Implantable medical device detection

• US 9,549,688 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Zeijlemaker, Volkert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, Bo J
• Application Number:
  US11/379,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,928 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/287 involving active visualization of interventional instruments, e.g. using active tracking RF coils or coils for intentionally creating magnetic field inhomogeneities
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/3692 involving signal transmission without using electrically conductive connections, e.g. wireless communication or optical communication of the MR signal or an auxiliary signal other than the MR signal

Abstract

A detection unit and a method for detecting an implanted medical device in an MRI environment employ a telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an implanted medical device;

an implantable medical device detection unit comprising;

a receiver adapted to receive a telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device;

a signal generator coupled to the receiver; and

a signaling element coupled to the signal generator, wherein the signaling element includes a light,

wherein the signal generator is configured to send a signal to the signaling element, responsive to receipt of the telemetry transmission received from the implanted medical device, to cause the light to illuminate to alert an MRI system operator of the presence of the implanted medical device; and

an MRI system separate from the implantable medical device detection unit, wherein the MRI system is configured to wirelessly communicate with the implantable medical device detection unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signaling element further comprises an audible signaling element that provides an audible alarm alerting the MRI system operator of the presence of the implanted medical device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device detection unit further comprises a transmitter adapted to transmit an activation signal to the implanted medical device thereby activating the telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the activation signal to the implanted medical device prior to activating a scanning procedure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device detection unit further comprises a monitor and wherein a message is displayed on the monitor for an MRI system operator.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the message includes instructions for monitoring the medical device.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the telemetry transmission includes information concerning a manufacturer and a model of the medical device, and the message displayed on the monitor includes the information concerning the manufacturer and model of the medical device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the telemetry transmission includes information concerning programmed parameters of the medical device, and the message displayed on the monitor includes the information concerning the programmed parameters of the medical device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal sent by the signal generator causes the light to flash to alert the MRI system operator that the implanted medical device is present.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal generator is configured to send the signal to the signaling element to indicate the presence of the implanted medical device prior to scanning a patient having the implanted medical device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the MRI system further comprises:

a magnetic field generator;

an electromagnetic radiation source; and

an MRI control unit adapted to alter the function of the MRI system by disabling one of the magnetic field generator or the electromagnetic radiation source in response to a control signal received from the implantable medical device detection unit.

12. A handheld device for detecting presence of an implantable medical device comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive a telemetry transmission from an implanted medical device;

a signal generator coupled to the receiver;

a signaling element coupled to the signal generator, wherein the signaling element includes a light; and

a device housing that encloses the receiver, the signaling element, and the signal generator, and is configured to be handheld,

wherein the signal generator is configured to send a signal to the signaling element, responsive to receipt of the telemetry transmission received from the implanted medical device, to cause the light to illuminate to alert an MRI system operator of the presence of the implanted medical device.

13. The handheld device of claim 12, wherein the signal from the signal generator causes the light to flash to alert the MRI system operator of the presence of the implanted medical device.

14. The handheld device of claim 12, wherein the signaling element further comprises an audible signaling element that provides an audible alarm alerting the MRI system operator of the presence of the implanted medical device.

15. The handheld device of claim 12, further comprising a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit an activation signal to the implanted medical device thereby activating the telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.

16. The handheld device of claim 12, further comprising:

a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit a telemetry transmission to an MRI system; and

a controller, wherein the controller is adapted to control the transmitter to send control signals to the MRI system to alter the function of MRI system in response to receiving the telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.

17. The handheld device of claim 12, further comprising a monitor, wherein the signal generator is configured to display a message on the monitor for an MRI system operator.

18. The handheld device of claim 17, wherein the message includes information concerning programmed parameters of the implantable medical device.

19. The handheld device of claim 17, wherein the message includes information concerning a manufacturer and a model of the implantable medical device.

20. The handheld device of claim 12, wherein the signal generator is configured to send the signal to the signaling element to indicate the presence of the implanted medical device prior to scanning a patient having the implanted medical device.