Synchronization of medical devices via digital interface

• US 20100056871A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Govari, Assaf, Altmann, Andres Claudio
• Granted Patent: US 9,089,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

A method for device control includes bringing a plurality of medical devices into contact with a body of a patient. The medical devices are coupled to communicate with a console via a digital interface. A message is transmitted over the digital interface from the console, to be received simultaneously by the plurality of the medical devices. The medical devices are synchronized with one another responsively to receiving the message.

Claims

1. A method for device control, comprising:

bringing a plurality of medical devices into contact with a body of a patient;

coupling the medical devices to communicate with a console via a digital interface;

transmitting a message over the digital interface from the console, to be received simultaneously by the plurality of the medical devices; and

synchronizing the medical devices with one another responsively to receiving the message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical devices comprise catheters, which are brought into contact with a heart of the patient.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital interface comprises a wireless interface.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein transmitting the message comprises sending a broadcast message, in a format prescribed a standard applicable to the wireless interface, from the console to the plurality of the medical devices.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein transmitting the message comprises sending a synchronization message in accordance with a first protocol, and wherein the method comprises transmitting data over the wireless interface using a second protocol, different from the first protocol.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the message comprises sending one or more pulses from the console to the plurality of the medical devices.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical devices comprise respective sensors, which are configured to generate signals while the medical devices are in contact with the body, and the method comprises sampling the signals in the medical devices, and transmitting the sampled signals to the console over the digital interface.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the signals are sampled using a respective internal clock in each of the medical devices, and wherein synchronizing the medical devices comprises resetting the internal clock.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the respective sensors comprise position sensors, and the signals are indicative of respective positions of the medical devices.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the respective sensors comprise electrodes, and the signals are indicative of electrical activity in the body.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the respective sensors comprise electrodes, and the signals are indicative of a contact impedance between the devices and tissue in the body.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the respective sensors are responsive to force exerted on the devices, and the signals are indicative of a contact pressure between the device and tissue in the body.

13. Medical electronic apparatus, comprising:

a console, which comprises a first digital interface and is configured to transmit a message over the digital interface simultaneously to multiple recipients; and

a plurality of medical devices, which are configured to be brought into contact with a body of a patient, and which comprise second digital interfaces for communication with the first digital interface of the console, and which are configured to simultaneously receive the message transmitted by the console and to synchronize with one another responsively to receiving the message.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the medical devices comprise catheters, which are configured to be brought into contact with a heart of the patient.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first and second digital interfaces comprises wireless interfaces.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the message comprises a broadcast message, which is transmitted from the console to the plurality of the medical devices in a format prescribed a standard applicable to the wireless interfaces.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the message comprises sending a synchronization message in accordance with a first protocol, and wherein the medical devices are configured to transmit data over the wireless interface using a second protocol, different from the first protocol.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the message comprises one or more pulses, which are transmitted from the console to the plurality of the medical devices.

19. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the medical devices comprise respective sensors, which are configured to generate signals while the medical devices are in contact with the body, and circuitry, which is configured to sample the signals generated by the sensors, and to transmit the sampled signals to the console over the digital interface.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the circuitry is configured to sample the signals using a respective internal clock in each of the medical devices, and to reset the internal clock upon receiving the message.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the respective sensors comprise position sensors, and the signals are indicative of respective positions of the medical devices.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the respective sensors comprise electrodes, and the signals are indicative of electrical activity in the body.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the respective sensors comprise electrodes, and the signals are indicative of a contact impedance between the devices and tissue in the body.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the respective sensors are responsive to force exerted on the devices, and the signals are indicative of a contact pressure between the device and tissue in the body.