Methods for modifying control software of electronic medical devices

• US 20080076969A1
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LifeScan Scotland Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: LifeScan Scotland Limited (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ohlenschlager, Manfred, Ebner, Manfred, McCluskey, Joseph A., Kraft, Ulrich
• Application Number:
  US11/512,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20080076969A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• 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 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• 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: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for modifying, upgrading, or otherwise revising control software, instructions, or algorithms of an electronic medical device. A portable memory device, such as a Smart Card or the like is used to provide information for modifying the control software to the electronic medical device.

Claims

1. A method for providing information for modifying control software of a peripheral medical device from a remote controller to the peripheral medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a peripheral medical device comprising control software;

providing a remote controller capable of wirelessly communicating with the peripheral medical device at a communication frequency;

providing a portable memory device comprising information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device;

establishing communication between the portable memory device and the remote controller; and

wirelessly transferring at least a portion of the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device from the remote controller to the peripheral medical device.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the step of using the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device to change an operating parameter of the peripheral medical device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the operating parameter of the peripheral medical device comprises one or more of a language for a user interface and a communication frequency or protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device comprises one or more of a software program or application, revised software code, instructions, and algorithms.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising using the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device to change the communication frequency of the peripheral medical device from a first communication frequency to a second communication frequency.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first frequency ranges from about 868 MHz to about 869 MHz and the second frequency ranges from about 902 MHz to about 928 MHz.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first frequency ranges from about 902 MHz to about 928 MHz the second frequency ranges from about 868 MHz to about 869 MHz.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral medical device comprises one of a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and an insulin pen.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote controller is capable of measuring glucose episodically.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable memory device comprises one or more of a flash memory card a flash memory chip, a Smart Media Memory device, a Single Inline Memory Module, an electrically erasable programmable memory card, and a Smart Card.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of establishing communication between the portable memory device and the remote controller comprises physically connecting the portable memory device to the remote controller.

12. A method for providing information for modifying control software of a peripheral medical device from a remote controller to the peripheral medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a peripheral medical device comprising control software;

providing a remote controller comprising control software and capable of wirelessly communicating with the peripheral medical device;

providing a portable memory device comprising information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device and information for modifying the control software of the remote controller;

establishing communication between the portable memory device and the remote controller;

modifying the control software of the remote controller based on the information for modifying the control software of the remote controller;

wirelessly transferring at least a portion of the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device from the remote controller to the peripheral medical device; and

modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device based on the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising writing the information for modifying the control software of the peripheral medical device to a memory portion of the remote controller.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of modifying the control software of the remote controller comprises modifying a user interface of the remote controller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of modifying the user interface of the remote controller comprises changing the language of the user interface from a first language to a second language.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of modifying the control software of the remote controller comprises the step of providing or modifying a food database for estimating an amount of carbohydrate to the user interface of the remote controller.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the peripheral medical device comprises one of a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and an insulin pen.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote controller is capable of measuring glucose episodically.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the portable memory device comprises one or more of a flash memory card a flash memory chip, a Smart Media Memory device, a Single Inline Memory Module, an electrically erasable programmable memory card, and a Smart Card.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of establishing communication between the portable memory device and remote controller comprises physically connecting the portable memory device to the remote controller.