Application limitations for a medical communication module and host device

• US 8,868,794 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2011
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Masoud, Javaid, Verhoef, William D., Haubrich, Gregory J., Petersen, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alrobaye, Idriss N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Franklin, Richard B
• Application Number:
  US13/336,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20120166680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• 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: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• 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

Abstract

System and method for interfacing with a medical device having a host device and a communication module. The host device has a user interface configured to input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device. The communication module is locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device. The system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, is configured to communicate with the medical device with functions. The system, implemented by at least one of the host device and the communication module, has a security condition. At least one of the functions is disabled, at least in part, from operating on the system based upon the security condition.

Claims

1. A system for interfacing with a medical device, comprising:

a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device; and

a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device;

wherein the system, implemented by at least one of the host device and the communication module, has a security condition;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module modify the application in response to the security condition; and

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module modify the application by moving the application from the host device to the communication module.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the host device stores and executes the application for interfacing with the medical device.

3. A system for interfacing with a medical device, comprising:

a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device; and

a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device;

wherein the system is configured to operate the application for only a predetermined duration;

wherein the predetermined duration is based on a duration of operation of one or more functions of the application.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the predetermined duration is based on a duration of elapsed time.

5. A system for interfacing with a medical device, comprising:

a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device; and

a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device;

wherein the system is configured to operate the application for only a predetermined duration; and

wherein the application is characterized by a number of operations and wherein the predetermined duration is based on the number of operations.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the predetermined duration is based on a combination of the number of operations and a duration of elapsed time.

7. A system for interfacing with a medical device, comprising:

a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device; and

a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store a first application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored first application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device;

wherein the host device is configured to store and execute a second application that is not related with the interfacing with the medical device, wherein at least one of the host device or the communication module limits operation of the second application by the first application, wherein the operation of the second application is limited by being transferred to a temporary storage location.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the operation of the second application is limited by the first application being in use.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the second application is limited by being transferred to a temporary storage location of the communication module.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the second application is transferred back from the temporary storage location at least partially dependent on operation of the first application.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second application is transferred back from the temporary storage location when the first application is no longer in use.

12. A method for interfacing with a medical device using a system comprising a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device, and a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device, wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device, the method comprising:

detecting a security condition of the system implemented by at least one of the host device and the communication module; and

modifying the application in response to the security condition;

wherein the host device stores and executes the application, and wherein modifying the application comprises moving the application from the host device to the communication module.

13. A method for interfacing with a medical device with a system, the system comprising a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device, and a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device, wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device, the method comprising:

operating the application by at least one of the host device and communication module to interface with the medical device; and

disabling the application from operating on the at least one of the host device and the communication module after a predetermined duration;

wherein the application is characterized by a number of operations and wherein the predetermined duration is based on the number of operations.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the predetermined duration is based on a combination of the number of operations and a duration of elapsed time.

15. A method for interfacing with a medical device with a system comprising a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device, and a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device,

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store a first application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored first application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device, and

wherein the host device is configured to store and execute a second application that is not related with the interfacing with the medical device,

the method comprising:

limiting an operation of the second non-interfacing application by the first interfacing application, wherein limiting the operation of the second non-interfacing application includes transferring the second non-interfacing application to a temporary storage location.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein limiting the operation of the second non-interfacing application comprises limiting the second application based on a level of use of the first interfacing application.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein transferring the second application to a temporary storage location comprises transferring the second application to a temporary storage location of the communication module.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring the second application back from the temporary storage when the first application is no longer in use.

19. A system for interfacing with a medical device, comprising:

a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device; and

a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device;

wherein the system, implemented by at least one of the host device and the communication module, has a security condition;

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module modify the application in response to the security condition; and

wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module;

receives input from a trusted provider subsequent to modifying the application; and

restores the application in response to the input from the trusted provider.

20. A method for interfacing with a medical device using a system comprising a host device comprising a user interface configured to receive input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device, and a communication module locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device, wherein at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to store an application for interfacing with the medical device, and at least one of the host device and the communication module are configured to execute the stored application that, when executed, enables the system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, to interface with the medical device, the method comprising:

detecting a security condition of the system implemented by at least one of the host device and the communication module;

modifying the application in response to the security condition;

receiving input from a trusted provider subsequent to modifying the application; and

restoring the application in response to the input from the trusted provider.