Mitigating implantable device power drain associated with stalled telemetry sessions

• US 10,124,182 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2017
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kivi, Gary P., Wine, Nicholas C., Yoder, Matthew R., Zhang, Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Zhen Y
• Application Number:
  US15/471,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20180243577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 34087002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36 for stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36062 Spinal stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37276 characterised by means for reducing power consumption during telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3962 in combination with another heart therapy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0888 Throughput
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/02 : Automatically-operated arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 : Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/38 : triggered by timers

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media that mitigate implantable medical device (IMD) power drain associated with stalled telemetry sessions are provided. In one embodiment, an IMD includes a housing configured to be implanted within a patient, a memory and a processor that executes executable components stored in the memory. The executable components include a communication component configured to receive a communication request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the IMD and the external device. The communication request can comprise a request for data. The executable components can also comprise a throughput monitoring component configured to monitor uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the IMD to the external device via the telemetry communication link based on reception of the communication request. The communication component is configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device configured to be at least partially implanted within a patient, comprising:

a housing configured to be implanted at least partially within the patient;

a memory, within the housing, that stores executable components; and

circuitry, within the housing, and configured to at least one of obtain information regarding a sensed physiological characteristic associated with the patient or deliver a therapy to the patient;

a processor, within the housing, that executes the executable components stored in the memory, wherein the executable components comprise;

a communication component configured to receive a communication request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the implantable medical device and the external device, wherein the communication request comprises a request for data from the implantable medical device; and

a throughput monitoring component configured to monitor uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the communication component is further configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, wherein monitoring uplink throughput comprises determining a rate of successful message delivery associated with the transmission of the data, wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the communication request.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the uplink throughput based on a number of application data packets comprising the data that are transmitted by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link per connection interval.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the uplink throughput based on time delays between successful transmissions of data packets comprising the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the data comprises a first type of data and wherein the uplink throughput comprises first uplink throughput, and wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to monitor the first uplink throughput independently from second uplink throughput associated with transmission of a second type of data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the second uplink throughput comprises a second rate of successful message delivery associated with the transmission of the second type of data.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the communication component is further configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below the threshold value for a defined period of time following reception of the communication request.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 5, wherein the defined period of time varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the communication request.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the data comprises transmission of one or more data packets comprising the data, and wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the uplink throughput based on whether the communication component receives one or more acknowledgment messages from the external device that indicate the external device received the one or more data packets.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the data comprises transmission of one or more data packets comprising the data, and wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the uplink throughput based on timing of reception, by the communication component, of one or more acknowledgment messages from the external device that indicate the external device received the one or more data packets.

9. A device, comprising:

a memory that stores executable components; and

a processor that executes the executable components stored in the memory, wherein the executable components comprise;

a communication component configured to transmit data to an implantable medical device via a telemetry communication link established between the device and the implantable medical device; and

a throughput monitoring component configured to monitor uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the device to the implantable medical device, wherein monitoring the first uplink throughput comprises determining a data rate associated with how quickly the data is transmitted, and wherein the communication component is further configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, and wherein the device is external to the implantable medical device, wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of the data.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the uplink throughput based on number of application data packets comprising the data that are successfully transmitted by the device per connection interval.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the uplink throughput based on time delays between successful transmissions of data packets comprising the data by the device.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the communication component is further configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below the threshold value for a defined period of time following establishment of the telemetry communication link.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the defined period of time varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with establishment of the telemetry communication link.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an implantable medical device comprising a processor, a data request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the implantable medical device and the external device, wherein the data request comprises a request for data from the implantable medical device;

monitoring, by the implantable medical device, uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the monitoring uplink throughput comprises determining a rate of successful message delivery of the data; and

terminating, by the implantable medical device, the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the communication request.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the monitoring the uplink throughput comprises determining the uplink throughput based on number of application data packets comprising the data that are successfully transmitted by the implantable medical device per connection interval.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the monitoring the uplink throughput comprises determining the uplink throughput based on time delays between successful transmissions of data packets comprising the data by the implantable medical device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring the uplink throughput associated with the transmission of the data based on a type of the data.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the terminating comprises terminating the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below the threshold value for a defined period of time following reception of the data request.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the defined period of time varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the data request.

20. A system, comprising:

an external device, and

an implantable medical device configured to be at least partially implanted within a patient, comprising;

a first memory that stores first executable components; and

a first processor that executes the first executable components stored in the first memory, wherein the first executable components comprise;

a first communication component configured to establish a secure telemetry connection with the external device based on reception of a connection request from the external device; and

a first throughput monitoring component configured to monitor first uplink throughput associated with transmission of first data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the secure telemetry connection, and wherein the first communication component is further configured to terminate the secure telemetry connection based on a first determination, by the first throughput monitoring component, that the first uplink throughput is below a threshold value, wherein monitoring the first uplink throughput comprises determining a data rate associated with how quickly the data is transmitted, and wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the communication request.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the first uplink throughput based on a number of application data packets comprising the first data that are successfully transmitted by the implantable medical device to the external device via the secure telemetry connection per connection interval.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the first throughput monitoring component is configured to determine the first uplink throughput based on time delays between successful transmissions of data packets comprising the first data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the secure telemetry connection per connection interval.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the first data comprises a first type of data and wherein, and wherein the first throughput monitoring component is configured to monitor the first uplink throughput independently from second uplink throughput associated with transmission of a second type of data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the secure telemetry connection.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the external device comprises:

a second memory that stores second executable components; and

a second processor that executes the second executable components stored in the second memory, wherein the second executable components comprise;

a second throughput monitoring component configured to monitor second uplink throughput associated with transmission of second data by the external device to the implantable medical device via the secure telemetry connection; and

a second communication component configured to terminate the secure telemetry connection based on a second determination, by the second throughput monitoring component, that the second uplink throughput is below the threshold value.

25. An implantable medical device configured to be at least partially implanted within a patient, comprising:

a housing configured to be implanted at least partially within the patient;

a memory, within the housing, that stores executable components; and

circuitry, within the housing, and configured to at least one of obtain information regarding a sensed physiological characteristic associated with the patient or deliver a therapy to the patient;

a processor, within the housing, that executes the executable components stored in the memory, wherein the executable components comprise;

a communication component configured to receive a communication request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the implantable medical device and the external device, wherein the communication request comprises a request for data from the implantable medical device; and

a throughput monitoring component configured to monitor uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the communication component is further configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, wherein monitoring uplink throughput comprises determining a rate of successful message delivery associated with the transmission of the data, wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of the data.

26. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an implantable medical device comprising a processor, a data request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the implantable medical device and the external device, wherein the data request comprises a request for data from the implantable medical device;

monitoring, by the implantable medical device, uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the monitoring uplink throughput comprises determining a rate of successful message delivery of the data; and

terminating, by the implantable medical device, the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of the data.

27. A system, comprising:

an external device, and

an implantable medical device configured to be at least partially implanted within a patient, comprising;

a first memory that stores first executable components; and

a first processor that executes the first executable components stored in the first memory, wherein the first executable components comprise;

a first communication component configured to establish a secure telemetry connection with the external device based on reception of a connection request from the external device; and

a first throughput monitoring component configured to monitor first uplink throughput associated with transmission of first data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the secure telemetry connection, and wherein the first communication component is further configured to terminate the secure telemetry connection based on a first determination, by the first throughput monitoring component, that the first uplink throughput is below a threshold value, wherein monitoring the first uplink throughput comprises determining a data rate associated with how quickly the data is transmitted, and wherein the threshold value varies based on a type of the first data.

28. An implantable medical device configured to be at least partially implanted within a patient, comprising:

a housing configured to be implanted at least partially within the patient;

a memory, within the housing, that stores executable components; and

circuitry, within the housing, and configured to at least one of obtain information regarding a sensed physiological characteristic associated with the patient or deliver a therapy to the patient;

a processor, within the housing, that executes the executable components stored in the memory, wherein the executable components comprise;

a communication component configured to;

receive a communication request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the implantable medical device and the external device, wherein the communication request comprises a request for data from the implantable medical device; and

terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below the threshold value for a defined period of time following reception of the communication request, wherein the defined period of time varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the communication request; and

a throughput monitoring component configured to monitor uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the communication component is further configured to terminate the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, wherein monitoring uplink throughput comprises determining a rate of successful message delivery associated with the transmission of the data.

29. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an implantable medical device comprising a processor, a data request from an external device via a telemetry communication link established between the implantable medical device and the external device, wherein the data request comprises a request for data from the implantable medical device;

monitoring, by the implantable medical device, uplink throughput associated with transmission of the data by the implantable medical device to the external device via the telemetry communication link, wherein the monitoring uplink throughput comprises determining a rate of successful message delivery of the data; and

terminating, by the implantable medical device, the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below a threshold value, wherein the terminating comprises terminating the telemetry communication link based on the uplink throughput being below the threshold value for a defined period of time following reception of the data request, and wherein the defined period of time varies based on a type of telemetry session associated with the data request.