Patient Controller NR - US 17+

Unfortunately, I've been using this app for many years as both St Jude and Abbott. One would think the developers would ensure the app remains up to date with all current iOS devices due to the importance of the app's functionality with the Patients Stimulator. However, this is not the case with St Jude; now Abbott. Considering how much they're selling the Stimulators and iPods for, a compatible app isn't too much to ask but yet, we still pay $1,200 for a replacement iPods due to Abbott's failure to maintain the app. Honestly, there are a few other companies who provide Stimulators which I encourage you to explore with your Surgeon. I would have given only one Star but Abbott's tech support staff has been helpful. Abbott, it's time to invest in your company by ensuring the apps which control our Stimulators are up to date with the most current iOS and the associated devices. As of now, you are failing your Patients and the Doctors who place their trust and reputation in your hands. It's time for change.

Three issues I have with this programming. The first is that I can’t make notes on each individual program, or make custom names myself so that I can remember if I like a certain program or not. The second, is I can’t see which contacts are active or not. I must wait until I meet with a representative or my physician to know if there’s an impedance issue, which there has been, and it’s been an issue in getting appropriate care. Third, what’s the point of there being an image of a body if I can’t see where the stimulator is supposedly activating? I should be able to customize where I feel the stimulator or where I feel relief from the stimulator. For example, when my stimulator is on tonic, I should be able to customize on the image of the body where I feel the stimulator sensation. Finally, I wish that there was an option for a timer so that I could put the program in tonic and have it automatically switch back to another program rather than just turning off. I’ve had too many instances where I’ve put it in tonic for a period of time, fell asleep and ultimately had the stimulator be off for several hours. In 2022, I feel it’s a realistic expectation of a program to be able to do this. ultimately though. I would like the ability to make notes on the given program so that I can remember which is which, and why I like a certain program. I don’t think this is too much to ask.

I am so thankful that I don’t have to carry my iPod with me all the time. I can do everything with the iPhone app that I could do with the provided iPod! The phone’s Bluetooth connects to the implant just as quickly, if not quicker.

The only thing I would change is to give an actual percentage left on the implanted battery. It would be nice to have the information to know if I should contact my surgeon to schedule replacement when that time comes. This is true particularly when medical appointments are not quick or easy to get due to the current pandemic.

If that were available, I would give this app the full 5 stars. However not having access to see the actual remaining battery level (which was included on the app when I got my implant) on my non-rechargeable makes me worry that I will not have adequate warning leaving me without the only consistent source of relief over the past 3+ years.