IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WHICH MAY BE CONTROLLED FROM CENTRAL STATION
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Abstract
An implantable medical device (IMD) comprises a transmitting/receiving (T/R) device for transmitting medical data sensed from a patient to, and for receiving control signals from, a medical expert (a human medical professional and/or a computerised expert system) at a remote location; an electronic medical treatment device for treating the patient in response to control signals applied thereto; and a sensor circuit, having a sensor circuit output, for producing sensor circuit output signal(s) representing medical data sensed from the patient. The IMD also includes logic device which analyses the sensor circuit output signal(s) to detect a medical abnormality and, upon detecting an abnormality, either sends a notification signal representing a medical state of said patient to the medical expert at the remote location or sends a local treatment device control signal to the medical treatment device, or does both.
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Citations
185 Claims
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1-155. -155. (canceled)
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156. A system of electronic medical apparatus for treating a human patient, comprising at least one implantable medical device (IMD) adapted to be implanted in said patient, which may be alternatively automatically self-controlled and remotely controlled by a medical expert, said apparatus comprising, in combination:
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(1) at least one IMD comprising, in combination; (a) a first transmitting/receiving (T/R) device for transmitting medical data sensed from said patient to, and for receiving at least one remote control signal from, a remote station; (b) an electronic medical treatment device for treating said patient in response to control signals applied thereto; (c) a sensor circuit, having a sensor circuit output, for producing at least one sensor circuit output signal at said sensor circuit output in response to the medical data sensed from the patient; and (d) a logic device coupled to each of (i) said sensor circuit output, (ii) said first T/R device, and (iii) said treatment device, for (i) analysis of said at least one sensor circuit output signal, (ii) generating a remote station notification signal, (iii) generating at least one local treatment device control signal, and (iv) generating at least one remote treatment device control signal, in response to said received remote control signal; wherein; said logic device analyzes said at least one sensor circuit output signal to detect, a medical abnormality which requires notification of the medical expert at the remote location, and is operative to generate a notification signal, for consideration by said medical expert when said analysis reveals said medical abnormality; upon receipt of said notification signal, said first T/R device transmits said notification signal representing at least, one medical state of said patient to the remote station; said logic device analyses said at least one sensor circuit output signal to detect a medical abnormality which requires treatment and is operative to generate at least one local treatment device control signal, if required; said logic device is operative to generate at least one remote treatment device control signal in response to said at least one remote control signal received from the remote station by said first T/R device; said logic device determines whether to issue a notification signal, to issue a local treatment signal, to issue both a notification and a local, treatment signal, or to issue neither a notification nor a local treatment signal, based on said analysis; and (2) a remote station comprising, in combination; (a) a display device for displaying medical information from said patient for evaluation by said medical expert at the remote station, in response to the receipt of said notification signal transmitted from said at least one IMD; (b) a first input device, responsive to said medical export, for producing at least one remote control signal for controlling said IMD; and (c) a second T/R device, coupled to said display device and said input device, for receiving said notification signal and for transmitting said at least one remote control signal; wherein; said medical expert observes and analyses said information representing at least one medical state of said patient via said display device, following receipt of said notification signal, based on said analysis, said medical expert may cause said input device to generate said at least one remote control signal; and (3) a communication relay unit including; (a) a third transmitting/receiving (T/R) device for electronic communication with said second T/R device of said remote station; and (b) a fourth transmitting/receiving (T/R) device, coupled to said third T/R device, for electronic communication with said first T/R device of said IMD; wherein said notification signal is transmitted from said first T/R device of said IMD sequentially via said fourth T/R device and said third T/R device to said second T/R device of said remote station; and said at least one remote control signal is transmitted from said second T/R device of said remote station sequentially via said third T/R device, said fourth T/R device and said first T/R device to the logic device of said IMD; whereby said IMD communicates with said remote station through said relay unit; and said IMD delivers therapy, if required, in response to one of said at least one local treatment device control signal and said at least one remote treatment device control signal. - View Dependent Claims (159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169)
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157. The apparatus defined in 156, further comprising a plurality (x) of communication relay units, each including:
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(1) a (y)th transmitting/receiving (T/R) device; (2) a (y+1)th, transmitting/receiving T/R device; wherein (a) y=2z+1; (b) z is an integer which is at least the number 1 and at most the number x; (c) said first T/R device and said second T/R device are linked by x+1 separate communication links serially connected through said x communication relay units, as follows; (i) a (p)th one of said T/R device, where p equals one of the possible values of y, belonging to the [(p−
1)/2]th communication relay unit, communicates with said second T/R device;(ii) said (p+1)th T/R device, belonging to said [(p−
1)/2]th communication relay unit, communicates with one said (qth) T/R device, belonging to said [(q−
1)/2]th communication relay unit, where q equals one of the possible valises of y except p;(iii) step (ii) is repeated, with each successive step utilising a remaining communication relay unit, until all of said communication relay units are utilised, and all but one of said possible values of y are assigned; (iv) in a final step, said (k+1)th T/R device, where k is the last possible value of y to be assigned, communicates with said first T/E device; thereby to cause said first T/R device and said second T/R device to communicate through a plurality of communication relay units. - View Dependent Claims (158)
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170. A system of electronic medical apparatus for treating a human patient comprising at least one implantable medical device (IMD) adapted to be implanted in said patient, which may be alternatively automatically self-con trolled and remotely controlled by a medical expert, said apparatus comprising, in combination;
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(1) at least one IMD comprising, in combination; (a) a first transmitting/receiving (T/R) device for transmitting medical data sensed from said patient to, and for receiving at least one remote control signal from, a remote station; (b) an electronic medical treatment device for treating said patient in response to control signals applied thereto; (c) a sensor circuit, having a sensor circuit output, for producing at least one sensor circuit output signal at said sensor circuit output in response to the medical data sensed from the patient; and (d) a logic device coupled to each of (i) said sensor circuit output, (ii) said first T/R device, and (iii) said treatment device, for (i) analysis of said at least one sensor circuit, output signal, (ii) generating a remote station notification signal, (iii) generating at least one local treatment device control signal, and (iv) generating at least one remote treatment device control signal, in response to said received remote control signal; wherein; said logic device analyzes said at least one sensor circuit output signal to detect a medical abnormality which requires notification of the medical expert at the remote location, and is operative to generate a notification signal, for consideration by said medical expert when said analysis reveals said medical abnormality; upon receipt of said notification signal, said first T/R device transmits said notification signal representing at least one medical state of said patient to the remote station; said logic device analyses said at least one sensor circuit output signal to detect a medical abnormality which requires treatment and is operative to generate at least one local treatment device control signal, if required; said logic device is operative to generate at least one remote treatment device control signal in response to said at least one remote control signal received from the remote station by said first T/R device; said logic device determines whether to issue a notification signal, to issue a local treatment signal, to issue both a notification and a local treatment signal, or to issue neither a notification nor a local treatment signal, based on said analysis; and (2) a remote station comprising, in combination; (a) a display device for displaying medical information from said patient for evaluation by said medical expert at the remote station, in response to the receipt of said notification signal transmitted from said at least one IMD; (b) a first input device, responsive to said medical, expert, for producing at least one remote control signal for controlling said IMD; and (a) a second T/R device, coupled to said display device and said input device, for receiving said notification signal and for transmitting said at least one remote control signal; wherein; said notification signal is transmitted from said first, T/R device of said IMD to said second T/R device of said remote station; and said medical expert, observes and analyzes said information representing at least one medical state of said patient via said display device, following receipt of said notification signal, based on said analysis, said medical expert may cause said input device to generate said at least one remote control signal; and said at least one remote control signal Is transmitted from said second T/R device of said remote station via said first T/R device to the logic device of said IMD; and wherein upon the expiration of a power down time interval following the latter of; (i) the transmission of said notification signal to said remote station, and (ii) the last received remote control, signal, said logic device powers down said first T/R device until the occurrence of a further medical abnormality which requires notification; whereby said IMD delivers therapy, if required, in response to one of said at least one local treatment device control signal and said at least one remote treatment device control signal; and said IMD limits its power requirement.
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171. A system of electronic medical apparatus for treating a human patient comprising at least one implantable medical device (IMD) adapted to be implanted in said patient, which may be alternatively automatically self-controlled and remotely controlled by a medical expert, said apparatus comprising, in combination;
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(1) at least one IMD comprising, in combination; (a) a first transmitting/receiving (T/R) device for transmitting medical data sensed from said patient to, and for receiving at least one remote control signal from, a remote station; (b) an electronic medical treatment device for treating said patient in response to control signals applied thereto; (c) a sensor circuit, having a sensor circuit output, for producing at least one sensor circuit output signal at said sensor circuit output in response to the medical data sensed from the patient; and (d) a logic device coupled to each of (i) said sensor circuit output, (ii) said first T/R device, and (iii) said treatment device, for (i) analysis of said at least one sensor circuit output signal, (ii) generating a remote station notification signal, (iii) generating at least one local treatment device control signal, and (iv) generating at least one remote treatment device control signal, in response to said received remote control signal; wherein; said logic device analyses said at least one sensor circuit output signal to detect a medical abnormality which requires notification of the medical expert at the remote location, and is operative to generate a notification signal, for consideration by said medical expert when said analysis reveals said medical abnormality; upon, receipt of said notification signal, said first T/R device transmits said notification signal representing at least one medical state of said patient to the remote station; said logic device analyzes said at least one sensor circuit output signal, to detect a medical abnormality which requires treatment and is operative to generate at least one local treatment device control signal, if required; said logic device is operative to generate at least one remote treatment device control signal in response to said at least one remote control signal received from the remote station by said, first T/R device; said logic device determines whether to issue a notification signal, to a local treatment signal, to issue both a notification and a local treatment signal, or to issue neither a notification nor a local treatment signal, based on said analysis; and (2) a remote station comprising, in combination; (a) a display device for displaying medical information from said patient for evaluation by said medical, expert at the remote station, in response to the receipt of said notification signal transmitted from said at least one IMD; (b) a first input device, responsive to said medical, expert, for producing at least one remote control signal for controlling said IMD; (c) a second T/R device, coupled to said display device and said input device, for receiving said notification signal and for transmitting said at least one remote control signal; and (d) a remote station handshake device, coupled to said second T/E device, for generating at least one remote station handshake signal; wherein; said notification signal is transmitted from said first T/R device of said IMD to said second T/R device of said remote station; and said medical expert observes and analyzes said information representing at least one medical state of said patient via said display device, following receipt, of said notification signal, based on said analysis, said medical expert may cause said input device to generate said at least one remote control signal; and said at least one remote control signal is transmitted from said second T/R device of said remote station via said first T/R device to the logic device of said IMD; and wherein; (I) receipt of said notification signal by said remote station causes said remote station handshake device to generate a remote station handshake signal for transmission by said second T/R device to said first T/R device; (II) receipt of said remote station handshake signal by said IMD causes said IMD logic device to generate an IMD handshake signal for transmission by said first T/R device to said second T/R device; (III) receipt of said IMD handshake signal by said remote station causes said remote station handshake device to generate another remote station handshake signal for transmission to said IMD; and (IV) said steps (II) and (III) continue to repeat sequentially; whereby said IMD delivers therapy, if required, in response to one of said at least one local treatment device control signal and said at least one remote treatment device control signal; and each of said IMD logic device and said remote station handshake device, determine a presence of proper communication by the continuing timely receipt of respective handshake signals, and an absence of proper communication by an absence of timely receipt of respective handshake signals. - View Dependent Claims (172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185)
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Specification