System for Communication with Implantable Medical Devices Using a Bridge Device

• US 20120215285A1
• Filed: 02/13/2012
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Aghassian, Daniel, Ackermann, Douglas Michael, Hyun, Joonho, Tahmasian, Samuel
• Granted Patent: US 8,983,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A communications bridge device communicates between a consumer electronics device, such as a smart telephone, and an implantable medical device. The bridge forwards instructions and data between the consumer electronics device and the implantable medical device. The bridge contains a first transceiver that operates according to a communication protocol operating in the consumer electronics device (such as Bluetooth®), and second transceiver that operates according to a communications technique operating in the implantable medical device (e.g., Frequency Shift Keying). A software application is installed on the consumer electronics device, which provides a user interface for controlling and reading the implantable medical device. The software application is downloadable using standard cellular means. The bridge is preferably small, and easily and discreetly carried by the implantable medical device patient. The bridge is preferably also simple to operate, and may have only a simple user interface, or no user interface at all.

Claims

1. A communication bridge device for communicating with an implantable medical device and a consumer electronics device, comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing is portable for a patient;

a first transceiver in the housing configured for wirelessly communicating with the implantable medical device in accordance with a first communication technique; and

a second transceiver in the housing configured for wirelessly communicating with the consumer electronics device in accordance with a second communications technique; and

a microcontroller in the housing coupled between the first transceiver and the second transceiver,

wherein the microcontroller is programmed to allow the consumer electronics device to control and monitor the implantable medical device via activation of the first and second transceivers,

wherein the microcontroller is further programmed to provide a firewall between the consumer electronics device and the implantable medical device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first communication technique is implemented using a magnetic inductive coupling.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first communication technique comprises Frequency Shift Keying.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second communication technique comprises a short-range RF protocol.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second communication technique establishes a personal area network.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver comprises a coil antenna, and wherein the second transceiver comprises an RF antenna.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the RF antenna comprises a wire monopole, a printed inverted F antenna, a helix, or a surface mount dielectric antenna.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the coil antenna is wrapped around a ferromagnetic core.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the coil antenna is wrapped around an axis parallel to a long axis of the housing.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises no user interface.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises additionally operates as a key chain.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an on/off switch, and no other input means.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an indicator light, and no other indicator means.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises buttons for increasing and decreasing stimulation.

15. (canceled)

16. A system, comprising

an implantable medical device configured to provide therapy to a patient;

a software application configured for execution by an electronics device with a user interface that is portable for a patient; and

a bridge for relaying communications between the implantable medical device and the electronics device,

wherein the software application is configured to configure the user interface of the electronics device to allow for controlling the therapy provided by the implantable medical device via the bridge, and to allow for monitoring the implantable medical device via the bridge.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an external controller with a user interface, wherein the user interface is used to wirelessly control and monitor the implantable medical device.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the electronics device comprises a mobile phone.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the electronic device comprises a first transceiver for communicating with the bridge, and a second transceiver for communicating voice and data with a network.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the network comprises a cellular network.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the first transceiver operates pursuant to a protocol, and can communicate with additional devices in addition to the bridge.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the software application is downloadable to the electronics device via the network.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the software application is further configured to connect via a network to an information source provided by a manufacturer of the implantable medical device.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the information source comprises a call center.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the information source comprises a webpage.

27. The system of claim 16, wherein the bridge is sized to be portable for the patient.

28. The system of claim 16, wherein the bridge comprises a first transceiver configured for wirelessly communicating with the implantable medical device in accordance with a first communication technique, and a second transceiver configured for wirelessly communicating with the electronics device in accordance with a second communications protocol.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the first communication technique comprises Frequency Shift Keying, and wherein the second communication protocol comprises a short-range RF protocol.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the software application provides options to the user interface to allow the patient to alter a strength of electrical stimulation provided by the implantable medical device.

32. The system of claim 16, wherein the software application provides options to the user interface to allow the patient to turn on or off electrical stimulation provided by the implantable medical device.

33. The system of claim 16, wherein the software application provides options to the user interface to allow the patient to alter stimulation parameters of electrical stimulation provided by the implantable medical device.

34. The system of claim 16, wherein the bridge comprises:

a firewall between the software application and the implantable medical device.

30. (canceled)

35. A method for controlling an implantable medical device from a consumer electronics device, comprising:

providing from a user interface of the consumer electronics device an instruction for the implantable medical device via a software application on the consumer electronics device, wherein the consumer electronics device is portable for a patient;

wirelessly transmitting in accordance with a first protocol the instruction to a bridge that is portable for the patient, wherein the bridge is portable for the patient;

wirelessly transmitting in accordance with a second protocol the instruction from the bridge to the implantable medical device; and

executing the instruction at the implantable medical device.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

protecting the implantable medical device with a firewall in the bridge.