Ambulatory medical apparatus with hand held communication device

• US 20060173444A1
• Filed: 02/03/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Choy, David Y., Shahmirian, Varaz
• Application Number:
  US11/347,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20060173444A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/891.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• 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 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6847 mounted on an invasive device
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/168 Means for controlling media flow to the body or for metering media to the body, e.g. drip meters, counters ; Monitoring media flow to the body flow control in general G05D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16831 Monitoring, detecting, signalling or eliminating infusion flow anomalies low-level float-valves causing cut-off A61M5/40; indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of flow in general G01P13/0066
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 : User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37254 : Pacemaker or defibrillator security, e.g. to prevent or inhibit programming alterations by hackers or unauthorised individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 : Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 : Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3727 : characterised by the modulation technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 : characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 : Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0619 : in relation to data integrity, e.g. data losses, bit errors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/065 : Replication mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 : Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 : Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 : Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 : delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 : for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 : Infusion monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A communication device (CD) exchanges messages with an implantable infusion pump via telemetry such that commands are supplied thereto and operational information is obtained therefrom. The CD is controlled, at least in part, by a processor IC according to a software program operating therein and provides feedback to a user via a visual display, an audio alarm, and a vibrational alarm, and allows input from the user via a touch sensitive keypad. Certain input functions are restricted by password. The visual display includes an icon and fixed element display region and a bitmap display region. The fixed element display region includes time and date displays, battery and drug level displays that decrement, and a moving delivery state display. Various screens allow operational or log information to be displayed and/or user entry of commands. Program features when disabled are removed from a series of screen options that can be scrolled through.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

activating wireless telemetry circuitry in an external communication device to communicate with an implantable medical device; and

disabling a backlight of a display in the external communication device during activation of the telemetry circuitry to reduce electrical interference.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising disabling the backlight in response to a telemetry quiet mode signal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the backlight when the telemetry is not activated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the external communication device includes an internal antenna, and the telemetry circuitry receives signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the external communication device includes an internal antenna, and the telemetry circuitry transmits signals to the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable electrical stimulator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable pump.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the backlight includes an electroluminescent backlight.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the external communication device is capable of being hand-held and is battery-powered.

11. An external communication device for an implantable medical device, the external communication device comprising:

a device housing;

an antenna coupled to the housing;

wireless telemetry circuitry, within the housing, that communicates with the implantable medical device via the antenna;

a display, within the housing, that presents information;

a backlight that illuminates the display; and

control circuitry that disables the backlight during activation of the telemetry circuitry to reduce electrical interference.

12. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry disables the backlight in response to a telemetry quiet mode signal.

13. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry enables the backlight when the telemetry is not activated.

14. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the antenna is internally mounted within the housing, and the telemetry circuitry receives signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.

15. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the antenna is internally mounted within the housing, and the telemetry circuitry transmits signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry.

16. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable electrical stimulator, and the external communication device includes processing circuitry that programs the implantable electrical stimulator via the telemetry circuitry.

17. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the implantable medical device includes an implantable pump, and the external communication device includes processing circuitry that programs the implantable pump via the telemetry circuitry.

18. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display.

19. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the backlight includes an electroluminescent backlight.

20. The external communication device of claim 11, wherein the external communication device is capable of being hand-held and is battery-powered.

21. A method comprising:

activating wireless telemetry circuitry in an external communication device to communicate with an implantable medical device, wherein the external communication device includes an internal antenna, and the telemetry circuitry receives signals from the implantable medical device via the internal antenna during activation of the telemetry circuitry;

disabling an electroluminescent backlight of a liquid crystal display in the external communication device during activation of the telemetry circuitry to reduce electrical interference in response to a telemetry quiet mode signal; and

enabling the backlight when the telemetry is not activated.