Method and apparatus for establishing context among events and optimizing implanted medical device performance

• US 20030171791A1
• Filed: 03/06/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Lovett, Eric G., Sweeney, Robert J., KenKnight, Bruce H., Manicka, Yatheendhar, Mazar, Scott T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,043,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for adjusting the performance of an implanted device based on data including contextual information. Contextual information, including operational and performance data concerning the implanted device as well as the patient with the implanted device, is stored by a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device is adapted for battery operation and includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The portable electronic device is adapted for use as an interface to conduct wireless communications with the implanted device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device interfaces with a clinical programmer for use by a physician.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an implantable wireless transmitter coupled to an implantable medical device;

a portable wireless receiver in communication with the implantable wireless transmitter; and

a personal digital assistant (PDA) coupled to the portable wireless receiver.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a set of instructions stored on the PDA and adapted to cause the PDA to receive a manual response from a user, the manual response concerning health of the user.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a set of instructions stored on the PDA to cause the PDA to display a health question to a user.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a set of instructions stored on the PDA for causing the PDA to store data from the implantable medical device.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an external sensor in communication with the PDA.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the external sensor includes a physiological sensor.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the external sensor includes an environmental sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising an implantable wireless receiver coupled to the implantable medical device and further comprising a portable wireless transmitter in communication with the PDA.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a programmer in communication with the PDA.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a wireless coupling between the programmer and the PDA.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a wired coupling between the programmer and the PDA.

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising a set of instructions for execution by the PDA to communicate data from the PDA to the programmer.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the implantable medical device includes a cardiac pacing device.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the implantable medical device includes a heart failure therapy device.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the implantable medical device includes a cardiac resynchronization device.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the implantable medical device includes a heart failure therapy device (cardiac resynchronization).

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a set of instructions for execution by the PDA to cause the PDA to alert a user when predetermined data is received by the PDA.

18. A method comprising:

encoding a message for delivery to an implantable device; and

transferring the encoded message from a programmer to a personal digital assistant (PDA) for wireless delivery from the PDA to the implantable device.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein transferring the encoded message from the programmer to the PDA includes transferring using a digital network.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein transferring the encoded message from the programmer to the PDA includes transferring using an Internet.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein transferring the encoded message from the programmer to the PDA includes transferring using a wired connection between the programmer and the PDA.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein transferring the encoded message from the programmer to the PDA includes coupling a replaceable storage media to the PDA.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising establishing a communication channel between the PDA and the implantable device.

24. The method of claim 18 further comprising transferring memory contents from the implantable device to the PDA.

25. The method of claim 18 further comprising transferring memory contents from the implantable device to the programmer.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a personal digital assistant (PDA);

a receiver coupled to the PDA and in wireless communication with an implanted medical device; and

a set of instructions executable by the PDA and adapted to cause the PDA to store data received from the implanted medical device.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 further including an interface coupled to the PDA and enabling communication of data between the PDA and a programmer.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the interface includes a wireless coupling.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 further including an auxiliary input to receive data from one or more external appliances.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 further including a transmitter coupled to the PDA and wherein the set of instructions are adapted to cause the transmitter to wirelessly communicate a signal to the implanted medical device based on data stored in the PDA.

31. A system comprising:

a transceiver module adapted for coupling to a personal digital assistant (PDA) and adapted for wirelessly exchanging data between the PDA and an implantable medical device; and

a program adapted for execution by the PDA, wherein the program includes instructions for storing data received via the transceiver module and for exchanging data with a programmer.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the program includes instructions for receiving data via a non-invasive sensor.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the program includes instructions for causing the PDA to prompt a user for a manual input.

34. The system of claim 31 further comprising a non-invasive sensor adapted to couple with the PDA and adapted to provide data for storage using the PDA.

35. The system of claim 31 wherein the program includes instructions for transmitting a signal from the PDA to the implantable medical device.