Systems, devices, components and methods for communicating with an IMD using a portable electronic device and a mobile computing device

• US 9,596,224 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2014
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirtec Medical Corp.
• Original Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
• Inventors: Woods, Thomas F., Kaula, Norbert, Iyassu, Yohannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Pwu, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corum, Jr., William
• Application Number:
  US14/245,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20140304773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

The present disclosure involves a method of communicating with an implantable medical device. An authentication process is performed to verify an identity of a user of a mobile computing device. A request is received from the user to access an implantable medical device via the mobile computing device. Based on the identity of the user, a first user interface suitable for the user is selected from a plurality of user interfaces that are each configured to control an implantable medical device. The plurality of user interfaces have different visual characteristics and different levels of access to the implantable medical device. The first user interface is displayed on the mobile computing device.

Claims

1. A medical system, comprising:

an implantable medical device;

a mobile computing device, the mobile computing device including a screen, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to display on the screen;

in response to an authentication of a first user, a first user interface for controlling the implantable medical device based on one or more first commands received from the first user, the first user interface mimicking a user interface of a patient programmer device; and

in response to an authentication of a second user, a second user interface for controlling the implantable medical device based on one or more second commands received from the second user, the second user interface mimicking a user interface of a clinician programmer device having a greater number of programming options than the patient programmer device and offers a greater level of access to the implantable medical device than the patient programmer device, wherein the first user interface and the second user interface have different visual appearances; and

a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device includes;

a first communications component configured to conduct telecommunications with the implantable medical device under a first communications protocol; and

a second communications component configured to conduct telecommunications with the mobile computing device under a second communications protocol different from the first communications protocol;

and wherein the portable electronic device is configured to;

perform a safety control inspection on the one or more first commands or second commands; and

use the first and second communications components to relay the one or more first commands or the one or more second commands to the implantable medical device in response to the one or more first commands or second commands passing the safety control inspection.

2. The medical system of claim 1, wherein:

the implantable medical device includes a neurostimulator configured to generate electrical pulses as a part of an electrical stimulation therapy;

the first user interface, by mimicking the user interface of the patient programmer, is configured to adjust an amplitude of the electrical pulses and to turn on and off the electrical stimulation therapy; and

the second user interface, by mimicking the user interface of the clinician programmer, is configured to create a pain map or a stimulation map on a human body model.

3. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device has a form factor that is configured for direct attachment with the mobile computing device.

4. The medical system of claim 3, wherein the form factor of the portable electronic device is one of:

a dongle and a case.

5. The medical system of claim 3, wherein the portable electronic device further includes a battery configured to provide an electrical charge to the mobile computing device.

6. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device further comprises:

a memory storage configured to store computer instructions; and

one or more electronic processors configured to execute the computer instructions to cause the mobile computing device to perform a plurality of different tasks, one of the tasks being the authentication of the first user or the second user;

and wherein the authentication includes one of;

a password-based authentication and a biometric-scan-based authentication.

7. The medical system of claim 6, wherein the mobile computing device includes a mechanism configured to perform a biometric scan of the first user or the second user.

8. The medical system of claim 6, wherein the computer instructions stored on the memory storage includes a software application that, when executed by the one or more electronic processors, causes the screen to display one of:

the first user interface and the second user interface.

9. The medical system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wearable medical device configured to be worn by a patient;

wherein;

the wearable medical device includes one or more sensors each configured to collect physiological data from the patient;

the wearable medical device includes a communications device configured to conduct telecommunications with at least one of;

the portable electronic device and the mobile computing device; and

the wearable medical device is configured to send, at least in part via the communications device, the physiological data collected from the patient to one of;

the portable electronic device and the mobile computing device.

10. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the mobile computing device is configured to generate an alert in response to the physiological data received from the wearable medical device.

11. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device includes one of:

a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, an implantable cardiac signal monitor, an implantable loop recorder, an implantable spinal cord stimulator, an implantable pelvic nerve stimulator, an implantable peripheral nerve stimulator, an implantable brain stimulator, and a gastric system stimulator.

12. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the mobile computing device includes a smart phone or a tablet computer.

13. A portable electronic apparatus for facilitating communication between an implantable medical device and a mobile computing device, the portable electronic apparatus comprising:

a first communications component configured to conduct telecommunications with the implantable medical device under a first communications protocol;

a second communications component configured to conduct telecommunications with the mobile computing device under a second communications protocol different from the first communications protocol;

a memory component configured to store programming instructions; and

a processor component configured to execute the programming instructions to perform the following steps;

selecting, based on an authentication of a first user, a first user interface for controlling the implantable medical device, wherein the first user interface mimics a user interface of a patient programmer device;

selecting, based on an authentication of a second user, a second user interface for controlling the implantable medical device, wherein the second user interface mimics a user interface of a clinician programmer device having a greater number of programming options than the patient programmer device and provides a greater level of access to the implantable medical device than the patient programmer;

receiving a request to transmit data from the mobile computing device to the implantable medical device;

performing a safety inspection on the data that is requested to be transmitted; and

denying the request to transmit the data in response to a failure of the safety inspection.

14. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the steps further comprise:

instructing the mobile computing device to display the first user interface or the second user interface on a screen of the mobile computing device.

15. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the steps further comprises transmitting, to the mobile computing device, at least in part via the second communications component, information for displaying the first user interface or the second user interface on a screen of the mobile computing device.

16. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein:

the implantable medical device includes a neurostimulator configured to generate electrical pulses as a part of an electrical stimulation therapy;

the first user interface, by mimicking the user interface of the patient programmer, is configured to adjust an amplitude of the electrical pulses and to turn on and off the electrical stimulation therapy; and

the second user interface, by mimicking the user interface of the clinician programmer, is configured to create a pain map or a stimulation map on a human body model.

17. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the steps further comprise:

receiving, via the first communications component, data from the mobile computing device under the first communications protocol, wherein the data contains commands entered through the first or second user interface for controlling the implantable medical device;

repackaging, via the processor component, the received data into a format suitable for communication under the second communications protocol; and

sending, via the second communications component, the repackaged data to the implantable medical device under the second communications protocol.

18. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the portable electronic apparatus has a form factor that is configured for direct attachment with the mobile computing device.

19. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 18, wherein the form factor of the portable electronic apparatus is one of:

a dongle and a case.

20. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 18, wherein the portable electronic apparatus further includes a battery configured to provide an electrical charge to the mobile computing device.

21. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is configured to be electrically coupled to, and receive power from, a household power outlet.

22. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the portable electronic apparatus further comprises a communications interface configured to acquire a passcode or biometric data from a user.

23. The portable electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is further configured to:

forward to the mobile computing device, via the first and second communications components, physiological data of a patient gathered by a wearable medical device.

24. A method of communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising:

performing an authentication process to verify an identity of a user of a mobile computing device;

receiving a request from the user to access an implantable medical device via the mobile computing device, wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving data from the mobile computing device under a first communications protocol, wherein the data contains commands entered through the first user interface for controlling the implantable medical device;

repackaging the received data into a format suitable for a second communications protocol that is different from the first communications protocol;

sending the repackaged data to the implantable medical device under the second communications protocol;

selecting, based on the identity of the user, a first user interface suitable for the user from a plurality of user interfaces that are each configured to control an implantable medical device, wherein the plurality of user interfaces includes at least a user interface mimicking a user interface of a patient programmer device and a user interface mimicking a user interface of a clinician programmer device, wherein the clinician programmer device has a greater number of programming options than the patient programmer device and provides a greater level of access to the implantable medical device than the patient programmer device;

displaying the first user interface on the mobile computing device;

receiving a request from the mobile computing device to transmit data to the implantable medical device;

performing a safety inspection on the data; and

preventing a transmission of the data in response to a failure of the safety inspection.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the performing, the receiving, the selecting, and the displaying are performed by a software application installed on the mobile computing device, wherein the method further comprises:

offering the software application for download and installation on the mobile computing device.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein at least the receiving of the data, the repackaging of the data, and the sending of the repackaged data are performed by a portable electronic device communicatively coupled to the mobile computing device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the portable electronic device includes:

a first transceiver configured to perform the receiving of the data under the first communications protocol;

a processor configured to perform the repackaging of the data; and

a second transceiver configured to perform the sending of the data under the second communications protocol.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the portable electronic device has a form factor that is one of:

a dongle and a case that each allow the portable electronic device to be directly attached to the mobile computing device.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the portable electronic device includes a battery, and wherein the method further comprises:

charging the mobile computing device via the battery of the portable electronic device.

30. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

performing a further authentication process to verify an identity of a further user of a mobile computing device;

receiving a request from the further user to access the implantable medical device via the mobile computing device;

selecting, based on the identity of the further user, a second user interface suitable for the further user from the plurality of user interfaces, wherein the second user interface is configured to offer the further user a more advanced level of access to the implantable medical device compared to the first user interface; and

displaying the second user interface on the mobile computing device.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein the authentication process comprises a password-based authentication or a biometric-scan-based authentication.

32. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

receiving physiological data from a wearable medical device worn by a patient; and

communicating an alert in response to the received physiological data.

33. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:

performing an authentication process to verify an identity of a user of a mobile computing device;

receiving a request from the user to access an implantable medical device via the mobile computing device, wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving data from the mobile computing device under a first communications protocol, wherein the data contains commands entered through the first user interface for controlling the implantable medical device;

repackaging the received data into a format suitable for a second communications protocol that is different from the first communications protocol;

sending the repackaged data to the implantable medical device under the second communications protocol;

selecting, based on the identity of the user, a first user interface suitable for the user from a plurality of user interfaces that are each configured to control an implantable medical device, wherein the plurality of user interfaces includes at least a user interface mimicking a user interface of a patient programmer device and a user interface mimicking a user interface of a clinician programmer device, wherein the clinician programmer device has a greater number of programming options than the patient programmer device and provides a greater level of access to the implantable medical device than the patient programmer device;

displaying the first user interface on the mobile computing device;

receiving a request from the mobile computing device to transmit data to the implantable medical device;

performing a safety inspection on an electronic communication received from the mobile computing device on response to a request from the mobile computing device to transmit the electronic communication to the implantable medical device; and

preventing a transmission of the electronic communication in response to a failure of the safety inspection.

34. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 33, wherein the steps further comprise:

performing a further authentication process to verify an identity of a further user of a mobile computing device;

receiving a request from the further user to access the implantable medical device via the mobile computing device;

selecting, based on the identity of the further user, a second user interface suitable for the further user from the plurality of user interfaces, wherein the second user interface is configured to offer the further user a more advanced level of access to the implantable medical device than the first user interface; and

displaying the second user interface on the mobile computing device.

35. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 33, wherein the authentication process comprises a password-based authentication or a biometric-scan-based authentication.

36. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 33, wherein the steps further comprise:

receiving physiological data from a wearable medical device worn by a patient; and

communicating an alert in response to the received physiological data.