Multi-mode coordinator for medical device function

Abstract

The invention is directed to an externally applied coordinator for communication and/or control of 2 or more implantable medical devices that may utilize different telemetry communication techniques. The coordinator receives telemetry signals from 2 or more implantable medical devices and provides functional direction to each of the devices to provide coordinated therapy and/or diagnostic function. The coordinator automatically configures itself for communication with a given medical device based either on the telemetry signal it receives or programmed by the physician. Specifically the coordinator is implemented as a software based, power efficient receiver/transmitter based upon an inexpensive, simple motor-controller DSP.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 10 / 722,891, filed Nov. 26, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to implantable medical devices, particularly, medical devices equipped to communicate via transmitting and receiving transcutaneously transmitted telemetry signals. More particularly, the invention relates to a device and method for the coordination of function between 2 or more implantable medical devices with or without similar telemetry systems. In particular, the inventive device is constructed in a temporary tape-on form from an energy efficient, inexpensive, and simple motor controller DSP. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Today, as the population ages, implantable medical devices (IMDs) are in use for various cardiac, pulmonary and neurological diseases. In fact, many elderly patients often have multiple disease states that may be helped by several different IMDs. Additionally, several neuro-cardiology disease...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention provides various advances in the art. In particular, the invention can allow the extension of the useful lifetime of an IMD and / or provide improved function, including diagnostics and therapy, by allowing intra-device communication and system coordination between 2 or more IMDs. A multi-mode system coordinator can be used to communicate and provide system integration and coordination on a selective basis between a plurality of different medical devices with, or without, differing telemetry communication modes.

Problems solved by technology

One issue with the integration of 2 or more IMDs in a patient is the additional “overhead” of software required for system function, integration of function, intra-device communication, new algorithms for therapies or diagnostics and the like.

Another issue with the synchronization of operation of 2 IMDs is that the telemetry method, modulation and / or coding format may be different between, and complicating the communication between, the 2 devices.

Additionally, as above, neither of the 2 IMDs would unlikely be able to provide the code space and circuit capability to allow the modulation, demodulation, coding and decoding of telemetry formats to allow this intra-device communication.

Unfortunately, the evolution of telemetry has also resulted in proliferation of a wide variety of different systems and communication techniques that generally require a unique programmer for communication with each type of device.

As pointed out in these articles, the difficulty of implementing multiple up / down link formats in a single programmer is formidable.

It would be prohibitively expensive, large and complex to incorporate the required amplification, filtering and demodulation of all manufacturers' IMDs in a single programmer.

Additionally, the integration of the circuitry and firmware / software into IMDs to allow intra-device communication and system integration / control would be unduly complex, bulky, power hungry and very difficult from a mechanical packaging perspective.

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