Network compatible RF wireless link for medical device data management

• US 6,577,901 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Thompson, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/887,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20020013614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 607/30, 607/32, 607/60, 607/16, 607/9, 600/510
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A network compatible RF Wireless Link for Medical Device Data Management includes apparatus for establishing a communication link between an IMD, a patient-worn device, and a remote monitoring station while at the same time minimizing device current drain. The minimal current drain is achieved by scheduling periodic interrogation of the data collected by the IMDs for subsequent transmission to a remote location. Generally, the communication system is implemented to transmit data preferably telemetered from the IMD to a patient-worn device. The data from the patient-worn device is transmitted to a transceiver that sends the data to a remote information network. The patient-worn device may be equipped with a Bluetooth (BT) or Home RF communication system. The transceiver is preferably similarly equipped with BT or Home RF technology having a plurality of nodes. In one aspect of the invention, the patient-worn device would transmit data to the transceiver, which may be connected to a phone line, cellular phone, satellite communication systems, telemetry or equivalent wireless data transmission system. The system provides patient mobility while enabling data transmission and interrogation of one or more implanted medical devices in the patient.

Claims

1. A communications system for implantable medical device (IMD) data management, comprising:

a remote monitoring station;

a patient-worn transponder that wakes from a standby state in response to a telemetry transmission from an implanted medical device;

a communications link between the remote monitoring station and the patient-worn transponder; and

an implantable medical device (IMD) including a data communications subsystem and a control circuit that gathers diagnostic data and stores it until a timer reaches a scheduled countdown whereupon the data communications subsystem is activated to produce a telemetry transmission to the patient-worn transponder.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient-worn transponder includes a communication channel implemented in Bluetooth technology.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the patient-worn transponder includes a communication channel implemented in Home RE (HRF) technology.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the patient-worn transponder includes a memory store data transmitted from the IMD for subsequent transmission to the remote monitoring station.