Apparatus and method to automatic remote software updates of medical device systems

• US 6,363,282 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1999
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Nichols, Timothy Joseph, Linberg, Kurt R.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/429,960
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 607/30-32, 607/59-60, 128/903, 128/904, 128/920, 600/300
• US Class Current: 607/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A system and method for providing an automated software update to a programmer or equivalent device used in implantable medical device system is disclosed. The programmer comprises a remote instrument configuration database containing current instrument configuration information. The programmer user interface initiates an interface to a centralized globally accessible remote expert data center located at a distal location relative to the programmer. The remote expert data center includes an instrument configuration database containing configuration data for the programmer. The remote expert data center also includes a released software database containing software applications compatible with the programmer. Further, the remote expert data center contains a rule set database which identifies an approved software application for the programmer. A management component of the remote expert data center enables the transmission of the approved software application to the programmer.

Claims

1. In a bi-directional communications system wherein a web-based remote expert data center is in remote communications with a programmer for an implantable medical device, a method for providing an automated software update to the programmer from the expert data center, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and a remote expert data center;

retrieving current instrument configuration information from an instrument configuration database located within the programmer;

determining an approved software application for the programmer;

accessing the approved software application;

transmitting the approved software application to the programmer via the interface; and

updating a remote instrument configuration database located within the remote expert data center.

2. The method of claim 1, and including the further step of:

updating an instrument configuration data base located within the programmer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface via a local area network communications link between the programmer and the remote expert data center.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface via an internet communications link between the programmer and the remote expert data center.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface via a telephone line communications link between the programmer and the remote expert data center.

6. The method of claim 1, where the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface via a satellite communications link between the programmer and the remote expert data center.

7. The method of claim 1, where the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface via a global positioning system communications link between the programmer and the remote expert data center.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via at least two communication links selected from the group of communication links consisting of a local area network link, an internet link, a telephone line link, a satellite link, a global positioning system link, and a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining an approved software application includes the further step of:

determining an approved software application for the programmer based upon approval of the application by a government agency in a country in which the programmer is located.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining an approved software application includes the further step of:

determining an approved software application for the programmer based upon manufacture approval of the application.

11. The method of claim 1, and including the further step of:

modifying the approved software application based upon the instrument configuration information of the programmer prior to transmitting the approved software application to the programmer.

12. A method for providing an automated software update to a programmer of an implantable medical device system, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating an interface between a programmer and a remote expert data center located at a distant location relative to the programmer;

retrieving current instrument configuration information from an instrument configuration database located within the programmer;

identifying an approved software application for the programmer; and

transmitting the approved software application to the programmer via the interface.

13. The method of claim 12, and including the further step of:

updating an instrument configuration database located within the programmer.

14. The method of claim 12, and including the further step of:

updating a remote instrument configuration database located with the remote expert data center.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via a local area network communications link.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via an internet communications link.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via a telephone line communications link.

18. The method of claim 12, where the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via a satellite communications link.

19. The method of claim 12, where the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via a global positioning system communications link.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of initiating an interface includes the further step of:

initiating an interface between the programmer and the remote expert data center via at least two communication links selected from the group of communication links consisting of a local area network link, an internet link, a telephone line link, a satellite link, a global positioning system link, and a combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of identifying an approved software application includes the further step of:

identifying an approved software application for the programmer based upon approval of the application by a government agency in a country in which the programmer is located.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of identifying an approved software application includes the further step of:

identifying an approved software application for the programmer based upon manufacturer approval of the application.

23. The method of claim 12, and including the further step of:

modifying the approved software application based upon the instrument configuration information of the programmer prior to transmitting the approved software application to the programmer.

24. A system for providing an automated software update to a programmer of an implantable medical device system, the system comprising:

means for initiating an interface between a programmer and a remote expert data center located at a distant location relative to the programmer;

means for retrieving current instrument configuration information from an instrument configuration database located within the programmer;

means for determining an approved software application for the programmer;

means for accessing the approved software application;

means for transmitting the approved software to the programmer;

means for updating a remote instrument configuration database located within the remote expert data center; and

means for updating the instrument configuration database located within the programmer.

25. A system for providing an automated software update to a programmer of an implantable medical device system, the system comprising:

means for initiating an interface between a programmer and a remote expert data center located at a distant location relative to the programmer;

means for retrieving current instrument configuration information from an instrument configuration database located within the programmer;

means for identifying an approved software application for the programmer; and

means for transmitting the approved software application to the programmer.