Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices

• US 7,024,248 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Remon Medical Technologies Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Doron, Eyal, Penner, Avl
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US09/989,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077673A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 607 30- 32, 607 55- 57, 607 59- 62, 128/903
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0257 using atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 : Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry

Abstract

Systems and methods for communicating with an implant within a patient'"'"'s body using acoustic telemetry includes an external communications device attachable to the patient'"'"'s skin. The device includes an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals into the patient'"'"'s body and/or for receiving acoustic signals from the implant. The device includes a battery for providing electrical energy to operate the device, a processor for extracting data from acoustic signals received from the implant, and memory for storing the data. The device may include an interface for communicating with a recorder or computer, e.g., to transfer data from the implant and/or to receive instructions for controlling the implant. The device is secured to the patient'"'"'s skin for controlling, monitoring, or otherwise communicating with the implant, while allowing the patient to remain mobile.

Claims

1. A system for activating an implant within a body, comprising:

an external controller for contacting an exterior surface of a patient'"'"'s body, the controller comprising a controller transducer for transmitting an acoustic control signal into the patient'"'"'s body, and an energy source for powering the controller transducer; and

an implant for placement within the patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, a switch coupled between the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and an acoustic implant transducer coupled to the switch, the implant transducer configured for receiving the control signal from the controller transducer, the switch being closed in response to the control signal to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, thereby activate the implant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller transducer is configured for transmitting first and second a acoustic control signals separated by a predetermined delay, and wherein the switch is configured to close only when the implant transducer receives the first and second control signals separated by the predetermined delay.

3. The system of claim 1, the controller further comprising a processor for controlling the controller transducer to transmit one of a first acoustic control signal and a second acoustic control signal, wherein the switch is closed when the first control signal is received by the implant transducer, and opened when the second control signal is received by the implant transducer.

4. The system of claim 1, the implant further comprising a sensor coupled to the electrical circuit, the one or more commands comprising measuring a physiological parameter within the body using the sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the implant transducer is configured for transmitting an acoustic data signal to the controller, the data signal comprising sensor data indicative of the physiological parameter, and wherein the controller transducer is configured for receiving the data signal from the implant.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller further comprises memory for storing the sensor data.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller further comprises a processor for extracting the sensor data from the data signal.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller further comprises an interface for transferring the extracted sensor data to an external electronic device separate from the controller.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a therapeutic device coupled to the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit being configured for controlling the therapeutic device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises a rechargeable device, and wherein the system further comprises an external charger configured for placement against an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body, the charger comprising a source of electrical energy and a an energy exchange transducer the energy exchange transducer configured for converting electrical energy from the source of electrical energy into acoustic energy and transmitting an acoustic energy signal comprising the acoustic energy into the patient'"'"'s body.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the implant transducer is further configured for converting the acoustic energy signal into electrical energy for recharging the energy storage device.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive for securing the controller to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is carried by a patch attachable to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s skin body.

14. The system of claim 1, the implant further comprising an actuator coupled to the electrical circuit, the one or more commands comprising activating the actuator to control a therapeutic device coupled to the actuator.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the external controller is adapted to be coupled to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the external controller is adapted to be secured to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.

17. A method for communicating with an implant located within a patient'"'"'s body, the implant comprising an acoustic implant transducer configured for communicating using acoustic telemetry, the method comprising:

placing a portable communications device in contact with an exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body, the communications device comprising one or more acoustic transducers configured for communicating using acousitc telemetry, and an energy source for providing electrical energy to operate the communications device; and

communicating with the implant using the one or more acoustic transducers to transmit one or more acoustic signals from the communications device to the implant, wherein upon receiving an acoustic signal, the acoustic implant transducer closes a switch to allow electrical energy to flow from an energy storage device to power the implant.

18. The method of claim 17, the one or more acoustic signals comprising a command for controlling operation of the implant.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the command comprises measuring a physiological parameter within the body.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the command comprises controlling a therapeutic device coupled to the implant.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein communicating with the implant comprises receiving one or more acoustic signals from the implant, the one or more acoustic signals comprising data indicative of a physiological parameter measured by the implant.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising extracting data from the one or more acoustic signals received from the implant.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising storing the extracted data in a memory of the communications device.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising transferring the extracted data to an electronic device external to the patient'"'"'s body.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising charging the energy storage device with an energy source located outside the patient'"'"'s body.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the energy source comprises a charger that is separate from the communications device.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the communications device comprises a patch carrying the one or more acoustic transducers, and wherein placing the device in contact with the patient'"'"'s body comprises securing the patch to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more acoustic transducers are acoustically coupled to the patient'"'"'s body when the patch is secured to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the portable communications device is coupled to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the portable communications device is secured to the exterior surface of the patient'"'"'s body.