Communications adapter and method for transferring data - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communications adapter 1, 101, 201 and a computer-implemented method for use with an implantable medical device 10 for transferring data D1, D2 between an implantable medical device 10, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator and / or neurostimulator, and a mobile device 12, in particular a smartphone or tablet. Additionally, the present invention relates to a protective case 22, a cable 122 and a connector 222 comprising the communications adapter 1, 101, 201, respectively.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, to transfer data between the implantable medical device and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer.

[0002] Additionally, the present invention relates to a protective case, a cable and a connector each comprising a communications adapter.

[0003] Additionally, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for transferring data between an implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, using a communications adapter. [Background technology]

[0004] EP 1 762 955 A1 discloses a communications adapter for use with a portable mobile medical or therapeutic device, in particular a device for diagnosing or treating glucose metabolism disorders, for transferring data between a medical or therapeutic device and a computer for displaying operating parameters or measurement data of the device and / or for operating the device, wherein the medical or therapeutic device comprises a device processor for controlling the device and a device adapter interface for communication of the device processor with the communications adapter, wherein the communications adapter comprises an adapter processor for controlling the communications adapter, an adapter device interface for communication of the communications adapter with the device, an adapter computer interface for communication of the adapter processor with a computer interface of the computer, and a device driver with an associated transmission protocol.

[0005] Implant systems capable of communicating with mobile devices such as smartphones are usually equipped with a Bluetooth® low energy interface.

[0006] The disadvantages of a Bluetooth Low Energy interface in an implant are, on the one hand, the increased power consumption of this telemetry function, especially if connections are established frequently, and, on the other hand, the changing standardization of the Bluetooth Low Energy transmission protocol on the smartphone side over time and possible interruptions.

[0007] There is therefore a risk that a suitable smartphone capable of communicating with the implant's Bluetooth Low Energy interface will not be available for the operational lifetime of the implant, which is typically 15 years. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] EP1762955A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device that offers low energy consumption and is capable of communicating with an implant's interface throughout its operational life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This object is solved by a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device for transferring data between the implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, having the features of claim 1.

[0011] The object is further solved by a protective case having the features of claim 7, a cable having the features of claim 8 and a connector having the features of claim 9.

[0012] Additionally, this object is solved by a computer-implemented method for transferring data between an implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or a tablet computer, by means of a communication adapter having the features of claim 11.

[0013] Furthermore, this object is solved by a computer program having the features of claim 12 and by a computer-readable data carrier having the features of claim 13.

[0014] Further developments and advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0015] The present invention provides a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, to transfer data between the implantable medical device and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer.

[0016] The communications adapter includes a MICS telemetry interface for data transfer between the communications adapter and the implantable medical device.

[0017] The communications adapter further comprises a communications and power supply interface for data transfer between the communications adapter and the mobile device and a connector for connecting to the mobile device, where the communications adapter is powered via the communications and power supply interface, where the communications adapter is configured to transfer data sent by the implantable medical device via the MICS telemetry interface to the mobile device via the communications and power supply interface and to transfer data sent by the mobile device via the communications and power supply interface to the implantable medical device via the MICS telemetry interface.

[0018] Furthermore, the invention provides a protective case for a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, which comprises a frame, in particular made of an elastic material, that can be attached around the edge of the mobile device, and the communication adapter of the invention.

[0019] Additionally, the present invention provides a cable comprising a connector, in particular a USB Type A, USB-OTG, USB-C, mini USB, micro USB, Lightning or Thunderbolt connector, and a communication adapter of the present invention.

[0020] The present invention further provides a computer-implemented method for transferring data between an implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, using a communications adapter.

[0021] The method includes providing a MICS telemetry interface for transferring data between a communications adapter and an implantable medical device.

[0022] The method further includes providing a communications and power supply interface for data transfer between the communications adapter and the mobile device, where the communications adapter transfers data sent by the implantable medical device via the MICS telemetry interface to the mobile device via the communications and power supply interface, and transfers data sent by the mobile device via the communications and power supply interface to the implantable medical device via the MICS telemetry interface.

[0023] The idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a communication adapter that converts the communication standard of mobile devices to the communication standard of implanted medical devices, namely MICS-band telemetry. Using MICS-band telemetry, the implanted medical device can thereby easily and cheaply communicate with mobile devices such as smartphones throughout the operational life of the implant, which is typically 15 years.

[0024] One example of a purely therapeutic implant / implantable medical device is, for example, a stimulator / electrode for deep brain stimulation (e.g., treatment of Parkinson's disease or treatment of depression), where the treatment consists of the delivery of a pulse train (120) without collecting diagnostic data from the stimulator.

[0025] One example of a purely diagnostic implant, for example, is a cardiac rhythm monitor. The diagnostic function consists of continuous recording of the patient's ECG and automatic evaluation of cardiac rhythm abnormalities. If such are detected, the ECG recording is stored and usually automatically transmitted to a remote monitoring system.

[0026] One example of an implant with therapeutic and diagnostic functions is, for example, a cardiac pacemaker. The pacemaker is usually implanted subcutaneously in the upper right chest and electrodes are placed in the patient's heart via a large vein. The therapeutic function consists of delivering a stimulation pulse to trigger cardiac motion, provided that the patient has no spontaneous cardiac motion. The diagnostic function consists, for example, of continuous recording of the patient's ECG and automatic evaluation of cardiac rhythm abnormalities. If such are detected, the ECG recording is stored and usually automatically transmitted to a remote monitoring system.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication and power supply interface for data transfer between a communication adapter and a mobile device may be implemented using USB On-The-Go (USB-OTG).

[0028] USB-OTG is a specification that allows other USB devices, e.g. USB drives, digital cameras or keyboards, to be attached to a USB device, e.g. a tablet or smartphone, allowing the USB device to act as a host. The smartphone may read from removable media as a host, but present itself as a (USB Mass Storage) device when connected to a host computer. USB-OTG introduces the concept of an appliance that performs both the roles of host and device - whenever two USB appliances are connected and one of them is a USB-OTG device, they establish a communications link. The appliance that controls the link is called the host, and the other is called the device or peripheral.

[0029] When a device is plugged into the USB bus, a master device, or host, sets up the communication with the device and handles the service provisioning (host software enables or performs the required data processing), which allows the communication and power supply interface (device / peripheral) to be greatly simplified compared to the host (tablet or smartphone).

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, a communications adapter is configured to connect a mobile device with a further device, in particular a charging device, a computing device and / or a data storage device, by means of a USB connector.

[0031] Thus, the communication adapter is configured to duplicate the communication and power supply ports of the mobile device so that the ports remain available after the adapter is attached. The user can then, for example, connect his charging cable to the smartphone. Thus, the communication and power supply ports of the smartphone are not blocked. The connection sockets of the smartphone are duplicated.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, the communications adapter can be integrated into the protective case, cable, or connector of the mobile device, such that the communications and power ports of the mobile device can be used for other functions while simultaneously providing MICS telemetry functionality for connecting the mobile device to an implantable medical device.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, the MICS telemetry interface comprises a MICS band radio module comprising an encryption unit, in particular a hardware and / or software based encryption unit, configured to encrypt communications between the MICS telemetry interface and the implanted medical device, such that communications between the mobile device and the implanted medical device can be made more secure.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, the communications adapter comprises or is connected to at least a first MICS band antenna and a second MICS band antenna, which provides the advantage of antenna diversity.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, the communication adapter comprises an authentication unit, in particular a hardware and / or software based authentication unit, configured to authenticate a user of the mobile device to access patient related data stored in the communication adapter and / or the data storage unit of the implantable medical device. By authenticating the user of the mobile device, access to the implantable medical device can be restricted to only authenticated users. This provides an additional layer of security.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention, the communications adapter is adapted such that the energy source is replaceable or rechargeable, allowing ease of use and facilitating replacement of the energy source as required.

[0037] Features described herein of a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device are also disclosed as are computer-implemented methods for transferring data between the implantable medical device and a mobile device, and vice versa.

[0038] For a more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: The invention is explained in more detail hereinafter by means of exemplary embodiments specified in the schematic diagrams of the drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile device disposed within a protective cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 13 shows a schematic diagram of a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 shows a schematic diagram of the communications adapter of FIG. 4 for use with an implantable medical device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows a flow chart of a computer-implemented method for transferring data between an implantable medical device and a mobile device according to first to third embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The communications adapter 1 of FIG. 1 for use with an implantable medical device 10, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, for transferring data D1, D2 between the implantable medical device 10 and a mobile device 12, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, comprises a MICS telemetry interface 14 for data transfer between the communications adapter 1 and the implantable medical device 10.

[0041] The communication adapter 1 further comprises a communication and power supply interface 16, in particular a USB-OTG, USB-C, Lightning or Thunderbolt interface, for data transfer between the communication adapter 1 and the mobile device 12 and for power supply from the mobile device 12 to the communication adapter 1, a connector 18 for connecting to the mobile device 12, and a USB connector 19, in particular a USB port identical to the USB-OTG characterized USB port of the mobile device 12 such that a USB port, in particular a USB-C port, of the mobile device 12 is effectively replicated. In this way, it is possible, for example, to connect a USB cable to the mobile device 12 via the USB connector 19 for charging and / or data transfer. Alternatively, the port of the mobile device 12 can be a Lightning or Thunderbolt port.

[0042] The communications adapter 1 is powered via the communications and power supply interface 16. Furthermore, the communications adapter 1 is configured to transfer data D1 sent by the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 14 to the mobile device 12 via the communications and power supply interface 16, and to transfer data D2 sent by the mobile device 12 via the communications and power supply interface 16 to the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 14.

[0043] The communications adapter 1 is configured to connect the mobile device 12 with further devices 20, in particular charging devices, computing devices and / or data storage devices, by means of a USB, USB-OTG, Lightning or Thunderbolt connector.

[0044] The communications adapter 1 can be integrated into a protective case 22 of the mobile device 12, into a USB cable 122 or into a connector 222. The MICS telemetry interface 14 comprises a MICS band radio module 14a comprising an encryption unit 14a1, in particular a hardware and / or software based encryption unit 14a1, configured to encrypt communications between the MICS telemetry interface 14 and the implantable medical device 10.

[0045] The communications adapter 1 includes or is connected to at least a first MICS band antenna 28 and a second MICS band antenna 30. The first MICS band antenna 28 and the second MICS band antenna 30 are configured in a protective cover 22 and are arranged to extend from opposite sides of the muster adapter circuit board 21 and to follow along a vertical line, i.e., the longer side of the protective cover 22.

[0046] The communications adapter 1 comprises an authentication unit 14a2, in particular a hardware and / or software based authentication unit 14a2, configured to authenticate a user of the mobile device 12 to access patient-related data stored in the communications adapter 1 and / or the data storage unit 32 of the implantable medical device 10.

[0047] The communications adapter can be integrated into a protective case 22 of the mobile device 12. The protective case 22 comprises a frame, in particular made of an elastic material, that can be attached around an edge of the mobile device 12, in particular a smartphone or a tablet computer, and the communications adapter 1.

[0048] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile device 12 disposed within a protective cover 22 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The protective cover 22 has a larger dimension at the bottom of the mobile device so that a communications adapter can fit between the lower edge of the mobile device 12 and the inner edge of the protective cover 22.

[0049] 3 shows a schematic diagram of a communications adapter 101 for use with an implantable medical device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The communications adapter is integrated into a USB cable 122.

[0050] The USB cable 122 comprises the communications adapter 101, a connector 118 for connecting to the mobile device 12, and a USB connector 119, in particular a USB type A connector. The connector 118 can be, for example, a USB-C connector or a Lightning connector for compatibility with Apple products, or any other equivalent connector that provides power for the adapter and supports data exchange between the adapter and the mobile device.

[0051] The communications adapter 101 of FIG. 3 has the capability of transferring data D1, D2 between the implantable medical device 10 and the mobile device 12, and includes a MICS telemetry interface 114 for data transfer between the communications adapter 101 and the implantable medical device 10.

[0052] The communication adapter 101 further comprises a communication and power supply interface 16 for data transfer between the communication adapter 101 and the mobile device 12, and a connector 118 for connecting to the mobile device 12. The connector 118 is linked to the communication adapter 101 by means of a USB cable 122.

[0053] Additionally, a USB connector 119, in particular a USB type A connector, is connected to the communications adapter 101 by means of a USB cable 122. The USB cable 122 can then be connected to further devices 20, in particular a charging device, a computing device and / or a data storage device.

[0054] The communications adapter 101 is powered via the communications and power supply interface 16. Furthermore, the communications adapter 101 is configured to transfer data D1 sent by the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 114 to the mobile device 12 via the communications and power supply interface 16, and to transfer data D2 sent by the mobile device 12 via the communications and power supply interface 16 to the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 114.

[0055] The MICS telemetry interface 114 comprises a MICS band radio module 114a which comprises an encryption unit 114a1, in particular a hardware and / or software based encryption unit 114a1, configured to encrypt communications between the MICS telemetry interface 114 and the implantable medical device 10.

[0056] Communications adapter 101 includes or is connected to at least a first MICS band antenna 128 and a second MICS band antenna 130. First MICS band antenna 128 and second MICS band antenna 130 are disposed to extend along USB cable 122.

[0057] The communications adapter 101 comprises an authentication unit 114a2, in particular a hardware and / or software based authentication unit 114a2, configured to authenticate a user of the mobile device 12 to access patient-related data stored in the communications adapter 101 and / or the data storage unit 132 of the implantable medical device 10.

[0058] 4 shows a schematic diagram of a communications adapter 201 for use with an implantable medical device 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The communications adapter 201 is integrated into a connector 222.

[0059] The connector 222 comprises two USB connectors, a first USB connector adapted to plug into the mobile device 12 and a second USB connector providing an additional USB connector 219 identical to the USB port of the mobile device 12 such that the USB port of the mobile device is effectively duplicated. In doing so, it is possible, for example, to connect a USB cable to the mobile device 12 via the USB connector 19 for charging and / or data transfer.

[0060] 4 has the capability of transferring data D1, D2 between the implantable medical device 10 and the mobile device 12, and includes a MICS telemetry interface 214 for data transfer between the communication adapter 201 and the implantable medical device 10. The communication adapter 201 further includes a communication and power supply interface 16 for data transfer between the communication adapter 201 and the mobile device 12.

[0061] The communication adapter 201 is powered via the communication and power supply interface 16, for example using USB-OTG. Furthermore, the communication adapter 201 is configured to transfer data D1 sent by the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 214 to the mobile device 12 via the communication and power supply interface 16, for example using USB-OTG, and to transfer data D2 sent by the mobile device 12 via the communication and power supply interface 16 to the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 214.

[0062] The MICS telemetry interface 214 comprises a MICS band radio module 214a comprising an encryption unit 214a1, in particular a hardware and / or software based encryption unit 214a1, configured to encrypt communications between the MICS telemetry interface 214 and the implantable medical device 10.

[0063] The communications adapter 201 is connected to at least a first MICS band antenna 228 and a second MICS band antenna 230, where the first MICS band antenna 228 and the second MICS band antenna 230 are disposed on a surface of an adhesive film 234, which is attachable to the mobile device 12.

[0064] The communications adapter 201 further comprises an authentication unit 214a2, in particular a hardware and / or software based authentication unit 214a2, configured to authenticate a user of the mobile device 12 to access patient-related data stored in the communications adapter 201 and / or the data storage unit 232 of the implantable medical device 10.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a communications adapter for use with an implantable medical device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The connector 222 comprises a communications adapter 201. Furthermore, the connector 222 comprises a first antenna connection 218a to which a first MICS band antenna 228 can be connected, and a second antenna connection 218b to which a second MICS band antenna 230 can be connected.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a computer-implemented method for transferring data between an implantable medical device 10, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or neurostimulator, and a mobile device 12, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, using a communications adapter 1, 101, 201 according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] The method includes providing S1 a MICS telemetry interface 14, 114, 214 for data transfer between a communications adapter 1, 101, 201 and an implantable medical device 10.

[0069] The method further includes providing S2 a communication and power supply interface 16 for data transfer between the communication adapter 1, 101, 201 and the mobile device 12, where the communication adapter 1, 101, 201 transfers data S3 sent by the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 14, 114, 214 to the mobile device 12 via the communication and power supply interface 16, and transfers data S4 sent by the mobile device 12 via the communication and power supply interface 16 to the implantable medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 14, 114, 214. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1, 101, 201 Communication adapter 10 Implantable Medical Devices 12. Mobile Devices 14, 114, 214 MICS Telemetry Interface 14a, 114a, 214a MICS band radio module 14a1, 114a1, 214a1 encryption units 14a2, 114a2, 214a2 certified units 16 Communication and power supply interface 18, 118, 218, 222 Connectors 19, 119, 219 USB connectors 20 More Devices 21 Circuit Board 22 Protective Case 218a 1st antenna connection 218b Second Antenna Connection 122 USB cable 28, 128, 228 First MICS Band Antenna 30, 130, 230 Secondary MICS band antenna 32, 132, 232 data storage units 234 Adhesive Film D1, D2 data S1~S4 Method steps

Claims

1. A communications adapter (1, 101, 201) for use with an implantable medical device (10) for transferring data (D1, D2) between said implantable medical device (10) and a mobile device (12), comprising: a MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) for data transfer between said communications adapter (1, 101, 201) and said implantable medical device (10); a communication and power supply interface (16) for data transfer between the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) and the mobile device (12) and for power supply from the mobile device (12) to the communication adapter (1, 101, 201); a connector (18, 118, 222) for connecting to the mobile device (12), the communications adapter (1, 101, 201) being supplied with power via the communications and power supply interface (16), the communications adapter (1, 101, 201) being configured to transfer data (D1) sent by the implantable medical device (10) via the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) to the mobile device (12) via the communications and power supply interface (16) and to transfer data (D2) sent by the mobile device (12) via the communications and power supply interface (16) to the implantable medical device (10) via the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214); A communication adapter (1, 101, 201).

2. 2. The communication adapter of claim 1, wherein the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) is configured to connect a further device (20) and the mobile device (12) by means of a USB connector.

3. The communication adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) is capable of being integrated into a protective case (22), into a USB cable (122) or into a connector (222) of the mobile device (12).

4. 3. The communications adapter of claim 1, wherein the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) comprises a MICS band radio module (14a, 114a, 214a) comprising an encryption unit (14a1, 114a1, 214a1) configured to encrypt communications between the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) and the implantable medical device (10).

5. 3. A communications adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communications adapter (1, 101, 201) comprises or is connected to at least a first MICS band antenna (28, 128, 228) and a second MICS band antenna (30, 130, 230).

6. The communication adapter (1, 101, 201) of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an authentication unit (14a2, 114a2, 214a2) configured to authenticate a user of the mobile device (12) to access patient-related data stored in a data storage unit (32, 132, 232, 332) of the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) and / or the implantable medical device (10).

7. A protective case (22) for a mobile device (12) comprising a frame mountable around an edge of the mobile device (12) and the communications adapter (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A cable (122) comprising a further connector (119) and the communication adapter (101) according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A connector (222) comprising the communications adapter (201) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector (222) comprises a first antenna connection (218a) and a second antenna connection (218b).

10. 10. A communications adapter system comprising the connector (222) of claim 9 and an adhesive film (234) attachable to the mobile device (12), wherein a first MICS band antenna (228) and a second MICS band antenna (230) are disposed on a surface of the adhesive film (234).

11. A computer-implemented method for transferring data (D1, D2) between an implantable medical device (10) and a mobile device (12) using a communications adapter (1, 101, 201), comprising: providing (S1) a MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) for data transfer between said communications adapter (1, 101, 201) and said implantable medical device (10); providing (S2) a communication and power supply interface (16) for data transfer between the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) and the mobile device (12) and for power supply from the mobile device (12) to the communication adapter (1, 101, 201), the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) transferring data (S3) sent by the implantable medical device (10) via the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) to the mobile device (12) via the communication and power supply interface (16) and transferring data (S4) sent by the mobile device (12) via the communication and power supply interface (16) to the implantable medical device (10) via the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214); A method comprising:

12. 12. A computer program having a program code for performing the method according to claim 11, when said computer program is run on a computer.

13. A computer readable data carrier comprising a program code for a computer program for performing the method according to claim 11 when said computer program is run on a computer.

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