Generic Device Programmer Network Interface

• US 20070255597A1
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Weispfenning, Ryan, Green, Joseph, Furland, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,840,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• 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 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A generic device programmer network interface is disclosed. Some embodiments include multiple connectors that are configured to connect to output hardware of multiple programmers and a transmitter that is configured to automatically transmit data received from the programmers to a server. Many embodiments serve to reduce or eliminate barriers to storing IMD and patient data on a server.

Claims

1. An interface device for use in a patient management system, comprising:

a housing;

a first connector extending from the housing via a first cable, the first connector being configured to connect to a first output hardware of a first programmer and to receive data from the first programmer;

a second connector extending from the housing via a second cable, the second connector being configured to connect to a second output hardware of a second programmer and to receive data from the second programmer, the second output hardware differing from the first output hardware;

a transmitter in a housing, the transmitter being configured to automatically transmit data received by one of the first and second connectors to a server.

2. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit data according to a wireless protocol.

3. The interface device of claim 2, wherein the transmitter includes an upgradeable feature to allow the transmitter to transmit data according to a first wireless protocol at a first time and according to a second wireless protocol at a second later time.

4. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the first and second output hardware are selected from the group consisting of a parallel port, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a USB port, an ECG output port, and a serial port.

5. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth connectors extending from the housing via third and fourth cables,

the third connector being configured to connect to a third output hardware of a third programmer and to receive data from the third programmer, the third output hardware differing from the first and second output hardware, and

the fourth connector being configured to connect to a fourth output hardware of a fourth programmer and to receive data from the fourth programmer, the fourth output hardware differing from the first, second, and third output hardware, the transmitter being configured to automatically transmit data received by the first, second, third, or fourth connectors to the server.

6. The interface device of claim 5, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth output hardware are selected from the group consisting of a parallel port, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a USB port, an ECG output port, and a serial port.

7. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes an ECG connector and the transmitter includes a configuration to cause the server to record waveform data.

8. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a configuration to transmit data to the first connector.

9. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising means for associating the first connector with a first network address and the second connector with a second network address.

10. The interface device of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to perform a process on data received by the first or second connectors before the transmitter sends processed data to the server.

11. The interface device of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a floppy disk connector that includes a housing shaped like a standard 3.5-inch floppy disk.

12. A patient management system, comprising:

(i) a first programmer having a first output hardware and being configured to receive data from a first implantable medical device;

(ii) a second programmer having a second output hardware and being configured to receive data from a second implantable medical device

(iii) an interface device that includes;

a first connector configured to connect to the first output hardware and to receive data from the first programmer;

a second connector configured to connect to the second output hardware and to receive data from the second programmer, the second output hardware differing from the first output hardware;

a transmitter that automatically transmits data received by the first or second connectors;

(iv) a server that receives data from the transmitter and stores the data; and

(v) a workstation configured to allow an operator to retrieve a subset of the data stored on the server.

13. The patient management system of claim 12, wherein the workstation includes a configuration to allow the operator to retrieve the subset of data in a customized format from the server.

14. The patient management system of claim 12, wherein the workstation (a) comprises a web-based interface and (b) includes a configuration to allow the operator to interact with the server through the Internet.

15. The patient management system of claim 12, wherein the subset of data corresponds to a patient'"'"'s record.

16. The patient management system of claim 12, wherein the workstation includes a further configuration to assist the operator with workflow management functions.

17. The patient management system of claim 12, wherein the first and second output hardware are selected from the group consisting of a parallel port, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a USB port, an ECG output port, and a serial port.

18. An interface device for use in a patient management system, comprising:

a housing;

a first connector extending from the housing via a first cable, the first connector being configured to connect to a first output hardware of a first programmer and to receive data from the first programmer;

a second connector extending from the housing via a second cable, the second connector being configured to connect to a second output hardware of a second programmer and to receive data from the second programmer;

a third connector extending from the housing via a third cable, the third connector being configured to connect to a third output hardware of a third programmer and to receive data from the third programmer;

a fourth connector extending from the housing via a fourth cable, the fourth connector being configured to connect to a fourth output hardware of a fourth programmer and to receive data from the fourth programmer; and

a transmitter housed in the housing, the transmitter being configured to automatically transmit data received by the first, second, third, or fourth connectors to a server, the first, second, third, and fourth output hardware being different from one another.

19. The interface device of claim 18, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth output hardware are selected from the group consisting of a parallel port, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a USB port, an ECG output port, and a serial port.

20. The interface device of claim 18, wherein the transmitter being upgradeable to allow the transmitter to transmit data according to a first wireless protocol at a first time and according to a second wireless protocol at a second later time.