Method and apparatus for indication-based programming of cardiac rhythm management devices

An external system for programming an implantable medical device for a patient, the system comprising:

• an indication-based programming device configured to receive patient-specific information and device-specific information and automatically produce values of a set of operational parameters of a plurality of programmable parameters using the patient-specific information and the device-specific information, the patient-specific information including the patient's electronic medical records including a symptom or circumstance that indicates advisability of one or more medical treatments deliverable by the implantable medical device, the device-specific information including a device type of the implantable medical device, the device type associated with the plurality of programmable parameters;
• a telemetry circuit configured to communicate with the implantable medical device;
• and
• a device identification module configured to identify the device type using information received from the implantable medical device via telemetry.

A method for programming an implantable medical device for a patient, the method comprising:

• receiving device-specific information indicative of a device type of the implantable medical device from the implantable medical device via a telemetry link;
• collecting patient-specific information including the patient's electronic medical records, the patient-specific information including a symptom or circumstance that indicates advisability of one or more medical treatments deliverable by the implantable medical device;
• automatically producing values of a set of operational parameters by using the patient-specific information and the device type;
• and
• programming the implantable medical device using the values of the set of operational parameters via the telemetry link.

A method for programming an implantable medical device using an external device, the method comprising:

• receiving device-specific information indicative of a device type of the implantable medical device from the implantable medical device coupled to the external device via a telemetry link;
• collecting patient-specific information from one or more storage devices coupled to the external device via a telecommunication network, the patient-specific information including indications for use of the implantable medical device, the indications each including a symptom or circumstance that indicates advisability of one or more medical treatments deliverable by the implantable medical device;
• automatically producing values of a set of operational parameters by using the patient-specific information and the device type;
• and
• programming the implantable medical device using the values of the set of operational parameters via the telemetry link.