Proximity based selection of an implantable medical device for far field communication

• US 8,649,757 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2010
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Roberts, Earle T., Villalta, Donald L., Slack, David S, Ali, Irfan Z., Raghavendran, Sudheendhar, Torgerson, Nathan A., Sipple, Garrett R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porter, Jr., Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/686,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 607 30- 32, 607/59, 607/60, 455/404.1, 455/41.2, 455/421
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• 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 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/88 Medical equipments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Devices and systems provide for proximity based selection of an implantable medical device for far field communication with an external device. By using a proximity communication that is limited to the IMD of interest during the selection process, the external device can eliminate those IMDs that are in range of far field communications but are able to receive the proximity communication. Thus, information may be shared via a proximity communication that is validated via a far field communication, or shared via a far field communication as a challenge and then validated via a proximity communication. The proximity communication may be used to initially limit the number of devices that respond to a discovery request and then subsequently used to select the intended implantable medical device as well as automatically select the appropriate therapy application corresponding to the selected IMD.

Claims

1. A method of establishing communication between an external device and at least one of a plurality of implantable medical devices (IMDs), comprising:

monitoring, with each of the plurality of IMDs, for a proximity communication from the external device that is unaware of an identifier value that is unique to each of the plurality of IMDs, respectively;

receiving, with the at least one of the plurality of IMDs, the proximity communication from the external device, the proximity communication comprising a value that is unique to the external device;

after receiving the proximity communication with the at least one of the plurality of IMDs, monitoring, with IMDs that received the proximity communication, for a far field discovery communication, the far field discovery communication being a far field inquiry from the external device to all of the plurality of implantable medical devices within communication range of the external device;

receiving the far field discovery communication with the IMDs that received the proximity communication and that are in the communication range with the external device;

responding, with the IMDs that received the proximity communication and that received the far field discovery communication, to the far field discovery communication by transmitting a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising the value that is unique to the external device and the identifier value that is unique to each respective IMD that received the proximity communication and that received the far field discovery communication; and

exchanging information with the external device using far field communication by transmitting, with the IMDs that received the proximity communication and that received the far field discovery communication, the information in conjunction with the identifier value that is unique to each respective IMD.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity communication from the external device further includes an encryption key.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein exchanging information with the external device using far field communication comprises encrypting the information with the encryption key.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein exchanging information with the external device further comprises using far field communication by receiving the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the external device.

5. A system for establishing communication, comprising:

an external device and an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device is configured to;

monitor for a proximity communication from the external device that is unaware of an identifier value that is unique to the implantable medical device;

receive the proximity communication from the external device, the proximity communication comprising a value that is unique to the external device;

after receiving the proximity communication, monitor for a far field discovery communication, the far field discovery communication being a far field inquiry from the external device to all implantable medical devices within communication range of the external device;

receive the far field discovery communication;

respond to the far field discovery communication by transmitting a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising the identifier value that is unique to the implantable medical device and the value that is unique to the external device; and

exchange information with the external device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the identifier value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the proximity communication from the external device further includes an encryption key.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the implantable medical device exchanges information with the external device using far field communication by encrypting the information with the encryption key.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein implantable medical device exchanges information with the external device using far field communication by receiving the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the external device.