Method and apparatus for enabling data communication between an implantable medical device and a patient management system

• US 20040122488A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Manicka, Yatheendhar D., Mazar, Scott T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and devices for enabling data communication between an IMD and a host computer. In one embodiment, a device is provided that comprises a frequency and protocol agile transceiver capable of communicating with an IMD via a short range communications link and with a host computer via a long range wireless communications link. The transceiver may be utilized by the device to retrieve clinical data stored in the IMD and to transmit the clinical data directly to the host computer via the long range wireless communications link. An apparatus is provided according to another embodiment of the invention that comprises an interface between an IMD and a communications device, such as a wireless telephone or a two-way wireless pager. The interface can communicate directly with the IMD to retrieve clinical data stored in the IMD and can utilize the communications device to transmit the clinical data to a host computer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enabling data communication between an implantable medical device and a host computer, comprising:

a frequency and protocol agile transceiver capable of configuring itself for communication with the implantable medical device via a short range wireless communications link and for communication with the host computer via a long range wireless communications link.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a central processing unit;

a memory; and

a program capable of executing on the central processing unit operative to configure the transceiver for communication with the implantable medical device, to receive clinical data from the implantable medical device, and to store the clinical data in the memory for subsequent delivery to the host computer via the long range wireless communications link.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the program is further operative to:

configure the transceiver for communication with the host computer via the long range wireless communications link;

determine whether clinical data is stored in the memory; and

in response to determining that clinical data is stored in the memory, to establish a data communications channel with the host computer via the long range wireless communications link and to transmit the clinical data to the host computer via the channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the program is further operative to:

determine whether the clinical data was successfully transmitted to the host computer; and

to

remove the clinical data from the memory if the clinical data was successfully transmitted to the host computer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the program is further operative to transmit the clinical data to the host computer on a schedule coordinated with the host computer.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the program is further operative to:

configure the transceiver for communication with the host computer via the long range wireless communications link;

determine whether the clinical data should be immediately delivered to the host computer if the clinical data is stored in the memory; and

in response to determining that the clinical data should be immediately delivered to the host computer, to immediately establish a data communications channel with the host computer via the long range wireless communications link and to transmit the clinical data to the host computer via the channel.

7. A method for enabling data communication between an implantable medical device and a host computer, comprising:

configuring a transceiver for wireless communication with the implantable medical device;

receiving clinical data from the implantable medical device via the transceiver;

configuring the transceiver for communication with the host computer via a long range wireless communications link; and

transmitting the clinical data to the host computer via the long range wireless communications link.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

determining whether the clinical data should be immediately delivered to the host computer; and

in response to determining that the clinical data should be immediately delivered to the host computer, immediately transmitting the clinical data to the host computer via the long range wireless communications link.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

storing the clinical data for subsequent delivery to the host computer in response to determining that the clinical data should not be immediately delivered to the host computer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting the stored clinical data to the host computer via the long range wireless communications link on a schedule coordinated with the host computer.

11. An apparatus for enabling data communication between an implantable medical device and a host computer, comprising:

a transceiver capable of communicating with the implantable medical device via a short range wireless communications link; and

an input and output interface capable of interfacing with a communications device and establishing a communication link with the host computer via the communications device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a central processing unit;

a memory; and

an program capable of executing on the central processing unit operative to receive clinical data stored in the implantable medical device via the short range wireless communications link; and

to establish the communications link with the host computer via the communications device and to transmit the clinical data to the host computer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the input and output interface is capable of interfacing with a wireless communication device and establishing a communications link with the host computer via the wireless communication device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program is further operative to postpone establishing the communications link with the host computer if the wireless communication device is in use.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the memory is further operative to store a serial number corresponding to the implantable medical device and wherein the program is further operative to transmit the serial number to the implantable medical device as a part of an authentication procedure.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the memory is further operative to store implantable medical device support files describing protocols for communicating with a plurality of different types of implantable medical devices and wherein said program is further operative to utilize said support files to communicate with said plurality of different types of implantable medical devices.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is powered by the communications device.

18. A method for enabling data communication between an implantable medical device and a host computer, the method comprising:

receiving clinical data from an implantable medical device via a short range wireless communications link;

establishing communications with a host computer utilizing a communications device coupled to the host computer via a long range wireless communications link; and

transmitting the clinical data to the host computer via the long range wireless communications link.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the communications device comprises a wireless telephone.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

storing a serial number corresponding to the implantable medical device; and

transmitting the serial number to the implantable medical device as a part of an authentication procedure.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

utilizing one or more implantable medical device support files that describe protocols for communicating with a plurality of different types of implantable medical devices to communicate with one of said plurality of different types of implantable medical devices.