DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION WITH AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20150250406A1
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Published: 09/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biotronik SE & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Biotronik SE & Company KG
• Inventors: MOSS, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 9,968,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/029 adapted for auto-initiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0252 Load cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0028 Body tissue as transmission medium, i.e. transmission systems where the medium is the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient

Abstract

A device, system and method that communicate with at least one implantable medical device (IMD). The device includes a unit and a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. A minimum pressure required for the contact between transmission or reception elements and skin is provided by gravity or by patient interaction with the device. The system includes the at least one IMD, the unit that communicates with the at least one IMD and the device having the at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with the at least one IMD. The method includes the steps of providing a surface having at least one reception or transmission element that communicate with an IMD, and enabling communication upon detection of a minimum pressure on the surface. The communication with the IMD is acoustic or conductive.

Claims

1. A device configured to communicate with an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with the IMD through skin of the patient, wherein said communication unit comprises at least one reception or transmission element configured to contact the skin of the patient,

wherein said at least one reception or transmission element is configured to be integrated in or be part of a surface configured to contact the skin of the patient, and,

wherein said device is further configured to provide a pressure contact between said at least one transmission or reception element and the skin of the patient by gravity or by patient interaction with the device.

2. A system comprising

at least one implantable medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient and

a communication unit configured to communicate with the IMD through skin of the patient,

wherein said communication unit comprises at least one reception or transmission element configured to contact the skin of the patient,

wherein said at least one reception or transmission element is configured to be integrated in or be part of a surface configured to contact the skin of the patient, and,

wherein said device is further configured to provide a pressure contact between said at least one transmission or reception element and the skin of the patient by gravity or by patient interaction with the device

3. A method of communicating with an IMD comprising the steps of:

providing a communication unit configured to communicate with the IMD through skin of the patient,

wherein said communication unit comprises at least one reception or transmission element configured to contact the skin of the patient, and

wherein said at least one reception or transmission element is configured to be integrated in or be part of a surface configured to contact the skin of the patient, and,

providing a pressure contact between said at least one transmission or reception element and the skin of the patient by gravity or by patient interaction with the device.