System and method for remote programming of an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. A system for at least one of monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of simultaneous bi-directional communication with a communication module located external to the patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
- (a) an IMD, the IMD comprising a memory having software loaded therein and means for permitting the software to be at least one of updated and reprogrammed after the IMD has been implanted, and(b) a universal communication module comprising means for at least one of updating and reprogramming at least portions of the software loaded in the IMD, the universal communication module being configured to operate in conjunction with a plurality of different commercially available implantable medical devices originating from different manufacturers and being selectively programmable to communicate with, receive data from, and download data to any of various implantable medical devices;
(c) a mobile telephone operably connected to the universal communication module and capable of receiving software information therefrom or relaying software information thereto;
(d) a remote computer system capable of initiating the downloading of updated or new software to the IMD; and
(e) a communications system comprising a network coupling the remote computer system to the universal communications module via the mobile telephone, wherein the communication system includes means capable of performing simultaneous bi-directional communication with the mobile telephone and the remote computer system and wherein the remote computer system couples to at least one of;
an automatic expert system adapted to render one or more suggested courses of therapeutic action, a clinician, an emergency dispatch facility.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and corresponding system for updating or installing new software loaded into the memory of an implantable medical device(IMD) implanted within a body of a patient is described. The updated or new software may be installed in the memory of the IMD without the patient having to travel to a clinic or hospital, and may be effected by employing modem telecommunication and Internet techniques in conjunction with a remote computer system.
465 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A system for at least one of monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of simultaneous bi-directional communication with a communication module located external to the patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
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(a) an IMD, the IMD comprising a memory having software loaded therein and means for permitting the software to be at least one of updated and reprogrammed after the IMD has been implanted, and (b) a universal communication module comprising means for at least one of updating and reprogramming at least portions of the software loaded in the IMD, the universal communication module being configured to operate in conjunction with a plurality of different commercially available implantable medical devices originating from different manufacturers and being selectively programmable to communicate with, receive data from, and download data to any of various implantable medical devices; (c) a mobile telephone operably connected to the universal communication module and capable of receiving software information therefrom or relaying software information thereto; (d) a remote computer system capable of initiating the downloading of updated or new software to the IMD; and (e) a communications system comprising a network coupling the remote computer system to the universal communications module via the mobile telephone, wherein the communication system includes means capable of performing simultaneous bi-directional communication with the mobile telephone and the remote computer system and wherein the remote computer system couples to at least one of;
an automatic expert system adapted to render one or more suggested courses of therapeutic action, a clinician, an emergency dispatch facility. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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- 17. The system of claim wherein the universal communication module, upon receiving instruction from one of the remote computer system and a remote health care provider, further comprises means for interrogating the IMD to assess the operational performance thereof, upload data therefrom, or assess the health status of the patient.
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29. A communication system for at least one of monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of simultaneous bi-directional communication with at least one of a mobile telephone and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located external to the patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
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(a) an IMD, the IMD comprising a memory having software loaded therein and means for permitting the software to be updated and reprogrammed after the IMD has been implanted within the patient'"'"'s body; (b) at least one of a mobile telephone and a PDA, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA further comprising means for at least one of updating and reprogramming at least portions of the software loaded in the IMD, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA being capable of simultaneously receiving information from and relaying information to the IMD, wherein the updating and programming means is a universal device configured to operate in conjunction with a plurality of different commercially available implantable medical devices originating from different manufacturers and being selectively programmable to communicate with, receive data from, and download data to any of various implantable medical devices; (c) a remote computer system capable of initiating the downloading of updated or new software to the IMD via a communication system and a communication module; and wherein the communication system includes means for performing simultaneous bi-directional communication with the mobile telephone and the PDA and wherein the remote computer system couples to at least one of;
an automatic expert system adapted to render one or more suggested courses of therapeutic action, a clinician, an emergency dispatch facility. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification