Patent ID: 7024249

Claim:
A system for selectively enabling/disabling at least a portion of the operation of an implantable device in response to an externally applied pulsed magnetic field, wherein said implantable device is configured for stimulating tissue within a patient's body and said implantable device is contained within a sealed elongated housing having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, said system comprising: a sensor within said implantable device sensitive to the presence of an externally applied magnetic field; a controller within said implantable device coupled to said sensor for monitoring the presence of said externally applied magnetic field and determining timing sequences for the application and removal of said externally provided magnetic field; and wherein said controller is configured to enable/disable at least a portion of the operation of said implantable device in response to the detection of an identifiable timing sequence of the application and removal of said externally provided magnetic; and a receiver within said implantable device for receiving at least one implantable device operation parameter transmitted externally of said implantable device, said receiver capable of receiving said at least one operation parameter independent of said sensor.