Method for externally programming a device implanted in a patient

• US 4,613,937 A
• Filed: 02/22/1984
• Issued: 09/23/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Batty, John R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Application Number:
  US06/582,254
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 364/413, 364/415-417, 128/419 R, 128/419 P, 128/419 PG, 128/419 PS, 128/419 PT, 128/420 R, 128/695-697, 128/903
• US Class Current: 607/31
• 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 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2207/7219 Countermeasures against side channel or fault attacks

Abstract

A process is provided for programming a device implanted in a patient from an external programming unit. A first access signal is transmitted, from an external source to the implant, to enable a computer within the implant to receive a second access signal. A second access signal is transmitted, from the external source to the implant, to enable the computer to receive and store programming signals representing data. The computer is inhibited from storing the programming signals unless both the first access signal and the second access signal have been received in sequence.

Claims

1. In a process for programming a device implanted in a patient from an external programming unit, the improvement comprising the steps of:

transmitting, from an external source to the implanted device, a first digital access signal to enable a computer within the implanted device to receive a second access signal;

transmitting, from the external source to the implanted device, a second digital access signal to enable the computer to receive and store programming signals representing data;

inhibiting the computer from storing programming signals from the programming unit unless both the first access signal and the second access signal have been received in sequence;

transmitting the second access signal at a faster rate than the rate at which the first access signal is transmitted;

if the first and second access signals have been received in sequence, then transmitting from the implanted device indicia that programming may be commenced;

if the implanted device has transmitted indicia that programming may be commenced, then transmitting program data in digital form from the external programming unit to the computer within the implanted device;

if program data has been received by the computer, then transmitting from the implanted device indicia representing the program data that has been received;

if program data has been received by the computer, then activating selected computer output functions in response to said program data; and

if selected functions have been activated, then transmitting from the implanted device verification of such activation.

3. In a process as described in claim 1, wherein said indicia representing the program data that has been received comprises an echo of the program data that has been received.

2. In a process for programming a device implanted in a patient from an external programming unit, the improvement comprising the steps of:

transmitting, from an external source to the implanted device, a first access signal to enable a computer within the implanted device to receive a second access signal;

transmitting, from the external source to the implanted device, a second access signal to enable the computer to receive and store programming signals representing data;

inhibiting the computer from storing programming signals from the programming unit unless both the first access signal and the second access signal have been received in sequence;

if the first and second access signals have been received in sequence, then transmitting from the implanted device indicia that programming may be commenced;

if the implanted device has transmitted indicia that programming may be commenced, then transmitting program data from the external progarmming unit to the computer within the implanted device;

if program data has been received by the computer, then transmitting from the implanted device indicia representing the program data that has been received.

4. In a process as described in claim 2, wherein said external programming unit includes said external source.

5. In a process as described in claim 2, wherein if the implanted device transmits indicia representing the program data that has been received, then transmitting from the external programming unit an activate commane whereby the programming signals will be stored in the computer;

and trnasmitting from the implanted device a verification signal that the programming signals have been stored.

6. In a process for programming a device implanted in a patient from an external programming unit, the improvement comprising the steps of:

transmitting, from an external source to the implanted device, a first digital access signal to enable a computer within the implanted device to receive a second access signal;

transmitting, from the external source to the implanted device, a second digital access signal to enable the computer to receive and store programming signals representing data;

inhibiting the computer from storing programming signals from the programming unit unless both the first access signal and the second access signal have been received in sequence;

transmitting the second access signal at a faster rate than the rate at which the first access signal is transmitted;

if the first and second access signals have been received in sequence, then transmitting from the implanted device to the external programming unit, indicia that programming that may be commenced;

if the implanted device has transmitted indicia that programming may be commenced, then transmitting program data in digital form from the external programming unit to the computer within the implanted device;

if program data has been received by the computer, then transmitting from the implanted device an echo of the program data that has been received;

if the correct echo has been received from the implanted device, then transmitting to the implanted device an activate command whereby the program data will be stored in the computer;

if the activate command has been received by the computer in the implanted device and the program data has been stored, then transmitting from the implanted device a verification signal that the program data has been received and stored.