Method and apparatus for establishing context among events and optimizing implanted medical device performance

• US 8,694,116 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: KenKnight, Bruce H., Lovett, Eric G., Sweeney, Robert J., Mazar, Scott T., Manicka, Yatheendhar D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEHRINGER, LUTHER G
• Application Number:
  US13/447,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 607/32, 607/60
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for adjusting the performance of an implanted device based on data including contextual information. Contextual information, including operational and performance data concerning the implanted device as well as the patient with the implanted device, is stored by a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device is adapted for battery operation and includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The portable electronic device is adapted for use as an interface to conduct wireless communications with the implanted device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device interfaces with a clinical programmer for use by a physician.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an implantable medical device (MD) configured for implantation in a patient;

an implantable wireless transmitter coupled to the IMD;

a wireless receiver configured to communicate with the implantable wireless transmitter;

a portable electronic device (FED) coupled to the wireless receiver, the PED configured to receive and store data from the IMD and to receive and store a user input including contextual information indicative of operational performance of the IMD; and

at least one remote device configured to communicate through a network with the PED, wherein the PED and the at least one remote device are configured for use in monitoring patient wellness, monitoring IMD condition and IMD performance, correlating data generated from the user input and the received data from the IMD to form correlated data, and dynamically tailoring the IMD performance using the correlated data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver is incorporated within the PED or is a removable separate module coupled to the PED.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the PED includes:

a display configured to present a query to the user; and

a user input device configured to enable the user to enter a response or to compile contextual information,

wherein the PED is configured to execute a set of instructions to present the query and receive the response or the compiled contextual information.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor external to the IMD, the external sensor including at least one of a physiological sensor associated with the user and an environmental sensor, wherein the external sensor is configured to acquire external sensor data and communicate the external sensor data with the PED.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the PED, or the at least one remote device, or both the at least one remote device and the PED include:

a data processor circuit configured to analyze the user input and the received data from the IMD

and to generate the correlated data using the user input and the received data from the IMD; and

a memory circuit to store the correlated data.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a sensor external to the external sensor including at least one of a physiological sensor associated with the user and configured to sense a physiologic parameter of the user, and an environmental sensor configured to generate ambient environmental data, wherein the external sensor is configured to acquire external sensor data and communicate the external sensor data with the PED, wherein the data processor circuit is further configured to generate the correlated data using the external sensor data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one remote device includes a remote programmer.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of instructions for execution by the PED, wherein the PED, by executing the set of instructions, is configured to:

store the received data from the IMD and the contextual data from the PED;

correlate the received data from the IMD and the contextual data and form the correlated data; and

communicate data to at least one of the IMD and the at least one remote device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the PED is configured to wirelessly communicate data through a wireless communication link.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the PED is configured to update programming of the IMD.

11. A method, comprising:

receiving data from an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient and data from at least one sensor external to the IMD;

receiving a user input to a portable electronic device (PED), the user input including contextual information indicative of operational performance of the IMD;

performing, using a data processor, data analysis and correlating the received data from the IMD and the received user input to form correlated data;

communicating the correlated data with the IMD, or with at least one remote device, or with both the IMD and the at least one remote device; and

monitoring a patient wellness using the PED or the at least one remote device; and

dynamically tailoring programming of the IMD using the correlated data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data from the IMD includes:

data indicative of condition and performance of the IMD; and

one or more physiological signals indicative of patient health and wellness,

wherein receiving the data from the IMD includes using the PED to retrieve the data from the IMD via a wireless communication link.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the user input to the PED includes:

executing, using a processor within the PED, a set of instructions to present a query; and

receiving a response to the query.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the external sensor data includes:

using external sensors to acquire data indicative of a physiological condition or an environmental condition; and

communicating the external sensor data with the PED.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein correlating the received data includes correlating the data at least from the IMD, the user input, or the external sensors, wherein the data processor resides in the PED or the at least one remote device.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein performing data analysis includes generating a data trend indicative of a medical condition.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein performing data analysis includes monitoring IMD condition and IMD performance.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein communicating the correlated data includes wireless communication.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein tailoring programming of the IMD includes:

receiving an instruction to tailor programming of the IMD; and

communicating with the IMD to update the programming of the IMD.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the data from at east one sensor external to the IMD includes temperature data or atmospheric pressure data.