Communications system for an implantable medical device and a delivery device

• US 8,002,700 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ferek-Petric, Bozidar, Warkentin, Dwight H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao; Sam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rajan; Kai
• Application Number:
  US10/631,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20040077995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,945 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 128903-905, 128/920
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14208 with a programmable infusion control system, characterised by the infusion program
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/00 Measuring parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/142 Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1684 by detecting the amount of infusate remaining, e.g. signalling end of infusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A closed loop system for monitoring drug dose, intake and effectiveness includes a drug delivery device in data communications with at least one implantable medical device. The system is preferably implemented in a web-enabled environment in which a remote data center communicates with the implantable devices (IMDs) in a patient via a programmer or the pill dispenser. A physician, clinician, or other user may access the remote data center to review and monitor the IMDs or the drug delivery regime remotely. The system further provides a dynamic drug management system, compatible with a web-enabled interactive data communication environment that accurately monitors dose and specific drug effectiveness in a patient to enhance patient care.

Claims

1. An interactive remote drug dose and physiologic response monitoring system in a patient under a prescriptive regimen to take a drug comprising:

a drug delivery device; and

an implantable medical device (IMD) in wireless communication with the drug delivery device, the IMD having means for receiving, from the drug delivery device, a communication indicating administration of a drug by the drug delivery device in compliance with a prescriptive regimen,

wherein the IMD is configured to modify at least one therapy delivered by the IMD based on the communication indicating administration of the drug by the drug delivery device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery device is chosen from one of the following:

a pill box, a transdermal patch, a IV, an inhaler, an oral medicament dispenser, a subcutaneous implant, or a drug pump, or a transcutaneous application.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the IMD checks drug interaction in the patient subsequent to the administration of the drug.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the IMD determines at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:

drug intake by the patient in compliance with the prescriptive regimen;

a dosage of the drug administered by the drug delivery device; and

an impact of administration of the drug on the IMD.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for logging monitored parameters of the drug delivery device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the drug delivery device includes a pill dispenser.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the IMD determines at least one parameter of the drug delivery device selected from the group consisting of:

a number of pills in the pill dispenser;

a number of pills taken by the patient via the pill dispenser; and

a dosage of the drug taken by the patient from the pill dispenser.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the IMD is one of a neurostimulator or a cardiac stimulator.

9. A drug delivery monitoring system comprising:

means for monitoring parameters of a drug delivery device;

means for communicating the monitored parameters with an implantable medical device (IMD);

means for processing the monitored parameters; and

means for controlling a therapy delivered by the IMD based upon the monitored parameters of the drug delivery device.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for sensing physiological parameters through the IMD;

means for processing the sensed physiological parameters relative to a drug delivered by the drug delivery device; and

means for controlling the drug delivery device in response to the processing of the sensed physiological parameters.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for communicating monitored parameters with an IMD is included in the drug delivery device.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for communicating communicates directly with the IMD.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an intermediary device, wherein the means for communicating communicates the monitored parameters with the IMD via the intermediary device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for processing the monitored parameters is included in the intermediary device.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for processing the monitored parameters is included in the IMD.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for processing the monitored parameters is included in the means for communicating.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for processing the monitored parameters is remote from the IMD.

18. An implantable medical device comprising:

a controller for controlling cardiac therapy parameters; and

one or more electrodes for delivering electrical stimulation to cardiac tissue and monitoring physiologic parameters of the tissue;

wherein the controller receives the parameters from the one or more electrodes and information from a drug delivery device, the information identifying whether an expected drug therapy is delivered, wherein the controller varies the cardiac therapy delivery through the one or more electrodes based upon the parameters and the information.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the delivery device includes at least one drug delivery device selected from the group consisting of:

a pill dispenser;

a transdermal patch;

an IV;

an inhaler;

an oral medicament dispenser;

a subcutaneous implant;

a drug pump; and

a transcutaneous application.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the information identifying whether an expected drug therapy is delivered includes information selected from the group consisting of:

information identifying drug intake by a patient;

information identifying whether the expected drug therapy is delivered by the drug delivery device; and

information identifying dosage of a drug delivered by the drug delivery device.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein the expected drug therapy includes delivery of a beta blocker, wherein if the information identifying whether an expected drug therapy is delivered indicates that the therapy was not delivered, the controller adjusts a pacing rate of cardiac therapy delivered through the one or more electrodes.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein the controller varies the cardiac therapy delivery by modifying delivery of electrical stimulation to cardiac tissue.