Telemetry module with configurable data layer for use with an implantable medical device

• US 6,985,088 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Goetz, Steven M., Spar, Gregory Pat
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US10/099,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20030174066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.07, 607/5, 607/27, 607/30, 607/59, 607/60, 607/32, 600/523
• US Class Current: 340/870.07
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• 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: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/04 Arrangements for synchronous operation

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for configuring an external device so that may communicate with and an implantable medical device in accordance with a desired telemetry protocols. The external device utilizes a telemetry module can be loaded with a protocol driver necessary for communicating with the implantable medical device. Once the desired protocol driver has been installed, the telemetry module and its associated external device, e.g., a physician programmer, are enabled to communicate with the implantable medical device.

Claims

1. A method for configuring an external telemetry unit to enable communication between an external device and an implantable medical device comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying at least one appropriate telemetry protocol for use with the implantable medical device;

(b) loading from memory a protocol driver associated with one of the identified telemetry protocols;

(c) installing the protocol driver within the external telemetry unit; and

(d) initiating telemetric communication between the external telemetry unit and the implantable medical device in accordance with the identified telemetry protocol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of installing the protocol driver includes the steps of:

(i) identifying from the telemetry module already installed protocol drivers; and

(ii) comparing the protocol driver with the already installed protocol drivers to determine whether the protocol driver has already been installed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of installing the protocol driver further includes the step of:

(iii) determining whether the telemetry module can install another protocol driver.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of installing the protocol driver further includes the step of:

(iv) if the telemetry module can install another protocol driver, installing the protocol driver; and

(v) if the telemetry module cannot install another protocol driver, uninstalling an already installed protocol driver and then installing the protocol driver.

5. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.

6. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device comprising in combination:

(a) an external telemetry unit for providing telemetric communication with an implanted device; and

(b) a host device in communication with the external telemetry unit having stored herein an application for use with the implanted medical device and a base module platform software for configuring the telemetry unit with a protocol driver to operate with an appropriate telemetry protocol.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the host device is a physician programmer.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the host device is a patient programmer.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the host device is a general-purpose computing device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the general-purpose computing device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop computer, and a hand-held device.

11. A configurable telemetry unit for communicating with an implantable medical device comprising in combination:

(a) a host interface for receiving a protocol driver to enable communication with the implantable medical device in accordance with a telemetry protocol recognized by the implantable medical device;

(b) an operating system for performing secondary operations for installing the protocol driver;

(c) an antenna for transferring signals to and from the implantable medical device via telemetry; and

(d) a protocol driver interface for receiving a signal from the protocol driver, generating a transmit signal having parameters specified by the protocol driver, and providing the transmit signal to the antenna.