Patent ID: 8121689

Claim:
A system comprising an external device including: a communication unit configured to communicate information with an implantable medical device (IMD); a programming interface including a display; and a processor communicatively coupled to the communication circuit and the programming interface, wherein the processor includes: a parameter analyzer configured to apply a rule to a combination of operating parameter values of the IMD to determine operating parameter interaction; and wherein: the display includes a first warning that is displayed when the parameter analyzer determines that a combination of operating parameter values entered via the programming interface is not allowed; the display includes a second warning that is displayed when the parameter analyzer determines that a combination of operating parameters values entered via the programming interface is allowable but not recommended, the second warning including text identifying a specific risk reason why the combination of operating parameter values is allowable but not recommended, and wherein the combination of operating parameters values that is allowable but not recommended and the text content of the second warning are a function of whether the programming interface is local to or remote from the IMD; and the processor is configured to enable programming of the allowable but not recommended combination of operating parameter values associated with the second warning into the IMD only after a user overrides the second warning by affirmatively acknowledging having read the second warning, wherein the acknowledgement of the second warning is received from the user via the programming interface.