Component architecture for medical device system networks

• US 7,076,520 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Stomberg, Charles R., Nelson, Chester G., Farr, John B., Johnson, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chankong, Dohm
• Application Number:
  US09/844,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 607/59, 607/30, 128/920
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A component-based software architecture environment is provided for information networks used for administering one or more implantable medical devices (IMDs) in one or more patients. Various interface schema which may be used in implementing an IMD network are provided, as well as common interfaces for development of software within the network environment. The information network, and the software used in and implementing the network, may be upgraded and developed in a distributed and incremental manner, without requiring modification of entire systems or device instructions.

Claims

1. A computerized component architecture for medical device systems, comprising:

a body of software components having standardized software interfaces to medical device interface instruments and implantable medical devices (IMDs); and

at least one hardware module capable of executing the software components, with the at least one hardware module being deployable to multiple types of medical device interface instruments;

said hardware module having means for communication with a data communications network, and with a medical device external to the hardware module, wherein said medical device interface instruments include the group consisting of;

medical device programmers, medical device communication extenders, medical device system analyzers, and medical device monitors.

2. The computerized component architecture for medical device systems of claim 1, wherein at least one hardware module has processing and telemetry capabilities.

3. The computerized component architecture for medical device systems of claim 1, wherein at least one hardware module is installed within an interface instrument, to which it is deployable.

4. The computerized component architecture for medical device systems of claim 1, wherein the component software architecture is optimized to be executed on the hardware module.