SYSTEM MONITOR FOR MONITORING FUNCTIONAL MODULES OF A SYSTEM

• US 20140325287A1
• Filed: 04/26/2013
• Published: 10/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Inventors: NAIR, Sujith V., GINGERICH, Jamin L., DESAI, Tushar R., TOMAYKO, Brian C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,092,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/47.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/028 Arrangements to prevent overuse, e.g. by counting the number of uses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37254 Pacemaker or defibrillator security, e.g. to prevent or inhibit programming alterations by hackers or unauthorised individuals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0757 by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0793 Remedial or corrective actions recovery from an exception in an instruction pipeline G06F9/3861; by retry G06F11/1402; for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity H04L69/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0796 Safety measures, i.e. ensuring safe condition in the event of error, e.g. for controlling element
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/34 Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation ; Recording or statistical evaluation of user activity, e.g. usability assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

A method includes detecting a counter event at a system monitor of a system. The method also includes, in response to detecting the counter event, checking a state of each flag of a first set of flags. Each of the first set of flags is associated with a monitored module of the system, and the state of each of the first set of flags is indicated by a value at a memory location that is enabled. The method also includes, in response to determining that at least one flag of the first set of flags has a value indicating an error associated with a particular monitored module, causing an action to be performed at the system.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a counter event at a system monitor of a system;

in response to detecting the counter event, checking a state of each flag of a first set of flags, wherein each of the first set of flags is associated with a monitored module of the system, and wherein the state of each of the first set of flags is indicated by a value at a memory location that is enabled; and

in response to determining that at least one flag of the first set of flags has a value indicating an error associated with a particular monitored module, causing an action to be performed at the system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a particular memory location associated with the first set of flags includes a dedicated register.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a particular memory location associated with the first set of flags is enabled in response to a signal from a corresponding monitored module.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the system includes or is included within an implantable medical device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the action comprises disabling therapy provided by the implantable medical device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the system monitor includes a counter that is configured to decrement a count value from a starting value to an ending value and the counter event is detected in response to the count value reaching the ending value.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

resetting each of the first set of flags to a particular value indicating a not-SET state after checking the state of each flag of the first set of flags; and

resetting the counter to the starting value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the system monitor includes a counter that is configured to decrement a count value from a starting value to an ending value, wherein the counter event is detected in response to the count value reaching a predetermined value that is between the starting value and the ending value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises sending a reset signal to the particular module, setting an interrupt on at least one module, or both.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the system monitor includes a first counter that is configured to decrement a first count from a first starting value to a first ending value and the counter event is detected in response to the first count reaching a first particular value, and further comprising:

detecting a second counter event at the system monitor, wherein the system monitor includes a second counter that is configured to decrement a second count from a second starting value to a second ending value and the second counter event is detected in response to the second count reaching a second particular value; and

in response to detecting the second counter event, checking a state of each flag of a second set of flags, wherein the first set of flags is distinct from the second set of flags.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second counter is initiated in response to detecting the counter event.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first starting value is different from the second starting value.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the counter and the second counter operate concurrently.

14. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

detecting a counter event at a system monitor of a system;

in response to detecting the counter event, checking a state of each flag of a first set of flags, wherein each of the first set of flags is associated with a monitored module of the system, and wherein the state of each of the first set of flags is indicated by a value at a memory location that is enabled; and

in response to determining that at least one flag of the first set of flags has a value indicating an error associated with a particular monitored module, causing an action to be performed at the system.

15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:

causing the monitored module to provide an enable signal to the memory location; and

causing the monitored module to store a SET value at the memory location when no error is detected during execution of the monitored module.

16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 14, wherein the system includes or is included within an implantable medical device, and wherein the action comprises disabling therapy provided to a patient via the implantable medical device.

17. A system monitor comprising:

circuitry configured to detect a counter event at a system monitor;

circuitry configured to, in response to detecting the counter event, check a state of each flag of a first set of flags, wherein each of the first set of flags is associated with a monitored module, and wherein the state of each of the first set of flags is indicated by a value at a memory location that is enabled; and

circuitry configured to, in response to determining that at least one flag of the first set of flags has a value indicating an error associated with a particular monitored module, cause an action to be performed.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising at least one dedicated register including the memory location, wherein the memory location is enabled in response to a signal from the monitored module.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the system includes or is included within an implantable medical device and the action comprises disabling therapy provided to a patient via the implantable medical device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the therapy is provided by a module that is distinct from the particular monitored module associated with the error.