INTERNET SUPPORTED SOFTWARE UPDATES FOR MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20130253600A1
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Physio-Control Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Drew, Kevin C., Lewis, Dana S.
• Application Number:
  US13/629,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20130253600A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

A computer can include a first communication port for establishing a first connection with a medical device, a second communication port for establishing a second connection with a network, and an agent configured to query a collection of device records within the network to determine whether a device record specific to the medical device exists. The computer can also include a processor configured to receive over the second connection a message from the network responsive to the query, the message including an upgrade link specific to a device type corresponding to the device. The processor can also be configured to send to the medical device over the first connection an upgrade of a software application on the medical device responsive to a user selecting the upgrade link, where the software application is structured to cause the device to operate.

Claims

1. A computer, comprising:

a first communication port for establishing a first connection with a medical device;

a second communication port for establishing a second connection with a network;

an agent configured to query a collection of device records within the network to determine whether a device record specific to the medical device exists; and

a processor configured to receive over the second connection a message from the network responsive to the query, the message including an upgrade link specific to a device type corresponding to the device, and the processor also configured to send to the medical device over the first connection an upgrade of a software application on the medical device responsive to a user selecting the upgrade link, the software application structured to cause the device to operate.

2. The computer of claim 1, in which

the upgrade link is at least partially based on the device record within the network that is specific to the medical device.

3. The computer of claim 1, in which

the upgrade link is at least partially based on a model number of the medical device.

4. The computer of claim 1, in which

the upgrade link is at least partially based on a customer record that is stored within the network and corresponds to the medical device.

5. The computer of claim 1, in which

the message is received from the network responsive to a purchaser placing an order for the medical device.

6. The computer of claim 1, in which

the message is received from the network responsive to a purchaser placing an order for purchasing another medical device having a type that is at least substantially similar to the device type corresponding to the device.

7. The computer of claim 6, in which

the order includes a customer account number, account contact credentials, and a listing of at least one medical device for which upgrades are available, will become available, or both are available and will become available.

8. The computer of claim 7, in which

the order specifies at least one upgrade version to be applied to the software application.

9. The computer of claim 7, in which

the order specifies at least one configuration setting of the medical device.

10. The computer of claim 6, in which

the network determines whether a customer account pertaining to a purchaser of the medical device exists.

11. The computer of claim 10, in which

the network accesses an existing customer account.

12. The computer of claim 10, in which

the network creates a new customer account.

13. The computer of claim 12, in which

the network establishes an expiration date for the new customer account.

14. The computer of claim 13, in which

the expiration date specifies a time limit in which any upgrade is to be applied to the software application.

15. A medical device, the medical device comprising:

a housing;

an energy storage module within the housing for storing an electrical charge;

a defibrillation port for guiding via electrodes the stored electrical charge to a person;

a communication port within the housing for establishing a connection with a computer in communication with a network;

a memory within the housing for storing a software application structured to cause the device to operate; and

a processor within the housing configured to execute the software application and to implement an upgrade of the software application received from the computer over the connection responsive to a user selecting a link in a message received by the computer from the network, the link specific to a device type corresponding to the device.

16. The medical device of claim 15, in which

the processor is configured to implement the upgrade by executing an upgrade application received from the computer over the connection.

17. The medical device of claim 16, in which

the processor is configured to delete the upgrade application after the upgrade has been implemented.

18. The medical device of claim 15, in which

the processor is further configured to execute a self-test of the medical device after the upgrade has been implemented.

19. The medical device of claim 18, in which

the processor is configured to provide a notification that the self-test was successful.

20. The medical device of claim 18, in which

the processor is configured to delete the upgrade application responsive to an indication that the self-test was successful.

21. The medical device of claim 15, in which

the email message further includes credentials pertaining to the medical device, the upgrade, or both the medical device and the upgrade, and instructions for implementing the upgrade.

22. A method, comprising:

receiving an order for at least one medical device;

associating the order with a customer account;

registering the medical device;

determining whether an upgrade is available for a software application specific to the medical device; and

sending an email message that includes a link to an upgrade application configured to implement the upgrade for the software application.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

determining whether the customer account exists.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that the customer account does not exist, creating the customer account.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

establishing an expiration date for the customer account, the expiration date specifying a time limit in which any upgrade is to be applied to the software application.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

automatically downloading and executing the upgrade application responsive to a user selecting the link in the email message.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

deleting the upgrade application after the upgrade has been implemented.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

executing a self-test of the medical device after the upgrade has been implemented.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing a notification that the self-test was successful.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

deleting the upgrade application responsive to an indication that the self-test was successful.