Distributed network system for use with implantable medical devices
First Claim
1. A system for use with one or more implantable medical devices, each configured for communicating with a network programmer, wherein the network programmers are additionally configured for communicating with a network server through a communication path, the system comprising:
- one or more network programmers each comprising;
a first processor for performing a first set of functions directed to programming an implantable medical device;
a first transceiver for communicating with the implantable medical device in response to those functions; and
a second transceiver for communicating over the communication path; and
a network server located remotely from the network programmers, the network server comprising;
a second processor for performing a second set of functions directed to analyzing information received from the network programmers; and
a third transceiver for receiving information and transmitting the results of analyses to selected network programmers via the communication path and the second transceiver of each respective network programmer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed system of network programmers is described for use with implantable medical devices. The system includes a set of network programmers each having a processor for performing functions directed to programming an implantable medical device and having a transceiver for communicating with the implantable medical device in response to those functions. The system also includes a remotely located network server. The network server has a processor for performing additional functions directed to analyzing information received from the network programmers and to transmitting the results of analyses to selected network programmers. By providing network programmers configured to perform only limited functions in conjunction with a network server, the individual network programmers can be considerably less costly to manufacture and maintain. Yet each of the network programmers can exploit a far greater amount of processing power and access a much larger database of information than a conventional stand-alone programmer. Stored information pertaining to numerous patients is shared among many programmers permitting easy access by the physician. Software updates to the network programmers are easily performed by transmitting new software from the network server to the network programmers. A system of distributed network transtelephonic monitors is also described.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for use with one or more implantable medical devices, each configured for communicating with a network programmer, wherein the network programmers are additionally configured for communicating with a network server through a communication path, the system comprising:
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one or more network programmers each comprising;
a first processor for performing a first set of functions directed to programming an implantable medical device;
a first transceiver for communicating with the implantable medical device in response to those functions; and
a second transceiver for communicating over the communication path; and
a network server located remotely from the network programmers, the network server comprising;
a second processor for performing a second set of functions directed to analyzing information received from the network programmers; and
a third transceiver for receiving information and transmitting the results of analyses to selected network programmers via the communication path and the second transceiver of each respective network programmer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for use with one or more implantable medical devices, each configured for communicating with a network programmer, wherein the network programmers are additionally configured for communicating with a network server through a communication path, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving data signals from the implantable medical device using a network programmer;
transmitting the data signals from the network programmer to a network server;
analyzing the data signals received from the network programmer using the network server and transmitting signals representative of the results of the analysis to the network programmer; and
displaying the results of the analysis using the network programmer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
receiving software programs at the network server, wherein the software programs are configured to enhance the functionality of the network programmers;
transmitting the software programs from the network server to the network programmers; and
reprogramming the network programmers using the software programs.
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19. The method of claim 13, further including the step of:
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generating programming signals for programming the operation of the implantable medical device using the network programmer; and
transmitting the programming signals to the implantable medical device from the network programmer.
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20. A method for programming a plurality of network programmers each having a processor for performing functions directed to programming implantable medical devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving programming software at a network server;
transmitting the programming software to each of the plurality of network programmers from the network server;
reprogramming functionality of each of the network programmers using the programming software received from the network server;
generating programming signals using the programming software for programming the operation of the implantable medical device using the network programmer; and
transmitting the programming signals to the implantable medical device from the network programmer for programming functions of the implantable medical device.
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21. A method for programming a plurality of network transtelephonic monitors, each having a transceiver for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from a remotely-located transtelephonic patient transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving programming software at a network server;
transmitting the programming software to each of the plurality of network transtelephonic monitors from the network server;
reprogramming the functionality of each of the network transtelephonic monitors using the programming software received from the network server; and
processing signals transmitted to and received from the remotely-located transtelephonic patient transmitter using the programming software.
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Specification