Human language translation of patient session information from implantable medical devices

• US 6,644,322 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Webb, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US09/887,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 128/899, 128/903, 128/904, 600/300, 600/508, 600/509, 600/510, 600/522, 600/523, 607/30, 607/32, 607/59, 607/60, 707/102, 707/103, 709/201, 709/203, 709/206, 709/217, 709/246, 715/500.1, 715/513, 715/517, 715/522, 715/523
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3702 Physiological parameters A61N1/365 takes precedence; evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/923 by comparison of patient data to other data

Abstract

A system and method for efficiently and relatively inexpensively providing a capability of translating “Patient Session Information” comprising IMD data and patient data stored in IMD memory in one human language and optionally other patient data from other sources into another human language. The local language translation is effected by first employing an Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) converter for converting Patient Session Information from an initial format, such as a memory dump format, ASCII format, a waveform format, a numeric format, or a binary format, to an XML format, thereby providing XML formatted Patient Session Information. Then, the XML formatted Patient Session Information is subjected to transformation by a human language specific Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) stylesheet into XSL transformed Patient Session Information. The XSL stylesheet effects translation of the XML formatted Patient Session Information into a language understandable to the user in an HTML format or another XML format or another suitable format, e.g., PDF or SVG graphic image formats. The XSL transformed Patient Session Information is thereby rendered understandable to the user that selects the human language when the translated Patient Session Information is delivered as by visual display or print-out or audible presentation or storage depending upon a selection of the user. The translated Patient Session Information can be stored in the programmer memory or in the IMD memory or transferred or exported to another device or system interconnected with the programmer including a remote server accessed through the Internet.

Claims

1. In relation to an implantable medical device (IMD), a method of providing patient session information including patient data and IMD data stored in IMD memory in a human language understandable to a user comprising the steps of:

providing extensible mark-up language (XML) formatted patient session information in a first human language;

in response to an indication by the user, providing a human language specific stylesheet for transforming the first human language of the XML formatted patient session information into the human language understandable by the user;

applying the human language specific stylesheet to transform the XML formatted patient session information into translated patient session information in the human language understandable by the user; and

providing the translated patient session information to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stylesheet comprises a human language specific extensible stylesheet language (XSL) stylesheet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step further comprises translating the XML formatted patient session information into the understandable human language in a format selected from the group comprising an HTML format, another XML format, a PDF graphic image format or an SVG graphic image format.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the translated patient session information to the user comprises visually displaying the translated patient session information on a visual display or printout.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises the steps of:

transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

accessing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises the steps of:

transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

storing the patient session information in a first format in IMD memory;

initiating a telemetry session between an external medical device and the IMD storing patient session information in the first format;

uplink telemetry transmitting the patient session information stored in the IMD in the first format to the external medical device; and

converting the uplink telemetry transmitted patient session information from the initial format to the XML format within the external medical device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the external medical device is an IMD programmer.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the external medical device is an external patient monitor.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises the steps of:

transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote data center database.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprising the steps of:

transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

storing the patient session information in a the XML format in IMD memory;

initiating a telemetry session between an external medical device and the IMD storing patient session information in the XML format; and

uplink telemetry transmitting the patient session information stored in the IMD in the XML format to the external medical device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the external medical device is an IMD programmer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the external medical device is an external patient monitor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises the steps of:

transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote data center database.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises the steps of:

transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

17. In relation to an implantable medical device (IMD), a system providing patient session information including patient data and IMD data stored in IMD memory in a human language understandable to a user comprising:

means for providing extensible mark-up language (XML) formatted patient session information in a first human language;

means operable in response to an indication by the user for providing a human language specific stylesheet for transforming the first human language of the XML formatted patient session information into the human language understandable by the user;

means for applying the human language specific stylesheet to transform the XML formatted patient session information into translated patient session information in the human language understandable by the user; and

means for providing the translated patient session information to the user in the language understandable by the user.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the stylesheet comprises a human language specific extensible stylesheet language (XSL) stylesheet.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the applying means further comprises means for translating the XML formatted patient session information into the understandable human language in a format selected from the group comprising an HTML format, another XML format, a PDF graphic image format or an SVG graphic image format.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for providing the translated patient session information to the user comprises means for visually displaying the translated patient session information on a visual display or printout.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

means for initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for storing the patient session information in a first format in IMD memory;

means for initiating a telemetry session between an external medical device and the IMD storing patient session information in the first format;

means for uplink telemetry transmitting the patient session information stored in the IMD in the first format to the external medical device; and

means for converting the uplink telemetry transmitted patient session information from the initial format to the XML format within the external medical device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the external medical device is an IMD programmer.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the external medical device is an external patient monitor.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote data center database.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

means for initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

28. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for storing the patient session information in a the XML format in IMD memory;

means for initiating a telemetry session between an external medical device and the IMD storing patient session information in the XML format; and

means for uplink telemetry transmitting the patient session information stored in the IMD in the XML format to the external medical device.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the external medical device is an IMD programmer.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the external medical device is an external patient monitor.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote data center database.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for providing the XML formatted patient session information in a first human language further comprises:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

means for initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

33. In relation to an implantable medical device (IMD), a system providing patient session information including patient data and IMD data stored in IMD memory in a human language understandable to a user comprising:

an external medical device capable of receiving and saving formatted patient session information transmitted to the external medical device from the IMD within external medical device memory and capable of transferring the patient session information to a remote location;

an extensible mark-up language (XML) converter for converting patient session information from an initial format into XML formatted patient session information;

a human language specific stylesheet for transforming the first human language of the XML formatted patient session information into the human language understandable by the user;

means for applying the human language specific stylesheet to transform the XML formatted patient session information into translated patient session information in the human language understandable by the user; and

means for providing the translated patient session information to the user in the language understandable by the user.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the stylesheet comprises a human language specific extensible stylesheet language (XSL) stylesheet.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the applying means further comprises means for translating the XML formatted patient session information into the understandable human language in a format selected from the group comprising an HTML format, another XML format, a PDF graphic image format or an SVG graphic image format.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the means for providing the translated patient session information to the user comprises means for visually displaying the translated patient session information on a visual display or printout.

37. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database.

38. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

means for initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

39. The system of claim 33, wherein the patient session information is stored in a first format in IMD memory, and the external medical device further comprises:

means for initiating a telemetry session between the external medical device and the IMD storing patient session information in the first format;

means for uplink telemetry transmitting the patient session information stored in the IMD in the first format to the external medical device; and

means for converting the uplink telemetry transmitted patient session information from the initial format to the XML format within the external medical device employing the XML converter.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the external medical device is an IMD programmer.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the external medical device is an external patient monitor.

42. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote data center database.

43. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

means for initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.

44. The system of claim 33, wherein the patient session information is stored in the XML format in IMD memory, and the external medical device further comprises:

means for initiating a telemetry session between an external medical device and the IMD storing patient session information in the XML format; and

means for uplink telemetry transmitting the patient session information stored in the IMD in the XML format to the external medical device.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the external medical device is an IMD programmer.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the external medical device is an external patient monitor.

47. The system of claim 44, further comprising:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information to a remote data center and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote data center database accessible by the user; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote data center database.

48. The system of claim 44, further comprising:

means for transferring the XML formatted patient session information over the Internet to a remote server and storing the XML formatted patient session information in a remote server database accessible by the user employing a web browser;

means for initiating an Internet connection between a user controlled Internet access device operating a web browser; and

means for accessing the XML formatted patient session information in the remote server database through the web browser.