System for seamless and secure networking of implantable medical devices, electronic patch devices and wearable devices

• US 20080129465A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IP Holdings Incorporated (IP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: IP Holdings Incorporated (IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Rao, Raman K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,183,998 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/286.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/362 Heart stimulators heart defibrillators A61N1/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39 Heart defibrillators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/00 ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 : with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/30 : Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes

Abstract

A system level scheme for networking of implantable devices, electronic patch devices/sensors coupled to the body, and wearable sensors/devices with cellular telephone/mobile devices, peripheral devices and remote servers is described.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first medical device configured for implantation in a body, wherein the first medical device includes a first processor that is dynamically configurable;

a second medical device configured for implantation in the body, wherein the second medical device includes a second processor that is dynamically configurable; and

a coupling between the first medical device and the second medical device, the coupling forming a network including the first medical device and the second medical device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first medical device and the second medical device are configured to perform continuous monitoring of human body parameters.

3. The system of claim 2, comprising at least one remote device, wherein the remote device is configured to receive the human body parameters, wherein the remote device is configured to process, measure, monitor, and/or archive the human body parameters.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote device is a component of a remote network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first medical device, the second medical device and the network are uniquely addressable for safe, secure and intended communication with a selected level of device/user authentication including biometric authentication.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first medical device, the second medical device and the network are uniquely and separately configured for a functional task and/or a defined utility at a selected time and for a selected duration.

7. A system comprising:

a first sensor configured for attachment to a body, wherein the first sensor includes a first processor that is dynamically configurable;

a second sensor configured for attachment to the body, wherein the second sensor includes a second processor that is dynamically configurable; and

a coupling between the first sensor and the second sensor, the coupling forming a sensor network including the first sensor and the second sensor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to perform continuous monitoring of body parameters.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising at least one remote device, wherein the remote device is configured to receive the body parameters, wherein the remote device is configured to process, measure, monitor, and/or archive the human body parameters.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote device is a component of a remote network.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor and the network are uniquely addressable for safe, secure and intended communication with a selected level of device/user authentication including biometric authentication.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein one or more of the first sensor, the second sensor and the network are uniquely and separately configured for a functional task and/or a defined utility at a selected time and for a selected duration.

13. A method comprising:

dynamically configuring a first medical device, wherein the first medical device includes a first processor;

dynamically configuring a second medical device, wherein the second medical device includes a second processor; and

forming a network including the first medical device and the second medical device, the network comprising a coupling between the first medical device and the second medical device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first medical device is at least one device selected from a group consisting of implantable devices configured to be implanted in the body, sensor devices configured for attachment to the body, and medical devices configured for wear on the body, wherein the second medical device is at least one device selected from a group consisting of implantable devices configured to be implanted in the body, sensor devices configured for attachment to the body, and medical devices configured for wear on the body.

15. The method of claim 13, comprising configuring the first medical device and the second medical device to perform continuous monitoring of human body parameters.

16. The system of claim 15, forming the network to include at least one remote device, wherein the remote device is configured to receive the human body parameters, wherein the remote device is configured to process, measure, monitor, and/or archive the human body parameters.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote device is a component of a remote network.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first medical device, the second medical device and the network are uniquely addressable for safe, secure and intended communication with a selected level of device/user authentication including biometric authentication.

19. The system of claim 13, comprising uniquely and separately configuring one or more of the first medical device, the second medical device and the network for a functional task and/or a defined utility at a selected time and for a selected duration.