System and method of communicating between an implantable medical device and a remote computer system or health care provider

• US 20020082665A1
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosellini Scientific Benelux SPRL
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ferek-Petric, Bozidar, Donders, Adrianus P., Haller, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 6,804,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A medical information communication system and corresponding methods are described. The system permits monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient, or remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD. The IMD is capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient'"'"'s body. The system may comprise the IMD, the communication module and/or a mobile telephone and/or a PDA, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication, where the communication module, the mobile telephone and/or the PDA are capable of receiving information from the IMD or relaying information thereto.

Claims

23-1. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication module further comprises means for defecting a fault in the operation or circuitry of the IMD.

28. A communication system for at least one of monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of bi-directional communication with at least one of a mobile telephone and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located external to the patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:

(a) the IMD;

(b) the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA being capable of receiving information from or relaying information to the IMD;

(c) a remote computer system, and

(d) a communication system capable of bidirectional communication with the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA.

55. A communication module for use in a system for at least one of monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module located external to the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the system comprises the IMD, the communication module, a mobile telephone capable of being operably connected to the communication module and capable of receiving information therefrom or relaying information thereto, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication with the mobile phone and the remote computer system.

56. At least one of a mobile telephone and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) for use in a system for at least one of monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of bi-directional communication with the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA located external to the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the system comprises the IMD, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA being capable of receiving information from or relaying information to the IMD, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication with the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA.

57. A method of communicating information between an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient and a remote computer system, the method utilizing a system for at least one of monitoring the performance of the IMD, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module located external to the patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising the IMD, the communication module, a mobile telephone capable of being operably connected to the communication module and capable of receiving information therefrom or relaying information thereto, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication with the mobile phone and the remote computer system, the method comprising:

(a) the patient or the IMD determining that medical attention should be provided;

(b) uploading data from the IMD to the communication module;

(c) transferring the data from the communication module to the mobile telephone and thence on to the remote computer system via the communication system;

(d) remotely analyzing the data;

(e) determining on the basis of the analyzed data whether remedial action respecting at least one of the IMD and the patient is required, and

(f) remotely executing the determined remedial action via the communication system.

58. A method of communicating information between an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient and a remote computer system, the method utilizing a system for at least one of monitoring the performance of the IMD, monitoring the health of the patient and remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD, the IMD being capable of bi-directional communication with at least one of a mobile telephone and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located external to the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the system comprises the IMD, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA, the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA being capable of receiving information from or relaying information to the IMD, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bidirectional communication with the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA the method comprising:

(a) the patient or the IMD determining that medical attention should be provided;

(b) uploading data from the IMD to the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA communication module;

(c) transferring the data from the at least one of the mobile telephone and the PDA to the remote computer system via the communication system;

(d) remotely analyzing the data;

(e) determining on the basis of the analyzed data whether remedial action respecting at least one of the IMD and the patient is required, and

(f) remotely executing the determined remedial action via the communication system.