation or heating of the tissue and/or nerve site adjacent to the electrodes of the leads. Such heating may result in thermal damage to the tissue, thus compromising pacing and sensing thresholds at the site.

SUMMARY

In general, this disclosure relates to operation of an implantable medical device (IMD) in a disruptive energy field. In particular, this disclosure describes techniques for automatically disabling an exposure mode that was enabled for operation in the presence of a disruptive energy field. In one example, the IMD automatically disables the exposure operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since enabling the IMD exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) a disruptive energy field is detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected. In other words, the IMD may configure itself from the exposure operating mode to a normal operating mode that has increased functionality.

By requiring that both of these conditions are met before disabling the exposure operating mode, the IMD may automatically reconfigure itself back to the normal operating mode without manual programming by a user while preventing the exposure operating mode from being disabled before the patient has actually undergone the MRI scan or is currently undergoing the MRI scan. When either of conditions (i) or (ii) is not met, the IMD continues to operate in accordance with the exposure operating mode.

In one example, this disclosure is directed to a method comprising configuring an implantable medical device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode that is less susceptible to undesirable operation in a disruptive energy field than the first operating mode. The method also comprises setting a timing mechanism to track an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode and monitoring for presence of the disruptive energy field. Additionally, the method comprises automatically configuring the implantable medical device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field was detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected.

In another example, this disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device comprising means for configuring the implantable medical device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode that is less susceptible to undesirable operation in a disruptive energy field than the first operating mode, means for tracking an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode and means for monitoring for presence of the disruptive energy field. The configuring means of the device automatically configures the implantable medical device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field was detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected.

In a further example, this disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device comprising a processor that configures the implantable medical device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode that is less susceptible to undesirable operation in a disruptive energy field than the first operating mode, a timing mechanism to track an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode and a disruptive field detector to monitor for presence of the disruptive energy field. The processor automatically configures the implantable medical device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field was detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected.

In another example, this disclosure is directed to a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause an implantable medical device to configure the implantable medical device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode that is less susceptible to undesirable operation in a disruptive energy field than the first operating mode, set a timing mechanism to track an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, and monitor for presence of the disruptive energy field. The computer-readable medium also includes instructions that, when executed, cause the implantable medical device automatically configure the implantable medical device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the implantable medical device from the first operating mode to the second operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field was detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a conceptual diagram illustrating an environment10in which an implantable medical device (IMD)14is exposed to a disruptive energy field11. IMD14is implanted within patient12to provide therapy to or to monitor a physiological condition of patient12. Patient12ordinarily, but not necessarily, will be a human.

IMD14may be any of a variety of therapy devices. For example, IMD14may be a device that provides electrical stimulation therapy via one or more implantable leads that include one or more electrodes (not shown). In some instances, IMD14may be a device that provides electrical stimulation therapy in the form of cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of patient12via leads implanted within one or more atria and/or ventricles of the heart. The cardiac rhythm management therapy delivered by IMD14may include pacing, cardioversion, defibrillation and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In other instances, IMD14may be a device that provides electrical stimulation to a tissue site of patient12proximate a muscle, organ or nerve, such as a tissue proximate a vagus nerve, spinal cord, brain, stomach, pelvic floor or the like.

In addition to providing electrical stimulation therapy, IMD14may sense one or more physiological parameters of patient12. When one or more leads are implanted within the heart of patient12, for example, electrodes of the leads may sense electrical signals attendant to the depolarization and repolarizatoin of the heart to monitor a rhythm of the heart or detect particular heart conditions, e.g., tachycardia, bradycardia, fibrillation or the like. IMD14may sense a variety of other physiologic parameters or other parameters related to a condition of patient12, including, for example, neurologic parameters, intracardiac or intravascular pressure, activity, posture, pH of blood or other bodily fluids or the like.

In other instances, IMD14may be a device that delivers a drug or therapeutic agent to patient12via a catheter. IMD14may deliver, e.g., using a pump, the drug or therapeutic agent to a specific location of patient12. IMD14may deliver the drug or therapeutic agent at a constant or variable flow rate. Drug pumps, infusion pump or drug delivery devices may be used to treat symptoms of a number of different conditions. For example, IMD14may deliver morphine or ziconotide to reduce or eliminate pain, baclofen to reduce or eliminate spasticity, chemotherapy to treat cancer, or any other drug or therapeutic agent (including saline, vitamins, etc.) to treat any other condition and/or symptom of a condition.

Environment10includes an energy source that generates disruptive energy field11to which IMD14is exposed. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the energy source is a MRI scanner16. Although the techniques of this disclosure are described with respect to disruptive energy field11generated by MRI scanner16, the techniques may be used to control operation of IMD14within environments in which other types of disruptive energy fields are present. For example, IMD14may operate in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure in environments in with disruptive energy field11is generated by a CT scanner, X-ray machine, electrocautery device, diathermy device, ablation device, radiation therapy device, electrical therapy device, magnetic therapy device or any other environment with devices that radiate energy to produce magnetic, electromagnetic, electric fields or other disruptive energy fields.

MRI scanner16uses magnetic and radio frequency (RF) fields to produce images of body structures for diagnosing injuries and/or disorders. In particular, MRI scanner16generates a static magnetic field, gradient magnetic fields and/or RF fields. The static magnetic field is a non-varying magnetic field that is typically always present around MRI scanner16whether or not a MRI scan is in progress. Gradient magnetic fields are low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields that are typically only present while the MRI scan is in progress. RF fields are pulsed RF fields that are also typically only present while the MRI scan is in progress.

Some or all of the various types of fields produced by MRI scanner16may interfere with operation of IMD14. In other words, one or more of the various types of fields produced by MRI scanner16may make up disruptive energy field11. For example, the gradient magnetic and RF fields produced by MRI scanner16may induce energy on one or more of the implantable leads coupled to IMD14. In some instances, IMD14inappropriately detects the induced energy on the leads as physiological signals, which may in turn cause IMD14to deliver undesired therapy or withhold desired therapy. This inappropriate detection is sometimes referred to as oversensing. In other instances, the induced energy on the leads result in IMD14not detecting physiological signals that are actually present, which may again result in IMD14delivering undesired therapy or withholding desired therapy. The induced energy on the leads may also result in stimulation or heating of the tissue and/or nerve site adjacent to electrodes of leads extending from IMD14. Such heating may cause thermal damage to the tissue adjacent the electrodes, possibly compromising pacing and sensing thresholds at the site.

To reduce the undesirable effects of disruptive energy field11, IMD14is capable of operating in a mode that is less susceptible to undesirable operation during exposure to disruptive energy field11, referred to herein as the “exposure mode” or “exposure operating mode.” Prior to being exposed or upon being exposed to disruptive energy field11, IMD14is configured from a normal operating mode to the exposure operating mode. IMD14may be configured from the normal mode to the exposure mode automatically, e.g., in response to detection of disruptive energy field11, or manually programmed into the exposure mode via an external programming device18.

In the normal operating mode, IMD14operates in accordance with all desired functionality using settings programmed by a physician, clinician or other user. When operating in the normal operating mode, IMD14may perform functions in a manner that does not specifically account for the presence of strong disruptive energy fields. The normal mode may correspond with the operating mode that a physician or other user feels provides a most efficacious therapy for patient12. While operating in accordance with the normal operating mode, IMD14may sense physiological events, deliver a number of different therapies, and log collected data.

In the exposure mode, however, IMD14may perform functions in a manner that specifically accounts for the presence of strong disruptive energy fields. While operating in the exposure mode, IMD14may be configured to operate with different functionality than when operating in the normal operating mode. IMD14may, in some instances, be configured to operate with reduced functionality. In other words, when configured to operate in the exposure mode, IMD14may have only a subset of the functionality of the normal operating mode. For example, IMD14may not provide sensing, not deliver therapy, delivery only a subset of possible therapies, not log collected data or the like. In other instances, IMD14may be operating with approximately the same functionality or even increased functionality in the exposure mode. For example, IMD14may use a different sensor or algorithm to detect cardiac activity of the heart of patient12, such as pressure sensor measurements rather than electrical activity of the heart. In either case, it is desirable that IMD14be reconfigured from the exposure operating mode to the normal operating mode as soon as safely possible after exiting from environment10.

In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, IMD14may track an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring IMD14from the normal operating mode to the exposure operating mode and monitor for presence of disruptive energy field11. IMD14may switch from the exposure operating mode back to the normal operating mode (or to a different operating mode) when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring IMD14from the normal operating mode to the exposure operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field is detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected. When either of these conditions is not met, IMD14continues to operate in accordance with the exposure mode.

By requiring that both of these conditions are met before disabling the exposure operating mode, IMD14may automatically reconfigure itself back to the normal operating mode without manual programming by a user while preventing the exposure operating mode from being disabled before patient12has actually undergone the MRI scan or is currently undergoing the MRI scan. As an added safety mechanism, IMD14may wait until IMD14has been out of environment10for a particular amount of time before automatically reconfiguring to the normal mode. In this manner, IMD14may allow for the system and/or the patient's physiology (e.g., capture thresholds, sensing amplitudes, and lead impedances) to stabilize after exposure to environment10.

Although described with respect to a medical environment, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to operate IMD14within non-medical environments that include disruptive energy fields. Additionally, the techniques of this disclosure may also be used to operate IMD14within environments that produce disruptive energy fields that are intermittent in nature.

FIG. 2is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example therapy system20that may be used to provide therapy to patient12. Therapy system20includes an IMD22and leads24,26and28that extend from IMD22. IMD22may, for example, correspond to IMD14ofFIG. 1or another IMD. Therapy system20may also include a programming device18that is wirelessly coupled to IMD22.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, IMD22is an implantable cardiac device that provides electrical stimulation therapy to a heart30of patient12. The electrical stimulation therapy to heart30, sometimes referred to as cardiac rhythm management therapy, may include pacing, cardioversion, defibrillation and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In some examples, IMD22delivers pacing pulses, but not cardioversion or defibrillation shocks, while in other examples, IMD22delivers cardioversion or defibrillation shocks, but not pacing pulses. In addition, in further examples, IMD22delivers pacing pulses, cardioversion shocks, and defibrillation shocks. As such, IMD22may operate as an implantable pacemaker, cardioverter, and/or defibrillator.

IMD22may deliver the electrical stimulation therapy to heart30via electrodes (not shown inFIG. 2) coupled to leads that are implanted within or adjacent to one or more atria or ventricles of heart30. In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, leads24,26and28are coupled to IMD22and extend into heart30of patient12. In the example shown inFIG. 2, right ventricular (RV) lead24extends through one or more veins (not shown), the superior vena cava (not shown), and right atrium32, and into right ventricle34of heart30. Left ventricular (LV) coronary sinus lead26extends through one or more veins, the vena cava, right atrium32, and into the coronary sinus36to a region adjacent to the free wall of left ventricle38of heart30. Right atrial (RA) lead28extends through one or more veins and the vena cava, and into the right atrium32of heart30. In other examples, IMD22may deliver stimulation therapy to heart14by delivering stimulation to an extravascular tissue site in addition to or instead of delivering stimulation via electrodes of intravascular leads24,26and28.

In addition to delivering therapy to heart30, electrodes of leads24,26and28may sense electrical signals attendant to the depolarization and repolarization of heart30(e.g., cardiac signals). IMD14may analyze the sensed signals to monitor a rhythm of the heart or detect an arrhythmia of heart30, e.g., tachycardia, bradycardia, fibrillation or the like. In some instances, IMD22provides pacing pulses to heart30based on the cardiac signals sensed within heart30. IMD22may also provide defibrillation therapy and/or cardioversion therapy via electrodes located on at least one of the leads24,26and28. IMD22may detect arrhythmia of heart30based on the sensed cardiac signals and deliver defibrillation therapy to heart30in the form of electrical shocks. In some examples, IMD22may be programmed to deliver a progression of therapies, e.g., shocks with increasing energy levels, until the arrhythmia of heart30is stopped.

A user, such as a physician, technician, or other clinician, may interact with a programming device18to communicate with IMD22. For example, the user may interact with programming device18to retrieve physiological or diagnostic information from IMD22. For example, the user may use programming device18to retrieve information from IMD22regarding the rhythm of the heart of patient12, trends therein over time, or cardiac arrhythmia episodes. As another example, the user may use programming device18to retrieve information from IMD22regarding other sensed physiological parameters of patient12, such as electrical depolarization/repolarization signals from the heart (referred to as “electrogram” or EGM), intracardiac or intravascular pressure, activity, posture, respiration or thoracic impedance. As another example, the user may use programming device18to retrieve information from IMD22regarding the performance or integrity of IMD22or other components of therapy system20, such as leads or a power source of IMD22.

The user may also interact with programming device18to program IMD22, e.g., select values for operational parameters of IMD22. For electrical stimulation therapies, for example, the user may interact with programming device18to program a therapy progression, select an electrode or combination of electrodes of leads24,26and28to use for delivering electrical stimulation (pulses or shocks), select parameters for the electrical pulse or shock (e.g., pulse amplitude, pulse width, or pulse rate), select electrodes or sensors for use in detecting a physiological parameter of patient12, or the like. By programming these parameters, the physician or other user can attempt to generate an efficacious therapy for patient12that is delivered via the selected electrodes.

In some instances, a user interacts with programming device18to program IMD22into the exposure mode prior to patient12undergoing a medical procedure in which IMD22will be exposed to a disruptive energy field11, e.g., before undergoing a MRI scan. The user may also reprogram IMD22from the exposure mode to a normal mode after the MRI scan is finished. Often times, an individual performing the MRI scan is not familiar with programming implanted devices. As such, a technician familiar with programming implanted devices needs to be present before and after the medical procedure, the MRI scan in this case. This is often burdensome as the medical procedure may take several hours.

As such, IMD22may automatically reconfigure itself into the normal operating mode in accordance with the techniques described in this disclosure. In other words, IMD22may revert to the normal operating mode without the technician using programming device18to manually reprogram IMD22. For example, IMD22may track an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring IMD22into the exposure operating mode and monitor for presence of disruptive energy field11. IMD22reverts from the exposure operating mode back to the normal operating mode (or to a different operating mode) when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring IMD22into the exposure operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field was detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected. The techniques of this disclosure may be used regardless of whether IMD22was configured into the exposure mode manually via programming device18or automatically in response to detecting disruptive energy field11.

Programming device18may be a dedicated hardware device with dedicated software for programming of IMD22. Alternatively, programming device18may be an off-the-shelf computing device running an application that enables programming device18to program IMD22. In some examples, programming device18may be a handheld computing device or a computer workstation. Programming device18may, in some instances, include a programming head that may be placed proximate to the patient's body near the implant site of IMD22in order to improve the quality or security of communication between IMD22and programming device18. Programming device18may include a user interface that receives input from the user and/or displays data to the user.

Programming device18may communicate with IMD22via wireless communication using any techniques known in the art. Examples of communication techniques may include, for example, magnetic telemetry, low frequency telemetry or radiofrequency (RF) telemetry, but other techniques are also contemplated. In some instances, programming device18and IMD22may communicate in the 402-405 MHz frequency band in accordance with the Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) protocol.

FIG. 3is a conceptual diagram illustrating IMD22and leads24,26and28of therapy system20in greater detail. Leads24,26and28may be electrically coupled to a stimulation module, a sensing module, or other modules of IMD22via connector block48. In some examples, proximal ends of leads24,26and28may include electrical contacts that electrically couple to respective electrical contacts within connector block48. In addition, in some examples, leads24,26and28may be mechanically coupled to connector block48with the aid of set screws, connection pins or another suitable mechanical coupling mechanism.

Each of the leads24,26and28includes an elongated insulative lead body, which may carry a number of concentric coiled conductors separated from one another by tubular insulative sheaths. Other lead configurations are also contemplated, such as lead configurations that do not include coiled conductors, but instead a different type of conductor. In the illustrated example, bipolar electrodes50and52are located proximate to a distal end of lead24. In addition, bipolar electrodes54and56are located proximate to a distal end of lead26and bipolar electrodes58and60are located proximate to a distal end of lead28.

Electrodes50,54, and58may take the form of ring electrodes, and electrodes52,56, and60may take the form of extendable helix tip electrodes mounted retractably within insulative electrode heads62,64, and66, respectively. Each of the electrodes50,52,54,56,58, and60may be electrically coupled to a respective one of the conductors within the lead body of its associated lead24,26and28, and thereby coupled to respective ones of the electrical contacts on the proximal end of leads24,26and28. In other embodiments, electrodes50,52,54,56,58, and60may be other types of electrodes.

Electrodes50,52,54,56,58, and60may sense electrical signals attendant to the depolarization and repolarization of heart30. The electrical signals are conducted to IMD22via the one or more conductors of respective leads24,26and28. In some examples, IMD22also delivers pacing pulses via electrodes50,52,54,56,58, and60to cause depolarization of cardiac tissue of heart14. In some examples, as illustrated inFIG. 3, IMD22includes one or more housing electrodes, such as housing electrode68, which may be formed integrally with an outer surface of hermetically-sealed housing70of IMD22or otherwise coupled to housing70. In some examples, housing electrode68is defined by an uninsulated portion of an outward facing portion of housing70of IMD22. In some examples, housing electrode68comprises substantially all of housing70. Divisions between insulated and uninsulated portions of housing70may be employed to define two or more housing electrodes. Any of the electrodes50,52,54,56,58, and60may be used for unipolar sensing or pacing in combination with housing electrode68. As such, the configurations of electrodes used by IMD22for sensing and pacing may be unipolar or bipolar depending on the application. As described in further detail with reference toFIG. 4, housing70may enclose a stimulation module that includes one or more signal generators that generate cardiac pacing pulses, resynchronization pulses defibrillation shocks or cardioversion shocks, as well as a sensing module for monitoring the patient's heart rhythm.

Leads24,26and28also include elongated electrodes72,74, and76, respectively, which may, in some instances, take the form of a coil. IMD22may deliver defibrillation pulses to heart30via any combination of elongated electrodes72,74, and76, and housing electrode68. Electrodes68,72,74, and76may also be used to deliver cardioversion shocks to heart30. Electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74, and76may be fabricated from any suitable electrically conductive material, including, but not limited to, platinum, platinum alloy or other materials known to be usable in implantable defibrillation electrodes.

As described above, exposure of IMD22to disruptive energy field11(FIG. 1) may result in undesirable operation. For example, gradient magnetic and RF fields produced by MRI scanner16(FIG. 1) may induce energy on one or more of electrodes50,52,54,56,58,72,74, and76of respective ones of implantable leads24,26and28or on electrode68of housing70. In some instances, IMD22inappropriately detects the induced energy on electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74, and76as physiological signals, which may in turn cause IMD22to deliver undesired therapy or withhold desired therapy. In other instances, the induced energy on electrodes50,52,54,56,58,72,74, and76result in IMD22not detecting physiological signals that are actually present, which may again result in IMD22delivering undesired therapy or withholding desired therapy. In further instances, the induced energy on electrodes50,52,54,56,58,72,74, and76result in stimulation or heating of the tissue and/or nerve site adjacent to electrodes50,52,54,56,58,72,74, and76. Such heating may result in thermal damage to the tissue adjacent the electrodes, possibly compromising pacing and sensing thresholds at the site. Configuring IMD22into the exposure mode may reduce, and possibly eliminate, the undesirable operation of IMD22.

The configuration of therapy system20illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3are merely examples. In other examples, therapy system20may include more or fewer leads extending from IMD22. For example, IMD22may be coupled to two leads, e.g., one lead implanted within right atrium32and the other implanted within right ventricle34. In another example, IMD22may be coupled to a single lead that is implanted within either an atrium or ventricle of heart30. As a further example, the therapy system may include three transvenous leads located as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, and an additional lead located within or proximate to left atrium39. As such, IMD22may be used for single chamber or multi-chamber cardiac rhythm management therapy. In addition to more or fewer leads, each of leads24,26and28may include more or fewer electrodes. In instances in which IMD22is used only for pacing, for example, leads24,26and28may not included electrodes72,74and76.

In still other examples, a therapy system may include epicardial leads and/or patch electrodes instead of or in addition to the transvenous leads24,26and28illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. Further, IMD22need not be implanted within patient12. In examples in which IMD22is not implanted in patient12, IMD22may deliver defibrillation pulses and other therapies to heart30via percutaneous leads that extend through the skin of patient12to a variety of positions within or outside of heart30.

The techniques of this disclosure are described in the context of cardiac rhythm management therapy for purposes of illustration. The techniques of this disclosure, however, may be used to operate an IMD that provides other types of electrical stimulation therapy. For example, the IMD may be a device that provides electrical stimulation to a tissue site of patient12proximate a muscle, organ or nerve, such as a tissue proximate a vagus nerve, spinal cord, brain, stomach, pelvic floor or the like. Moreover, the techniques may be used to operate an IMD that provides other types of therapy, such as drug delivery or infusion therapies. As such, description of these techniques in the context of cardiac rhythm management therapy should not be limiting of the techniques as broadly described in this disclosure.

FIG. 4is a functional block diagram of an example configuration of components of IMD22. In the example illustrated byFIG. 4, IMD22includes a control processor80, sensing module82, stimulation module84, disruptive field detector86, telemetry module88, memory90, power source92and alarm module94. Memory90may include computer-readable instructions that, when executed by control processor80, cause IMD22and/or processor80to perform various functions attributed to IMD22and processor80in this disclosure. Memory90may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other digital media.

The various components of IMD22are coupled to power source92, which may include a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. A non-rechargeable battery may be capable of holding a charge for several years, while a rechargeable battery may be inductively charged from an external device, e.g., on a daily or weekly basis. Power source92also may include power supply circuitry for providing regulated voltage and/or current levels to power the components of IMD22.

Control processor80may include any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated circuitry, including analog circuitry, digital circuitry, or logic circuitry. In some examples, control processor80may include multiple components, such as any combination of one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or more ASICs, or one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to control processor80herein may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.

Control processor80controls stimulation module84to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to heart30via one or more of electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74and76(FIG. 3). Stimulation module84is electrically coupled to electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74and76, e.g., via conductors of the respective lead24,26and28, or, in the case of housing electrode68, via an electrical conductor disposed within housing70of IMD22. Control processor80controls stimulation module84to deliver electrical pacing pulses or cardioversion or defibrillation shocks with the amplitudes, pulse widths, frequencies, electrode combinations or electrode polarities specified by a selected therapy program. For example, stimulation module84may deliver defibrillation shocks to heart30via at least two electrodes68,72,74and76. As another example, electrical stimulation module84may deliver pacing pulses via ring electrodes50,54and58coupled to leads24,26and28, respectively, and/or helical tip electrodes52,56and60of leads24,26, and28, respectively. Stimulation module84may deliver one or more of these types of stimulation in the form of other signals besides pulses or shocks, such as sine waves, square waves, or other substantially continuous signals.

Stimulation module84may include a switch module (not shown) and control processor80may use the switch module to select, e.g., via a data/address bus, which of the available electrodes are used to deliver pacing, resynchronization, cardioversion, or defibrillation pulses. The switch module may include a switch array, switch matrix, multiplexer, or any other type of switching device suitable to selectively couple stimulation energy to selected electrodes.

Sensing module82is configured to monitor signals from one or more sensors. In one example, sensing module82is configured to monitor signals sensed by one or more of electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74and76. In this manner, electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74and76may operate as sense electrodes in addition to being used for delivering electrical stimulation therapy. In other instances, leads24,26and28include one or more electrodes dedicated for sensing. In further examples, sensing module82is coupled to one or more sensors that are not included on leads24,26and28, e.g., via a wired or wireless coupling. Such sensors may include pressure sensors, accelerometers, flow sensors, blood chemistry sensors, activity sensors or other type of physiological sensor. Signals monitored by sensing module82may be stored in memory90.

When sensing module82monitors signals sensed by one or more of electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74and76, electrode sensing configurations are defined by various combinations of the electrodes in order to monitor electrical activity of heart30. Control processor80may select the electrodes that function as sense electrodes, sometimes referred to as a sensing configuration or sensing vector, in order to monitor electrical activity of heart30. In one example, sensing module82may include a switch module (not shown) to select which of the available electrodes are used to sense the heart activity. Control processor80may select the electrodes that function as sense electrodes, or the sensing electrode configuration, via the switch module within sensing module82, e.g., by providing signals via a data/address bus.

Sensing module82may include multiple detection channels, each of which may comprise an amplifier. The detection channels may be configured to detect different cardiac events, such as P-waves, R-waves, T waves, atrial pacing events, ventricular pacing events and the like. In response to the signals from control processor80, the switch module within sensing module82may couple selected electrodes to each of the detection channels to acquire a desired EGM for detection of cardiac events, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

As described above, processor80may be configurable to operate IMD22in a number of different operating modes, such as the normal operating mode and the exposure operating mode. Although the techniques of this disclosure are described with respect to two modes, i.e., the normal and exposure mode, processor80may operate IMD22in accordance with and switch between more than two modes. In the normal operating mode, processor80operates IMD22in accordance with settings programmed by a physician, clinician or other user. The normal mode may correspond with the operating mode that a physician or other user feels provides a most efficacious therapy for patient12. The normal operating mode may vary from patient to patient depending on the condition of patient12for which IMD22is providing therapy.

The normal operating mode of IMD22may be any of a number of pacing modes, including DDD, VVI, DVI, VDD, AAI, DDI, DDDR, VVIR, DVIR, VDDR, AAIR, DDIR, VOO, AOO, DOO, ODO and other modes of single and dual chamber pacing. For example, the normal operating mode may be an atrial based pacing mode, such as AAI or ADI pacing mode, if IMD22is providing therapy to a patient experiencing bradycardia. As another example, the normal operating mode may be a dual chamber pacing mode, such as a DDD pacing mode, if IMD22is providing therapy to a patient with unreliable A-V conduction.

In the aforementioned pacing modes, the abbreviations of which conform to the NBG Pacemaker Code, the first letter in the pacing mode indicates the chamber or chambers paced and may take on the letter “D” indicating dual chamber (i.e., atrial and ventricle both paced), “V” indicating a ventricle is paced, “A” indicating an atrium is paced, or “O” indicating no chamber is paced. The second letter indicates the chamber or chambers sensed and may take on the letter “D” indicating dual chamber (i.e., atrial and ventricle both paced), “V” indicating a ventricle is paced, “A” indicating an atrium is paced, or “O” indicating no chamber is paced. The third letter indicates mode or modes of response to sensing and may take on the letter “T” indicating triggered pacing (i.e., pacing is provided in response to the sensing), “I” indicating inhibited pacing (i.e., pacing is stopped based in response to the sensing), “D” indicating dual response (i.e., triggered and inhibited) and “O” for no response. The fourth letter indicates programmable functions and may take on the letter “R” indicating rate modulated pacing, as well as other letters not explained here. Although not described here, a fifth letter may be provided in accordance with the NBG Pacemaker Code indicating anti-tachycardia functions.

If IMD22is configured to generate and deliver pacing pulses to heart30, control processor80may include a pacer timing and control module (not shown), which may be embodied as hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The pacer timing and control module may comprise a dedicated hardware circuit, such as an ASIC, separate from other components of control processor80, such as a microprocessor, or a software module executed by a component of control processor80, which may be a microprocessor or ASIC.

The pacer timing and control module may include programmable counters which control the basic time intervals associated with various single and dual chamber pacing modes. Intervals defined by the pacer timing and control module within control processor80may include, for example, atrial and ventricular pacing escape intervals, refractory periods during which sensed P-waves and R-waves are ineffective to restart timing of the escape intervals, and the pulse widths of the pacing pulses. As another example, the pace timing and control module may define a blanking period, and provide signals to sensing module82to blank one or more channels, e.g., amplifiers, for a period during and after delivery of electrical stimulation to heart30. The durations of these intervals may be determined by control processor80in response to stored program data in memory90. The pacer timing and control module of control processor80may also determine the amplitude of the cardiac pacing pulses.

During pacing, escape interval counters within the pacer timing and control module of control processor80may be reset upon sensing of R-waves and P-waves with detection channels of sensing module82. Exposure of IMD22to disruptive energy field11or other noisy environment may produce oversensing of R-wave events that cause the ventricular escape interval counter to reset. The oversensed R-waves produced by one or more of the detection channels produce short R-R intervals that may inhibit delivery of pacing pulses.

Stimulation module84may include pacer output circuits that are coupled, e.g., selectively by a switching module, to any combination of electrodes50,52,54,56,58,68,72,74and76appropriate for delivery of a bipolar or unipolar pacing pulse to one of the chambers of heart30. Control processor80may reset the escape interval counters upon the generation of pacing pulses by stimulation module84, and thereby control the basic timing of cardiac pacing functions, including anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing.

The value of the count present in the escape interval counters when reset by sensed R-waves and P-waves may be used by control processor80to detect cardiac events and measure the durations of R-R intervals, P-P intervals, P-R intervals and R-P intervals, which are measurements that may be stored in memory90. Control processor80may use the count in the interval counters to detect a tachyarrhythmia event, such as an atrial or ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. The R-R intervals indicated by the count, in particular, may be used to increment a VF counter to control delivery of cardioversion or defibrillation shocks. The VF counter may form part of a cardioversion/defibrillation control module (not shown) implemented by control processor80. Again, the VF counter may be incremented in response to detection of short R-R intervals, and possibly in response to other events such as R-R interval variance. The VF counter triggers delivery of a defibrillation shock when the counter reaches a number of intervals for detection (NID) threshold.

In the event that control processor80detects an atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia based on signals from sensing module82, and an anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing regimen is desired, timing intervals for controlling the generation of anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing therapies by stimulation module84may be loaded by control processor80into the pacer timing and control module to control the operation of the escape interval counters therein and to define refractory periods during which detection of R-waves and P-waves is ineffective to restart the escape interval counters.

Stimulation module84may also includes a high voltage charge circuit and a high voltage output circuit. In the event that generation of a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse is required, control processor80may employ the escape interval counter to control timing of such cardioversion and defibrillation pulses, as well as associated refractory periods. In response to the detection of atrial or ventricular fibrillation or tachyarrhythmia requiring a cardioversion pulse, control processor80may activate the cardioversion/defibrillation control module, which may, like the pacer timing and control module, be a hardware component of control processor80and/or a firmware or software module executed by one or more hardware components of control processor80. The cardioversion/defibrillation control module may initiate charging of the high voltage capacitors of the high voltage charge circuit of stimulation module84under control of a high voltage charging control line.

Control processor80may monitor the voltage on the high voltage capacitor, e.g., via a voltage charging and potential (VCAP) line. In response to the voltage on the high voltage capacitor reaching a predetermined value set by control processor80, control processor80may generate a logic signal that terminates charging. Thereafter, timing of the delivery of the defibrillation or cardioversion shock by stimulation module84is controlled by the cardioversion/defibrillation control module of control processor80. Following delivery of the fibrillation or tachycardia therapy, control processor80may return stimulation module84to a cardiac pacing function and await the next successive interrupt due to pacing or the occurrence of a sensed atrial depolarization (P-wave) or ventricular depolarization (R-wave).

When operating in the normal operating modes, processor80may initiate and/or adjust delivery of pacing pulses and/or defibrillation or cardioversion shocks based in part upon sensed physiological events. For instance, IMD22may withhold therapy in response to a sensed physiological event in pacing modes with inhibit (“I”) response to sensing, deliver therapy in response to the sensed event in modes with triggered (“T”) response to sensing or both in the case of dual inhibit and trigger (“D”) response to sensing. These normal operating modes may therefore be susceptible to undesirable operation when IMD22is placed within environment10with disruptive energy field11as described in more detail below.

Disruptive energy field11, which may, for example, comprise gradient magnetic fields and/or RF fields produced by MRI scanner16(FIG. 1), may induce energy on one or more electrodes of implantable leads24,26and28coupled to IMD22. In some instances, sensing module82inappropriately detects the induced energy on the leads as physiological signals, which may in turn cause undesirable operation of IMD22. In other words, IMD22senses a physiological signal when one is not actually present.

When operating in a normal mode with inhibit response to sensing, processor80may not deliver (i.e., withhold) a desired pacing pulse in response to sensing the induced energy from the disruptive energy field as a physiological signal. For example, processor80may identify the induced energy as an R-wave event, thus producing short R-R intervals that may inhibit delivery of pacing pulses. In other instances when operating in a normal mode with dual inhibit and trigger response to sensing, processor80may also deliver an undesirable pacing pulse in addition to withholding a desired pacing pulse in response to sensing the induced energy from disruptive energy field11as a physiological signal. In particular, sensing the induced energy from the disruptive energy field as a physiological signal may inappropriately start an escape interval after which an undesired pacing pulse is delivered. This may result in dangerously fast heart rhythms and may lead to tachyarrhythmia or fibrillation.

In other instances, the induced energy on the leads result in IMD22not sensing actual physiological signals that are present. Processor80may, for example, initiate a blanking period in response to the induced energy on the leads. During the blanking period, sensing module82may power down one or more sense amplifiers. As such, sensing module82will fail to detect any actual (true) physiological event that occurs during the blanking period. Failure to detect this actual physiological event may again result in IMD22delivering undesired therapy or withholding desired therapy.

In further instances, the induced energy on one or more of leads24,26and28may result in stimulation or heating of the tissue and/or nerve site adjacent to any of electrodes50,52,54,56,58,72,74and76of respective leads24,26and28. Such heating may result in thermal damage to the tissue adjacent the electrodes. For example, heating of tissue adjacent to atrial electrode60may result in damage to heart tissue in right atrium32. This may in turn possibly compromise pacing and sensing thresholds at the site. Alternatively, or additionally, the damage to the tissue adjacent to the electrodes may result in a blocked A-V conduction.

To reduce the effects of disruptive energy field11, processor80may be configured to operate IMD22in the exposure operating mode. The exposure operating mode is typically less susceptible to undesirable operation in disruptive energy field11than the normal operating mode. In other words, operating IMD22in the exposure mode may reduce if not eliminate the adverse effects that disruptive energy field11have on therapy delivery to patient12. When operating in the exposure operating mode, processor80provides therapy with limited functionality compared to the normal operating mode. In other words, IMD22may have only a subset of the functionality compared to when operating in the normal operating mode.

To reduce the susceptibility to undesirable operation of IMD22due to sensing the induced energy on the leads as a physiological signal, processor80may operate IMD22in an exposure operating mode. In the exposure operating mode, processor80may control IMD22in a manner in which the induced energy on the leads does not affect delivery of therapy. For example, the exposure mode may correspond with a pacing mode that does not provide sensing functionality. If patient12is pacing dependent, for example, the exposure mode of IMD22may correspond to an asynchronous pacing mode with no sensing, e.g., AOO, VOO or DOO. In another example, the exposure mode of IMD22may correspond to an asynchronous pacing mode that includes sensing, but has no mode of response to the pacing, e.g., such as a AAO, AVO, ADO, VVO, VAO, VDO, DDO, DAO or DVO pacing mode. In either of these cases, pacing is provided with no modification due to sensing. As such, the induced energy on the leads caused by disruptive energy field11does not result in undesirable operation of IMD22.

In a further example, the exposure mode of IMD22may correspond to a sensing only mode, such as OAO, OVO or ODO, in which no pacing is provided. Such modes may only be used in cases in which patient12is not pacing dependent. Because there is no pacing in these pacing modes, such pacing modes may prevent IMD22from delivering undesirable stimulation or withholding desirable stimulation. Thus, when operating in the exposure operating mode, IMD22may provide no stimulation or sensing, provide stimulation but no sensing or provide sensing but no stimulation.

The exposure mode may also suspend temporary operation of other functionality of IMD22, particularly those that may function incorrectly when exposed to disruptive energy field11. Some example functionality that may be suspended while operating in the exposure mode include tachycardia detection and therapy, fibrillation detection and therapy, impedance measurements, battery measurements, P- and R-wave measurements. Additional functionality that may be suspended while in the exposure mode includes collection of diagnostic data.

Processor80may be configured to operate IMD22in the exposure mode at some time prior to being exposed or immediately upon being exposed to disruptive energy field11. For example, a user, such as a physician, clinician or technician, may manually program processor80to operate IMD22in the exposure mode using programming device18. Under the control of processor80, telemetry module88may receive downlink telemetry from and send uplink telemetry to programming device18with the aid of an antenna, which may be internal and/or external to IMD22. Telemetry module88includes any suitable hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof for communicating with another device, such as programming device18. For example, telemetry module88may include appropriate modulation, demodulation, frequency conversion, filtering, and amplifier components for transmission and reception of data.

Alternatively, processor80may be configured to operate IMD22in the exposure mode automatically, e.g., in response to detection of disruptive energy field11. IMD22may include one or more sensors, such as a disruptive field detector86, that detect presence of disruptive energy field11. Disruptive field detector86may include a magnetic field detector, such as a Hall sensor or a reed switch. In some instances, disruptive field detector86may be within housing70of IMD22. For example, disruptive field detector86may be the same field detector used to sense a magnetic programming head of a programming device. Alternatively, IMD22may be coupled to a disruptive field detector86located outside of housing70of IMD22.

Control processor80may receive one or more signals from disruptive field detector86. The signal produced by disruptive field detector86may, for example, identify patient12has entered an environment in which IMD22is exposed to an energy field, e.g., a magnetic field, that is greater than or equal to a threshold level indicative of a disruptive energy field11. In one example, processor80may utilize all or a subset of the detection methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,937,906 to Terry et al., entitled, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS,” which issued on Aug. 30, 2005 and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, other disruptive field detection methodologies may also be employed by processor80in other examples to detect the presence of disruptive energy field11.

Regardless of whether processor80of IMD22was manually configured using programming device18or automatically configured in response to detecting a disruptive energy field, it is desirable that processor80be reconfigured from the exposure operating mode to the normal operating mode as soon as safely possible after exiting from environment10, e.g., due to the reduced or otherwise different functionality of the exposure mode. The techniques of this disclosure may be used to automatically revert processor80back to the normal operating mode when particular criteria that are indicative of the MRI being complete occur.

Processor80initiates a timing mechanism upon entering the exposure mode. Processor80uses the timing mechanism to track an amount of time that has elapsed since configuring processor80from the normal operating mode to the exposure operating mode. The timing mechanism may be a timer or other time-out mechanism that is capable of tracking an elapsed amount of time. The timer may be set to a predetermined time interval, such as an approximate length of the medical procedure and, in some instances, includes additional time for preexamination procedures and/or wait periods. In the case of a MRI scan, for example, the timer may be set to approximately one hour.

At the expiration of the timer, processor80determines whether IMD22has been exposed to disruptive energy field11. In the case in which processor80is automatically configured into the exposure operating mode, IMD22will have been exposed to disruptive energy field11as this exposure is what triggered processor80to configure into the exposure mode. In the case of manual configuration using programming device18, processor80may determine whether disruptive field detector86has detected exposure to disruptive energy field11. For example, processor80may include a flip-flop and flip a bit of the flip-flop to indicate that the disruptive energy field11was detected.

If disruptive field detector86has not detected exposure to disruptive energy field11, processor80may not revert back to operating IMD22in the normal operating mode. This is because the patient may not have had the MRI scan yet due to a longer than expected wait, technical problems or other issues that have delayed and/or cancelled the scheduled MRI scan. Reverting operation of IMD22back to the normal operating mode before the MRI scan may result in the undesirable operation described above. As such, processor80may require that disruptive field detector86detect the presence of disruptive energy field11prior to reverting back to the normal operating mode. Additionally, processor80requires that disruptive field detector86is not currently detecting the presence of disruptive energy field11, i.e., IMD22is not currently being exposed to disruptive energy field11, before reverting back to the normal operating mode. In this case, patient12may still be receiving the MRI scan.

Processor80may therefore continue to operate IMD22in the exposure mode when either no disruptive energy field is detected before the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring the IMD22into the exposure operating mode exceeds the threshold amount of time or the disruptive energy field is currently detected. In some instances, processor80may reset the timing mechanism if either of these conditions is met.

Processor80may automatically configure IMD22from the exposure operating mode back to the normal operating mode, i.e., disable the exposure mode, when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since configuring IMD22from the normal operating mode to the exposure operating mode exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) the disruptive energy field was detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected. By requiring that both of these conditions are met before disabling the exposure operating mode, IMD14may automatically reconfigure itself back to the normal operating mode without manual programming by a user while preventing the exposure operating mode from being disabled before patient12has actually undergone the MRI scan or is currently undergoing the MRI scan.

In some instances, processor80may wait for a particular amount of time after the disruptive energy field is last detected before returning to the normal operating mode. For example, processor80may track an amount of time since the disruptive energy field was last detected and continue to operate IMD22in accordance with the exposure operating mode even when conditions (i) and (ii) are met when the amount of time since the disruptive energy field was last detected is less than a second threshold amount of time, e.g., five to ten minutes. Processor80may automatically configure IMD22from the exposure operating mode to the normal operating mode when the amount of time since the disruptive energy field was last detected is greater than or equal to the second threshold amount of time. This may serve as an extra precautionary measure to ensure that patient12has actually exited environment10permanently and not just entered briefly and then temporarily left, e.g., to take a phone call, use the restroom or other reason. Moreover, the additional time allows for therapy system20and/or the patient's physiology (e.g., capture thresholds, sensing amplitudes, and lead impedances) to stabilize after exposure to environment10.

There may be times in which a patient's MRI scan may have been cancelled, rescheduled or otherwise delayed for an extended period of time. In such a case, disruptive field detector86will not detect the presence of disruptive energy field11. As such, processor80will not automatically reconfigure from the exposure mode to the normal operating mode. As described above, however, it is desirable to revert back to the normal operating mode as soon as safely possible. To this end, processor80may reconfigure from the exposure mode to the normal mode after an extended period of time even though no disruptive energy field is detected. For example, processor80may reconfigure from the exposure mode to the normal mode after the timer has been reset and expired X times, where X is an integer greater than or equal to one. In another example, processor80may maintain a second timing mechanism, e.g., an extended timer, that is set equal to a period of time at which processor80will revert back to the normal operating mode regardless of whether disruptive energy field has been detected.

Upon reverting back to the normal operating mode when no disruptive energy field is detected, processor80may control alarm module94to provide an alert to patient12and/or a physician, clinician or technician that the device has reverted back to the normal operating mode without detecting a disruptive energy field. Alarm module94may include alarm circuitry to provide an audible alert, a perceptible muscle vibration, muscle stimulation or other sensory stimulation to notify the patient that an alert condition has been detected, e.g., reversion to the normal operating mode without detection of the disruptive energy field. Additionally, or alternatively, processor80may cause telemetry module88to transmit an alert or other signal, e.g., to programming device18, to notify a physician, clinician or technician of the reversion to the normal operating mode. In this manner, the telemetry signal may function as the alert mechanism.

In another example, processor80may not automatically revert back to the normal operating mode without detecting the disruptive energy field. Instead, processor80may control alarm module94to provide an alert to indicate that the implantable medical device has been operating in the exposure mode for longer than a maximum desired period of time. In this case, the alert may prompt patient12to visit a physician, clinician or technician to have processor80reconfigured back to the normal operating mode.

While operating in the exposure operating mode, processor80may collect information that could be useful in future medical decisions and/or therapy programming. For example, processor80may track the duration of time IMD22was exposed to the disruptive energy field, the duration of time between enabling the exposure mode and exposure to the disruptive energy field, and the duration of time between exposure to disruptive energy field11and the disabling of the exposure mode (i.e., the reconfiguration to the normal operating mode). To do so, processor80may store a time and date stamp in memory92at times in which particular events occur.

For example, processor80may store a time and date stamp upon being configured into the exposure mode, upon disruptive field detector86detecting disruptive energy field11, upon disruptive field detector86detecting the absence of disruptive energy field11, upon processor80being reconfigured to the normal operating mode and the like. Processor80may, process these time and date stamps to compute the information and/or provide the time and date stamps to a programming device that may use them to compute the desired information. This information regarding the configuration and exposure may be used to improve clinical workflows, set threshold timer values, determine cumulative exposures and the like.

FIG. 5is a flow diagram illustrating example operation of IMD22in accordance with techniques of this disclosure. Initially, processor80enables the exposure operating mode at some time prior to being exposed or immediately upon being exposed to disruptive energy field11(100). Processor80may be programmed to enable the exposure mode manually, e.g., using programming device18, or automatically, e.g., in response to detection of disruptive energy field11. Processor80sets a timer and monitors for the presence of disruptive energy field11(101). Processor80uses the timer to track an amount of time that has elapsed since enabling the exposure mode, i.e., configuring processor80from the normal operating mode to the exposure operating mode. The timer may be set to a predetermined time interval, such as an approximate length of the medical procedure and, in some instances, includes additional time for preexamination procedures and/or wait periods.

As described above, it is desirable that processor80be reconfigured from the exposure operating mode to the normal operating mode as soon as safely possible after exiting from environment10. Processor80determines whether a disable command has been received from programming device18(102). When a disable command is received (“YES” branch of102), processor80disables the exposure mode and returns operation of IMD22to the normal operating mode (103). In this case, processor80of IMD22is manually reconfigured back to the normal operating mode.

When no disable command is received (“NO” branch of102), processor80determines whether the timer has expired (104). When the timer has not expired (“NO” branch of104), processor80again determines whether a disable command to manually disable the exposure mode has been received. When the timer has expired (“YES” branch of104), processor80determines whether disruptive energy field11has been detected (106). When processor80determines that disruptive energy field11has been detected, processor80may optionally determine whether disruptive energy field11has been detected within the last X minutes (108). When disruptive energy field11has not been detected within the last X minutes, processor80disables the exposure mode (103). In some instances, processor80may control alarm module94to provide an alert to patient12notifying patient12that IMD22has reverted back to the normal operating mode. When disruptive energy field11has been detected within the last X minutes, processor80continues to wait until the disruptive energy field11has not been detected for the last X minutes. X may take on any integer or non-integer value greater than or equal to zero. Block108is an optional step in the process described inFIG. 5, in which case X may be equal to zero.

If no disruptive energy field has been detected (“NO” branch of106), processor80may determine whether an extended timing mechanism has expired (110). The extended timing mechanism, which may be separate from the timer, is set equal to a period of time at which processor80will revert back to the normal operating mode regardless of whether disruptive energy field has been detected. In some instances, processor80may reset the timer a particular number of times instead of maintaining a separate timing mechanism. When the extended timing mechanism has not expired (“NO” branch of110), processor80continues to monitor for detection of the disruptive energy field.

When the extended timing mechanism has not expired (“YES” branch of110), processor80may control alarm module94to provide an alert to patient12notifying patient12that IMD22has reverted back to the normal operating mode without detecting a disruptive energy field (112). Processor80may then disable the exposure mode (103). In another example, processor80may not automatically revert back to the normal operating mode without detecting the disruptive energy field. Instead, processor80may control alarm module94to provide an alert to indicate that the implantable medical device has been operating in the exposure mode for longer than a maximum desired period of time. In this case, the alert may prompt patient12to visit a physician, clinician or technician to have processor80reconfigured back to the normal operating mode.

While the preceding description has been described primarily with reference to a therapy system including an IMD that delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy, e.g., IMD22, the techniques described herein may be applicable to other therapy systems. For example, the techniques described herein may be applicable to systems including an IMD that delivers electrical stimulation therapy to other muscles, nerves or organs of patient12. As another example, the techniques described herein may be applicable to systems including an implantable drug delivery or infusion device or an IMD including a drug delivery or infusion module. Other combinations of implantable devices will be obvious to one of skill in the art, and fall within the scope of this disclosure.

When implemented in software, the functionality ascribed to the systems, devices and techniques described in this disclosure may be embodied as instructions on a computer-readable medium such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, magnetic data storage media, optical data storage media, or the like. The instructions may be executed to support one or more aspects of the functionality described in this disclosure.