Method and apparatus for communication between a handheld programmer and an implantable medical device

• US 20050245992A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Von Arx, Jeffrey A., Vallapureddy, Vineel, Persen, Kenneth H., Larson, Dennis Eric, Hein, Jason Dean, Woellenstein, Matthias Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,324,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network

Abstract

Systems and methods for telemetric communication between a handheld programmer and an implantable medical device are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a user-friendly, color, touch-sensitive screen that allows the user to visually observe and control the handheld'"'"'s operation. The handheld further comprises an internal and/or external analytical means to provide robust analytical capabilities. Some embodiments of a system disclosed herein can be configured as a component of an Advanced Patient Management System that helps better monitor, predict and manage chronic diseases.

Claims

1. A device for wireless analysis and programming of an implantable medical device comprising:

a. a size adapted to be hand held;

b. a transmitter;

c. a receiver; and

d. a color, touch-sensitive display screen.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is accessible by a clinician.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is accessible by a patient.

4. The patient accessible device of claim 3, wherein the device includes pre-set programming limits.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a PCMCIA card.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a tablet pc.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted as a data bridge to a traditional programmer for an implantable medical device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted as an analytical bridge to a traditional programmer for an implantable medical device.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted as a data and analytical bridge to a traditional programmer for an implantable medical device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to electronically communicate with at least one implantable medical device.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to electronically store data.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted for a compatible cradle.

14. The compatible cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle is adapted to provide energy to the handheld.

15. The compatible cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle includes a printer.

16. The printer of claim 15, wherein the cradle includes a printer adapted to print standard, 8½

by 11 inch paper.

17. The printer of claim 15, wherein the cradle includes a SCR printer.

18. The compatible cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle is adapted to electronically communicate.

19. The cradle of claim 18, wherein the cradle comprises at least one connectivity port.

20. The at least one connectivity port of claim 19, wherein the port comprises an Ethernet™

port.

21. The at least one connectivity port of claim 19, wherein the port comprises an infrared port.

22. The at least one connectivity port of claim 19, wherein the port comprises a wireless port.

23. The compatible cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle is adapted to electronically communicate with another programmer.

24. The compatible cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle is adapted to electronically communicate with an APM system.

25. The compatible cradle of claim 13, wherein the cradle is adapted to electronically communicate with an external printer.

26. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is adapted to program the at least one implantable medical device.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the device is adapted to remotely program the at least one implantable medical device.

28. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is adapted to interrogate the at least one implantable medical device.

29. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is adapted to diagnose the operation of the at least one implantable medical device.

30. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is adapted to electronically communicate with multiple implantable medical devices.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the multiple implantable medical devices are implanted in at least one patient.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the multiple implantable medical devices are implanted in more than one patient.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to electronically communicate with a computer network.

34. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to electronically communicate with an Advanced Patient Management system.

35. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to analyze data electronically communicated from at least one implantable medical device.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to display data.

37. The displayed data of claim 36, wherein the data comprises data indicative of the operation of the handheld device.

38. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to display data electronically communicated from at least one implantable medical device.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the device is adapted to display data electronically communicated from multiple implantable medical devices.

40. The displayed data of claim 38, wherein the data comprises data indicative of the operation of the at least one implantable medical device.

41. The displayed data of claim 38, wherein the data comprises data indicative of the parameter settings of the at least one implantable medical device.

42. The displayed data of claim 38, wherein the data is displayed in real time.

43. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is adapted to include inductive telemetry.

44. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is adapted to include RF telemetry.

45. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is adapted to include infrared telemetry.

46. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is adapted to include inductive telemetry.

47. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is adapted to include RF telemetry.

48. The device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is adapted to include infrared telemetry.

49. The device of claim 1, wherein the display screen comprises a liquid crystal display.

50. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further adapted to be a component of a computer network.

51. The computer network of claim 50, wherein the network comprises multiple handheld devices.

52. The computer network of claim 50, wherein the network comprises multiple implantable medical devices.

53. The computer network of claim 50, wherein the network comprises multiple handheld and implantable medical devices.

54. The computer network of claim 50, wherein the system comprises a component of a patient management system.

55. The patient management system of claim 54, wherein the system comprises an Advanced Patient Management system.

56. The Advanced Patient Management system of claim 55, wherein the system comprises:

a. an implantable medical device including at least one sensing module adapted to monitor at least one physiological function;

b. a data management module comprising a medical practice data, general practice data, patient data and patient population data and adapted to electronically communicate with an analysis module;

c. an analysis module adapted to analyze data from and electronically communicate with the data management module; and

d. a handheld device adapted to electronically communicate with the implantable medical device and the data management module.

57. A method of using the system of claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

a. bringing the device within operational proximity to an implantable medical device;

b. activating the device to electronically communicate with the implantable medical device; and

c. communicating with the implantable medical device.

58. The step of activating the device of claim 57, wherein the step further comprises the step of manually activating the device.

59. The step of activating the device of claim 57, wherein the step further comprises the step of automatically activating the device.

60. The step of communicating of claim 57, wherein the step further comprises the step of telemetrically communicating with the implantable medical device.

61. The step of telemetrically communicating of claim 60, wherein the step further comprises the step of communicating with the implantable medical device via inductive means.

62. The step of telemetrically communicating of claim 60, wherein the step further comprises the step of communicating with the implantable medical device via RF means.

63. The step of telemetrically communicating of claim 60, wherein the step further comprises the step of communicating with the implantable medical device via infrared means.