Integrated software system for implantable medical device installation and management

• US 20010037220A1
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Merry, Randy L., Linberg, Kurt R., Hodges, Andrew C.
• Application Number:
  US09/740,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037220A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7217 of noise originating from a therapeutic or surgical apparatus, e.g. from a pacemaker
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/228 of application context
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A data communication system is provided which permits of communication between a deployed implantable medical device (IMD) and a computing resource capable of storing and distributing patient and device data. A deployed IMD may be polled by a programmer device external to the host patient, and data may be transmitted to the programmer by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a central computer for storage and distribution. The data may be distributed to business system computers affiliated or connected to the central computer, for example. The data may also be distributed to third parties for invoicing inventory, and supply consideration.

Claims

1. A computerized method of automatically obtaining and distributing data from one or more IMDs deployed in one or more patients, comprising the steps of:

transmitting via a network communication link IMD installation and management data pertaining to at least one of the IMDs to a programmer communicating with a central computer system external to any patient;

routing the IMD data to the central computer system; and

routing the IMD data to one or more peripheral computer systems.

2. The computerized method of

claim 1

, wherein the IMD-accessible data comprises physiologic data from the patient.

3. The computerized method of

claim 1

, wherein the IMD-accessible data comprises device information.

4. The computerized method of

claim 3

, wherein the device information comprises at least one of device model number, serial number, hardware, firmware, or software identification patient name, patient contact information, clinician name, and clinician entity.

5. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the network communication link comprises a radio frequency link.

6. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the network communication link comprises a hybrid link.

7. The method of

claim 6

wherein the hybrid link comprises a radio frequency link from an IMD to a network interface, and a secondary network link from the network interface to the computer.

8. The computerized method of

claim 1

, wherein the one or more peripheral computer comprise at least one of a supplier computer, a business system computer, an accounts payable computer, an accounts receivable computer, a clinician computer, or a third party payor computer.

9. The computerized method of

claim 1

further comprising the step of generating from at least one peripheral computer at least one invoice pertaining to a least one IMD, the invoice being derived at least in part from IMD data.

10. The method of

claim 7

wherein the secondary network link is a direct dial up connection.

11. The method of

claim 7

wherein the secondary network link is an area network.

12. The method of

claim 7

, wherein the secondary network communication link comprises an asynchronous link.

13. The method of

claim 7

, wherein the secondary network communications link comprises a synchronous link.

14. The method of

claim 11

wherein the area network is a LAN.

15. The method of

claim 11

wherein the area network is a WAN.

16. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the one or more IMDs comprises one or more of a pacemaker, a PCD pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, an oxygen sensing device, a nerve stimulator, a muscle stimulator, a drug pump, or an implantable monitoring device.

17. The computerized method of

claim 1

, further comprising the step of storing the data in storage means accessible to the central computer system.

18. A computerized information network system linking one or more IMD programmers to a centralized computer system via a data communication network, said network comprising:

a first computer accessible by the network, said central computer capable of storing data regarding an IMD;

at least one network interface to at least one programmer, said network interface being capable of communication with the network;

at least one additional peripheral computer in data communication with the first computer.

19. The computerized network of

claim 18

, wherein the network comprises a direct link between the at least one network interface and the computer.

20. The computerized network of

claim 18

, wherein the first computer comprises a supercomputer.

21. The computerized network of

claim 18

, wherein the first computer comprises a multi-processor workstation.

22. The computerized network of

claim 18

, wherein the first computer comprises a networked or parallel cluster of computers.

23. The computerized network of

claim 18

, wherein the data communication is asynchronous.

24. The computerized network of

claim 18

, where the data communication is synchronous.

25. The computerized network of

claim 18

, where the central computer is adapted to generate and transmit electronically an invoice pertaining to an IMD programmer event.

26. The computerized network of

claim 18

, where at least one additional peripheral computer may generate an invoice.