Self-test system and method for external programming device

A communication system comprising:

• driver means for generating a first signal that is to be transmitted;
• transmitter means for presenting said first signal to antenna means as an output signal;
• control means for controlling said driver means;
• receiver means for receiving an input signal and for converting the same to a second signal;
• filter means for filtering said second signal and for producing a filtered second signal therefrom;
• demodulation means for demodulating said filtered second signal and for producing a demodulated signal therefrom;
• first switch means for selectively connecting one of a plurality of status signals, including said demodulated signal, to said control means;
• and
• self-test means for testing the operation of said system, said self-test means including:
• signal generating means within said control means for generating a test signal,
• first summing means for selectively adding said test signal to said first signal, whereby said output signal may selectively include said test signal,
• second summing means for selectively adding said test signal to said second signal, whereby said filtered second signal may selectively include said test signal, and
• second switch means for selectively connecting one of said output signal or said filtered second signal to said demodulation means, whereby one of said status signals connected to said control means may selectively include said test signal after said test signal has passed through said transmitter means and demodulator means or after said test signal has passed through said filter means and demodulation means;
• said control means including means for checking the selected one of said status signals returned thereto to verify that said test signal produced an anticipated effect on the performance of said communication system.

A system for testing an external programming device, said external programming device being adapted to communicate with an implantable device, said system including:

• test signal means for generating a test signal within said external programming device;
• injection means for injecting said test signal into prescribed circuit locations within said external programming device,
• monitoring means for monitoring prescribed signals, resulting from the injecting of said test signal, at prescribed circuit locations within said external programming device, and
• comparison means for comparing the value of various parameters associated with the monitored signals with expected parameter values.

A method of automatically testing an external programming device adapted for use with an implantable device, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) automatically performing a prescribed test at the time said external programming device is first powered on;
• (b) determining if the results of the test performed in step (a) are within a range of acceptable results;
• (c) automatically saving the results of the test performed in step (a) if the results of the test are not within the range of acceptable results as determined in step (b);
• (d) automatically repeating steps (a) through (c) for additional prescribed tests, if any, that are to be performed, with each additional test being initiated at the conclusion of the preceding test;
• and
• (e) automatically displaying the results of the tests saved in step (c) for all the prescribed tests that are performed;
• whereby a sequence of prescribed tests are automatically performed when the programming device is first powered on, with the results of any test not within an acceptable range of results being automatically displayed.

A method for testing an external programming device, said external programming device being adapted to communicate with an implantable device, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating a test signal within said external programming device;
• (b) injecting said test signal into prescribed circuit locations within said external programming device,
• (c) monitoring prescribed signals, resulting from the injecting of said test signal, at prescribed circuit locations within said external programming device, and
• (d) comparing the value of various parameters associated with the monitored signals with expected parameter values.

A method of testing an external programming device adapted for use with an implantable device, said external programming device including various circuits that, when functioning properly, establish a telemetry link with the implantable device over which commands may be sent to the implantable device and data may be received from the implantable device, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating a suitable test signal,
• injecting the test signal into appropriate locations within the circuits of the programming device so that the test signal is coupled to the input of a particular circuit to be tested,
• routing the resulting signal, obtained or derived from the output of the particular circuit to be tested, back to a central location, and
• comparing the resulting signal routed back to the central location against a standard signal that would be received at the central location if the particular circuit to be tested is functioning properly.