Failsafe programming of implantable medical devices
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving programming signals and stay-alive signals from a programming device at a watchdog unit coupled to the programming device during a programming session between the programming device and an implantable medical device;
resetting a watchdog timer maintained by the watchdog unit in response to receipt of each of the programming signals and the stay-alive signals; and
sending a signal from the watchdog unit to the implantable medical device via wireless telemetry to change a mode of operation of the implantable medical device in response to expiration of the watchdog timer.
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Abstract
A watchdog unit receives stay-alive signals from a programming device during programming of an implantable medical device. The watchdog unit maintains a watchdog timer, and resets the timer upon receipt of each stay-alive signal. If the watchdog timer expires, the watchdog unit changes a mode of operation of the implantable device, e.g., places the implantable medical device into a known, safe state. For example, the watchdog unit may cause the implantable medical device to suspend delivery of therapy, perform a power-on reset, and/or recall a known, safe, therapy delivery program.
30 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving programming signals and stay-alive signals from a programming device at a watchdog unit coupled to the programming device during a programming session between the programming device and an implantable medical device; resetting a watchdog timer maintained by the watchdog unit in response to receipt of each of the programming signals and the stay-alive signals; and sending a signal from the watchdog unit to the implantable medical device via wireless telemetry to change a mode of operation of the implantable medical device in response to expiration of the watchdog timer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A watchdog unit comprising:
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a telemetry circuit; and a processor to receive programming signals and stay-alive signals from a programming device coupled to the watchdog unit during a programming session between the programming device and an implantable medical device, reset a watchdog timer in response to receipt of each of the programming signals and the stay-alive signals, and send a signal to the implantable medical device via the telemetry circuit to change a mode of operation of the implantable medical device in response to expiration of the watchdog timer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a programmable processor to:
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receive programming signals and stay-alive signals at a watchdog unit coupled to a programming device from the programming device during a programming session between the programming device and an implantable medical device; reset a watchdog timer maintained by the watchdog unit in response to receipt of each of the programming signals and the stay-alive signals; and send a signal from the watchdog unit to the implantable medical device via wireless telemetry to change a mode of operation of the implantable medical device in response to expiration of the watchdog timer. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system comprising:
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a programming device; an implantable medical device; and a watchdog unit coupled to the programming device to receive programming signals and stay-alive signals from the programming device during a programming session between the programming device and the implantable medical device, reset a watchdog timer maintained by the watchdog unit in response to receipt of each of the programming signals and the stay-alive signals, and send a signal from the watchdog unit to the implantable medical device via wireless telemetry to change a mode of operation of the implantable medical device in response to expiration of the watchdog timer. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification