SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND ACTIVATING A PLURALITY OF CONTROL DATA

• US 20090054937A1
• Filed: 07/07/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biotronik SE & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Biotronik VI Patent AG (Biotronik SE & Company KG)
• Inventors: Severin, Thomas, Bungartz, Joern
• Granted Patent: US 8,204,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• 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 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/923 by comparison of patient data to other data

Abstract

A cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or other programmable medical device (25) includes a source unit (15) and a collection unit (20). The source unit (15) has a check data unit (40) generating at least one check datum for control data for the medical device (25), and a transmitting unit (45) transmitting the control data and the check datum to the collection unit (20). The collection unit (20) has a storage unit (65) storing the control data, a check unit (70) checking the integrity of the control data using the check datum, and a transmitting unit (75) transmitting the control data to a programmable control unit (80) of the medical device (25) only if the integrity of the control data is established by the check unit (70). The control unit (80) of the medical device (25) controls the functions of the medical device (20) on the basis of the transmitted control data.

Claims

1. A system (10) for transmitting control data for a programmable personal medical device (25), in particular an implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or the like, including a source unit (15), a collection unit (20), and a personal device (25),

a. wherein the source unit (15) includes:

(1) a data set unit (35) generating a control data set (200) having a plurality of control data,

(2) a check data unit (40) generating at least one check datum usable for an integrity check of the control data set (200), and

(3) a transmitting unit (45) transmitting the control data set (200) and the check datum to the collection unit (20),

b. wherein the collection unit (20) includes;

(1) a receiving unit (60) receiving the control data set (200) and the check datum,

(2) a storage unit (65) storing the control data set (200) and/or the control data of the control data set (200),

(3) a check unit (70) checking the integrity of the control data set (200) using one or more check data, and

(4) a transmitting unit (75) transmitting the control data to a programmable control unit (80) of the personal device (25),

c. wherein the personal device (25);

(1) includes a programmable control unit (80) controlling functions of the personal device (25) in accordance with the control data,

(2) transmits the control data to the control unit (80) of the personal device (25) only if the integrity of the control data set (200) is established by the check unit (70), and

(3) executes, in the control unit (80), the control of functions of the personal device (20) on the basis of the control data received from the collection unit (20).

2. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the personal device (25) is an active medical implant.

3. The system (10) of claim 2 wherein the personal device (25) is an implantable cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator-cardioverter.

4. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the source unit (15) includes a programming device (50) wherein control data are prepared, the control data including control parameters for the control unit (80).

5. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the source unit (15) includes a server (55) providing the control data, the control data including a control program for the control unit (80).

6. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the control data include a control parameter and/or a control program.

7. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the control data include meta-control data defining the control unit'"'"'s (80) usage of the control data in the control of functions of the personal device (25), the meta-control data including at least one of information regarding:

a. a sequence for the use of the control data,

b. a chronological succession for the use of the control data,

c. a duration of the use of the control data, and

d. a condition for the use of the control data.

8. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the personal device (25) includes the collection unit (20).

9. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the collection unit (20) is:

a. situated separately from the personal device (25) within a patient device (85) assigned to the personal device (25), and

b. coupled to the personal device (25) via a wireless data connection,

10. The system (10) of claim 1 further including a combination unit (30) having:

a. a receiving unit (60′

) receiving first and second control data sets (200) from the source unit (15),

b. a storage unit (65′

) storing the first and the second control data set (200), and/or any control data therein,

c. a check data unit (40′

) generating at least one combination check datum for a third control data set (200), wherein the third control data set (200) includes the first and the second control data sets (200), and

d. a transmitting unit (45′

) transmitting the third control data set (200) and the combination check datum to the collection unit (20),

e. a check unit (70′

) checking the integrity of the first and the second control data sets (200) using a first and a second check datum received by the receiving unit (60′

),

wherein the combination unit (30) transmits the third control data set (200) to the collection unit (20) only if the check unit (70′

) verifies the integrity of the first and the second control data sets (200).

11. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the check datum includes an identifier establishing an integral control data set (200), the identifier including at least one of:

a. a checksum, and

b. a hash value.

12. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein the check datum includes a control data set end signal (220) indicating a complete transmission of the control data set (200).

13. The system (10) of claim 12 wherein:

a. the check datum includes a control data set start signal (205) indicating a start of the transmission of the control data set (200),

b. the control data set end signal (220) and the control data set start signal (205) are each provided with an identifier assigning the control data set end signal (220) and the control data set start signal (205) to each other.

14. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein:

a. the check unit (70, 70′

) transmits a characterization of the control data set (200) and/or the control data forming the control data set to the check data unit (40, 40′

),

b. the check data unit (40, 40′

) generates the check datum on the basis of the characterization, and

c. the transmitting unit (45, 45′

) separately transmits the control data set (200) and check datum.

15. The system (10) of claim 1 wherein:

a. the source unit (15) generates and transmits a fourth control data set and a fourth check datum having an urgency indicator after a transmission of the first control data set, and

b. the collection unit (20) interrupts the processing of the first control data set (200) if the collection unit (20) receives the fourth control data set having the urgency indicator.

16. The system (10) of claim 15 wherein the collection unit (200), upon interrupting the processing of the first control data set (200), empties the storage unit (65) of control data of the first control data set (200).

17. The system (10) of claim 15 wherein

a. the collection unit (20) resumes the processing of the first control data set (200) after processing the fourth control data set, and

b. the storage unit (65) retains the received first control data set (200) and/or the received control data of the first control data set (200) in addition to the fourth control data set and/or the control data of the fourth control data set.

18. A programmable personal medical device (25), in particular an implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or the like, having a collection unit (20) and a programmable control unit (80),

a. wherein the collection unit (20) includes:

(1) a receiving unit (60) receiving a control data set (200) including;

(a) control data, and

(b) a check datum assigned to the control data set (200),

(2) a storage unit (65) storing the control data set (200) and/or the control data of the control data set (200),

(3) a check unit (70) checking the integrity of the control data set (200) using the check datum, and

(4) a transmitting unit (75) transmitting the control data to the programmable control unit (80) of the personal device (25) if the integrity of the control data set (200) is verified by the check unit (70), and

b. wherein the programmable control unit (80) controls functions of the personal device (25) on the basis of the control data received from the collection unit (20).

19. A method for transmitting control data for a programmable personal medical device (20), in particular an implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or the like, the method including the steps of:

a. generating a control data set (200) having control data therein,

b. generating at least one check datum for the control data,

c. transmitting the control data and the check datum to a collection unit (20),

d. within the collection unit (20),

(1) storing the transmitted control data,

(2) checking the integrity of the stored control data using the check datum,

(3) if the integrity of the stored control data is verified, transmitting the control data to a programmable control unit (80) of a personal device (25), and

e. controlling the function of the personal device (25) in accordance with the transmitted control data received from the collection unit (20).