Remote control of implantable device through medical implant communication service band

• US 9,775,532 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Alt, Eckhard, Brinkmann, John Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes, Rex R
• Application Number:
  US11/852,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20070299349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,676 Days
• Field of Search: 607 30- 32, 607 57, 607 60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• 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 1/36521 the parameter being derived from measurement of an electrical impedance

Abstract

A system and method for communicating data and signals through the Medical Implant Communication Service Band using a repeater or base station in the proximity to an implantable device within a patient is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable for early detection and monitoring of congestive heart failure in a patient. Impedance measurements, or other health parameters depending on the type of implantable device or sensor used, are sent using a bi-directional low-power radio operating in the MICS band to a nearby base station which may provide signal processing and analysis. The base station may have an interface to one or more communications networks to connect to a remote location. The system and method of the present invention permits a healthcare professional to monitor an ambulatory patient'"'"'s condition at a remote location and to program the implanted device.

Claims

1. A device-implemented method of detecting and monitoring an event indicative of congestive heart failure in a patient, comprising:

implanting the device on a lower left anterior lateral hemithorax of the patient;

performing ongoing measurements of impedance of a portion of the patient'"'"'s body generally occupied by the lungs, said measurements of impedance being indicative, at least in part, of said event indicative of congestive heart failure;

transmitting transmissions including said measurements of impedance to a base station at a transmission time being based, at least in part, on an occurrence of the event indicative of congestive heart failure using a radio transmitter; and

sending data relating to said measurements of impedance from the base station to a remote location via a telecommunications network.