MODULAR UNIVERSAL PROGRAMMING DEVICE

• US 20100114242A1
• Filed: 11/04/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biotronik SE & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG (Biotronik SE & Company KG)
• Inventors: Dodt, Torsten, Hennig, Carsten, Hensen, Kai, Doerr, Thomas, Elsner, Joachim
• Granted Patent: US 9,026,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

A universal programming device for individualized patient medical devices such as implants has an RF transceiver (transmitter/receiver), a control unit, and a man-machine interface (or a connection for a man-machine interface). The RF transceiver is configured to receive and transmit data in the MICS frequency band. The control unit is connected to the transceiver and has preconfigured software interfaces, such that the programming device can be expanded by addition of control software modules. The preconfigured software interfaces define a uniform interface for triggering the transceiver, which the control software modules can access. The man-machine interface, e.g., a keyboard and/or a display (and/or the connection for such a man-machine interface) is connected to the control unit.

Claims

1. A programming device for patient medical implants, the device including:

a. an RF transceiver configured to receive and transmit data in the MICS frequency band,

b. a control unit;

(1) connected to the transceiver,

(2) configured for communication with a man-machine interface,

(3) including one or more control software modules, each control software module providing features for controlling a patient medical implant, and

(4) including a preconfigured software interface configured to access the control software modules, and providing communication between the control software modules and the transceiver.

2. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the RF transceiver is configured to implement different communications protocols for communication with different patient medical implants, the different communications protocols being dictated by the control software modules.

3. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the control unit further includes hardware interfaces for one or more add-on implantable medical device hardware modules, the hardware interfaces being connected to the RF transceiver via the control unit.

4. The programming device of claim 3 further including:

a. one or more MICS communication antennas connected to the RF transceiver, and

b. one or more add-on implantable medical device hardware modules, wherein the hardware modules contain driver software for controlling the antennas.

5. The programming device of claim 3 further including one or more add-on implantable medical device hardware modules, wherein the hardware modules each include software for generating a graphical user interface (GUI) on the man-machine interface.

6. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the control software modules each allow identification of at least one corresponding patient medical implant.

7. The programming device of claim 1 further including one or more MICS communication antennas connected to the RF transceiver.

8. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the man-machine interface has at least one display for identification of a patient medical implant, the display showing at least one of:

a. a serial number or other identification code identifying the patient medical implant, and

b. a patient name corresponding to the patient medical implant.

9. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the man-machine interface has one or more keys connected to the control unit for triggering of emergency functions in a patient medical implant.

10. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the programming device further includes a frequency generator for data communication in frequency ranges other than the MICS frequency range.

11. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the software interface is configured to provide connections for control of the functions of one or more patient medical implants by a user via one or more man-machine interfaces, the connections being provided as a web client.

12. The programming device of claim 1 wherein the programming device is designed as a USB flash drive.

13. The programming device of claim 12 wherein the USB flash drive has at least one integrated MICS antenna.

14. A programming device for patient medical implants, the device including:

a. a man-machine interface including a display and a data input device,

b. an RF transceiver configured to receive and transmit data in the MICS frequency band,

c. a control unit;

(1) connected to the transceiver and the man-machine interface,

(2) including one or more control software modules, each control software module being configured to;

(i) adapt the transceiver to communicate with a respective patient medical implant, and

(ii) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on the man-machine interface for entry of control commands to be communicated to the respective patient medical implant via the transceiver.

15. The programming device of claim 14 further including:

a. a USB connector, and

b. a personal computer connected to the USB connector, wherein;

(1) the man-machine interface is provided in connection with the personal computer, and

(2) the control unit is connected to the man-machine interface through the personal computer.

16. The programming device of claim 14:

a. wherein the control unit is configured to

(1) identify a patient medical implant from which signals are received via the RF transceiver, and

(2) classify the identified patient medical device as one of the following implant types;

(a) a pacemaker,

(b) a carioverter/defibrillator,

(c) a neurostimulator,

(d) a medication pump,

b. further including a preconfigured software interface configured to generate control displays on the man-machine interface, each control display;

(1) corresponding to one of the implant types, and

(2) accepting command inputs configured for its implant type.

17. The programming device of claim 14 further including one or more implantable medical device hardware modules, each hardware interface module:

a. having a module antenna configured for communication with a respective patient medical implant, and

b. being connected to the RF transceiver via the control unit.

18. The programming device of claim 16 wherein each of the hardware modules is connected to the programming device by connectors allowing detachable removal and replacement of the hardware module.

19. The programming device of claim 16 wherein each of the hardware modules corresponds to one of the software modules, with the corresponding software module connecting its corresponding hardware module to the RF transceiver.

20. A programming device for patient medical implants, the device including:

a. a man-machine interface including a display and a data input device,

b. an RF transceiver configured to receive and transmit data in the MICS frequency band, the RF transceiver including a transceiver antenna,

c. a control unit;

(1) connected to the transceiver and the man-machine interface,

(2) including one or more implantable medical device hardware modules, each hardware interface module having a module antenna configured for communication with a respective patient medical implant,

(3) including one or more control software modules, each control software module being configured to;

(i) communicate with a respective patient medical implant via one or more of the transceiver antenna and the module antennas, and

(ii) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on the man-machine interface for entry of control commands to be communicated to the respective patient medical implant.