Portable extender for data transmission within a medical device communication system

• US 7,313,529 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Thompson, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rines, R. David
• Application Number:
  US09/887,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,377 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3, 705/4, 705/8, 705/9, 607/30, 607/32, 607/60, 600/300, 600/513, 370/33, 128/903
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

Apparatus and method for managing chronic home care of patients with one or more implanted medical devices (IMDs) includes a mobile portable device for use by a visiting nurse. Specifically, the portable device integrates various systems to enable the nurse to schedule her day and get directions to a first and subsequent visit destination via a GPS system or equivalent. The portable device includes an identification system including a security protocol to identify the nurse/home health care provider. Additionally, the portable device incorporates a communication system such as a cellular phone that would enable the nurse to connect to other clinical support personnel such as a doctor or a specialist. The portable device further includes a wireless communication system that enables communication between the portable device and one or more IMDs in a patient. Upon arrival at the patient'"'"'s home, the nurse may download data from the one or more IMDs directly into the portable device. This data could in turn be downloaded immediately or later to a remote viewing center via conventional data transmission systems. Other medical data such as blood pressure measurements and vital physiologic signals may be entered into the portable device using a digitizer pen, voice input or equivalent. Similar to the IMD data, this medical data could be transmitted to the remote location from the portable device.

Claims

1. A portable extender adapted for use by a visiting nurse, the extender comprising:

a video camera;

means for establishing a wireless data communication with a medical device implanted in a patient being visiting by the nurse;

means for downloading diagnostic data from the medical device;

means for establishing a wireless data communication with a remote location;

means for downloading secure data corresponding to a treatment and prescription plan for the patient from the remote location;

means for planning and organizing a daily schedule of patient visits for the visiting nurse; and

a touch screen coupled to and providing means for a user to activate the video camera, the means for establishing the wireless data communication with the medical device, the means for establishing a wireless data communication with the remote location, the means for downloading the diagnostic data, the means for downloading the secure data, and the means for planning and organizing a daily schedule of patient visits for the visiting nurse.

2. The extender of claim 1 wherein the extender further comprises a means for transferring video images collected by the video camera to a remote location.

3. The portable extender of claim 1, further comprising a GPS system.

4. The portable extender of claim 1, further comprising means to transfer the diagnostic data to the remote location.

5. The extender of claim 1, further comprising a cell phone including a microphone.

6. The extender of claim 1, further comprising a data storage disk.

7. The extender of claim 1, further comprising means for providing identifying information, via the extender, in order to gain access to the secure data.

8. A portable extender adapted for use by a visiting nurse, the extender comprising:

means for establishing a wireless data communication with a remote location;

means for downloading a patient visit schedule from the remote location;

a video camera for verifying the identity of the visiting nurse;

means for downloading secure data corresponding to a patient treatment and prescription plan from the remote location in response to verifying the identity of the visiting nurse;

means for displaying the patient treatment and prescription plan;

means for establishing a wireless data communication with a medical device implanted in a patient being visited by the nurse;

means for downloading diagnostic data from the medical device; and

a touch screen coupled to and providing means for the nurse to activate the means for establishing the wireless data communication with the remote location, the video camera, the means for downloading the secure data, the means for establishing the wireless data communication with the medical device, and the means for downloading the diagnostic data.

9. A method implemented in a portable extender, comprising:

establishing a wireless data communication with a remote location in response to a touch screen activation by a user;

downloading a patient visit schedule from the remote location in response to establishing the wireless data communication;

verifying the identity of the user using a video camera image acquired by the portable extender;

downloading secure data corresponding to a patient treatment and prescription plan from the remote location in response to verifying the identity;

displaying the patient treatment and prescription plan;

establishing a wireless data communication with a medical device implanted in a patient in response to a touch screen activation by the user; and

downloading diagnostic data from the medical device in response to establishing the wireless data communication.