Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices

• US 7,756,587 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Penner, Avi, Doron, Eyal
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): SARCIONE, JESSICA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/876,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 128897-899, 128903-904, 607 29- 34, 607 59- 61
• 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 communicating with a medical device implanted within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

one or more implants for placement within the body, each implant including an electrical circuit configured to perform one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, an acoustic switch coupled between the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and one or more acoustic implant transducers coupled to the acoustic switch, the one or more acoustic implant transducers configured for receiving an acoustic control signal to activate the acoustic switch between a first state, in which current is limited from flowing from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, and a second state, in which current flows from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit;

an external controller for placement outside of the body, the external controller including one or more acoustic controller transducers for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals, wherein the transmitted acoustic signals include at least the acoustic control signal; and

an external monitoring device in communication with the external controller, the external monitoring device configured to monitor one or more physiological parameters within the body.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more implants includes a biosensor coupled to the electrical circuit and adapted to sense a physiological parameter within the body.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one implant includes a transmitter, and wherein the implant is configured to transmit a data signal including sensor data from the biosensor to a device located outside of the body.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one implant is configured to transmit the sensor data to the external controller.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one implant is configured to transmit an acoustic data signal to the external controller, the acoustic data signal including sensor data from the biosensor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the external controller includes a processor for extracting the sensor data from the acoustic data signal.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the external controller includes an interface for transferring the sensor data to the external monitoring device.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more implants includes an actuator coupled to the switch and a therapeutic device implanted within the body.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control the therapeutic device in response to a physiological parameter measured by the biosensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more implants includes an actuator coupled to the switch and a therapeutic device implanted within the body.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control the therapeutic device in response to an acoustic signal received from the external controller.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the external monitoring device includes a patient database for monitoring the patient.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the external monitoring device includes a means for programming the external controller.

14. A system for communicating with a medical device implanted within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

one or more implants for placement within the body, each implant including an electrical circuit configured to perform one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, an acoustic switch coupled between the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and one or more acoustic implant transducers coupled to the acoustic switch, the one or more acoustic implant transducers configured for receiving an acoustic control signal to activate the acoustic switch between a first state, in which current is limited from flowing from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, and a second state, in which current flows from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, wherein at least one of the one or more implants includes a biosensor adapted to sense one or more physiological parameters within the body;

an external controller for placement outside of the body, the external controller including one or more acoustic controller transducers configured to receive an acoustic data signal transmitted from the at least one implant, the acoustic data signal including sensor data received from the biosensor, wherein the one or more acoustic controller transducers are configured to transmit acoustic signals, the transmitted acoustic signals including the acoustic control signal; and

an external monitoring device in communication with the external controller, the external monitoring device configured to monitor the sensor data received from the biosensor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the external controller includes a processor for extracting the sensor data from the acoustic data signal.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the external controller includes an interface for transferring the sensor data to the external monitoring device.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the one or more implants includes an actuator coupled to the switch and a therapeutic device implanted within the body.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to control the therapeutic device in response to a physiological parameter measured by the biosensor.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the external monitoring device includes a patient database for monitoring the patient.

20. A system for communicating with a medical device implanted within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

one or more implants for placement within the body, each implant including an electrical circuit configured to perform one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, an acoustic switch coupled between the electrical circuit and the energy storage device, and one or more acoustic implant transducers coupled to the acoustic switch, the one or more acoustic implant transducers configured for receiving an acoustic control signal to activate the acoustic switch between a first state, in which current is limited from flowing from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, and a second state, in which current flows from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, wherein at least one of the one or more implants includes a biosensor adapted to sense one or more physiological parameters within the body;

an external controller for placement outside of the body, the external controller including one or more acoustic controller transducers configured to receive an acoustic data signal transmitted by the at least one implant, and a processor configured to extract sensor data from the biosensor, wherein the one or more acoustic controller transducers are configured to transmit acoustic signals, the transmitted acoustic signals including the acoustic control signal; and

a patient management database adapted to store the extracted sensor data from the biosensor.