System and method providing data exchange with a medical device for remote patient care

• US 8,791,815 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2013
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mazar, Scott T., Manicka, Yatheendhar D.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/870,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20130271279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.12
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/747 in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• 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: G16H 50/80 for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines

Abstract

A system for relaying data to a repository from a medical device is disclosed. A receiver is configured to receive data from a medical device, where the data can be an indication of a problem with the medical device. A memory is configured to maintain the data once it has been received. A transmission device is configured to send the data to a data repository over a communication medium. A detector is configured to detect conditions of the communication medium that could affect data exchange and send the data based at least in part on the conditions. A processor is configured to send at least a portion of the data based at least in part on a degree of urgency.

Claims

1. A system for relaying data to a repository from a medical device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive data from a medical device, wherein the data comprises indication of a problem with the medical device;

a memory configured to maintain the data once it has been received;

a transmission device configured to send the data to a data repository over a communication medium; and

a detector configured to detect conditions of the communication medium that could affect data exchange and send the data based at least in part on the conditions,

a processor configured to send at least a portion of the data based at least in part on a degree of urgency.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the problem with the medical device comprises a broken cardiac lead.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission device is configured to send the data to a data repository over a communication medium comprising a telephone line.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the detector is configured to detect conditions of the communication medium that could affect exchange comprising the telephone line being in-use.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive data from the medical device through inductive coupling.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an interface configured to receive the degree of urgency from a user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform analysis of the data to determine the degree of urgency.

8. The system of claim 1, the transmission device configured to send the data to a data repository over a communication medium comprising a wireless communication medium.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is further configured to perform self-diagnostic tests to detect conditions of the communication medium.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an annunciation interface in communication with the processor, wherein the annunciation interface is configured to annunciate warnings to a user.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the data further comprises the identification of a specific condition or episode.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical device comprises a cardiac rhythm management device.

13. A method for relaying data to a repository from a medical device, comprising:

receiving data from a medical device by a receiver, wherein the data comprises indication of a problem with the medical device;

temporarily maintaining received data in a memory;

transmitting at least a portion of the data to a data repository over a communication medium by a transmission device, wherein the data transmission is based at least in part a degree of urgency associated with the data; and

detecting a condition of the communication medium affecting data exchange and stalling data transmission based on the condition.

14. The method of claim 13, detecting a condition of the communication medium comprises detecting whether a telephone line is in-use.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving the data from a medical device comprises inductive coupling.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the degree of urgency from a user.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing analysis of the data to determine the degree of urgency.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication medium is wireless.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing self-diagnostic tests to detect conditions of the communication medium.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising annunciating warnings to a user.