Communication adapter and method for transferring data

Abstract

We provide implantable medical devices, computer implementation methods for their use, protective cases, cables, connectors, computer programs, and computer-readable data carriers. [Solution] The present invention relates to communication adapters 1, 101, 201, and a computer implementation method for use with an implantable medical device 10, particularly a pacemaker, defibrillator, and / or nerve stimulator, for transferring data D1, D2 between the implantable medical device 10 and a mobile device 12, particularly a smartphone or tablet. In addition, the present invention relates to a protective case 22, a cable 122, and a connector 222, each comprising a communication adapter 1, 101, 201.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication adapter for use with an implantable medical device for transferring data between an implantable medical device, particularly a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a heart monitor and / or a nerve stimulator, and a mobile device, particularly a smartphone or a tablet computer.

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

[0003] In addition, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for transferring data between an implantable medical device, particularly a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a heart monitor and / or a nerve stimulator, and a mobile device, particularly a smartphone or a tablet computer, using a communication adapter.

Background Art

[0004] EP1762955A1 discloses a portable mobile medical or therapeutic device 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, particularly a device for diagnosing or treating glucose metabolism disorders, and a communication adapter for use therewith, 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 communication adapter, and wherein the communication adapter comprises an adapter processor for controlling the communication adapter, an adapter device interface for communication of the communication 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 having an associated transmission protocol.

[0005] Implant systems that can communicate with mobile devices such as smartphones typically feature a Bluetooth® low-energy interface.

[0006] The disadvantages of the Bluetooth® Low Energy Interface in implants are, on the one hand, the increased power consumption of this telemetry function, especially when connections are frequently established, and on the other hand, the changing standardization of the Bluetooth® Low Energy transmission protocol on the smartphone side over time and the potential for interruptions.

[0007] Therefore, there is a risk that a suitable smartphone capable of communicating with the implant's Bluetooth® Low Energy Interface may not be available for the implant's operating life, which is typically 15 years. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] EP1762955A1 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved communication adapter for use with implantable medical devices that offer low energy consumption and can communicate with the implant interface throughout their operating life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The objective is solved by a communication adapter for use with an implantable medical device, particularly a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor, and / or nerve stimulator, to transfer data between the implantable medical device and a mobile device, particularly a smartphone or tablet computer having the features of claim 1.

[0011] This objective is further addressed 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] In addition, this objective is solved by a computer-aided method for transferring data between an implantable medical device, particularly a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or nerve stimulator, and a mobile device, particularly a smartphone or tablet computer, using a communication adapter having the features of claim 11.

[0013] Furthermore, this objective is solved by a computer program having the features of claim 12 and 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 communication adapter for use with implantable medical devices, particularly pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiac monitors, and / or nerve stimulators, to transfer data between the implantable medical device and a mobile device, particularly a smartphone or tablet computer.

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

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

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention provides a protective case for a mobile device, particularly a smartphone or tablet computer, comprising a frame made of a particularly elastic material and a communication adapter of the present invention, which can be attached around the edges of the mobile device.

[0019] In addition, the present invention provides a cable comprising connectors, particularly USB Type A, USB-OTG, USB-C, mini USB, micro USB, Lightning, or Thunderbolt connectors, 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 nerve stimulator, and a mobile device, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, using a communication adapter.

[0021] This method includes providing a MICS telemetry interface for data transfer between a communication adapter and an implantable medical device.

[0022] The method further includes providing a communication and power supply interface for data transfer between a communication adapter and a mobile device, where the communication adapter transfers data sent via the MICS telemetry interface by an implantable medical device to the mobile device via the communication and power supply interface, and transfers data sent by the mobile device via the communication 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 a mobile device to the communication standard of an implantable medical device, namely MICS band telemetry. Using MICS band telemetry, an implantable medical device can thereby easily and cheaply communicate with a mobile device such as a smartphone throughout the operating 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., for the treatment of Parkinson's disease or depression). The treatment consists of the delivery of a pulse train (120) that does not collect diagnostic data from the stimulator.

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

[0026] An example of an implant having a treatment and diagnostic function is, for example, a cardiac pacemaker. The pacemaker is usually implanted subcutaneously in the upper right chest, and the electrodes are placed in the patient's heart via the large vein. The treatment function consists of delivering a stimulation pulse to trigger the movement of the heart, on condition that the patient has no spontaneous heart movement. The diagnostic function consists, for example, of continuous recording of the patient's ECG and automatic evaluation of abnormalities in the heartbeat rhythm. When such an abnormality is 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 can be realized using USB On-The-Go (USB-OTG).

[0028] USB-OTG is a specification that enables other USB devices, such as USB drives, digital cameras or keyboards, to be attached to a USB device, such as a tablet or smartphone, enabling the USB device to function as a host. A smartphone can read from removable media as a host, but can present itself as a (USB mass storage) device when connected to a host computer. USB-OTG introduces the concept of a device that performs both the roles of host and device - whenever two USB devices are connected and one of them is a USB-OTG device, they establish a communication link. The device 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, the master device, or host, sets up communication with the device and handles service provisioning (the host's software enables or performs the necessary data processing). This allows the communication and power supply interfaces (device / peripheral) to be significantly simplified compared to the host (tablet or smartphone).

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the communication adapter is configured to connect a mobile device to further devices, in particular a charging device, a computing device, and / or a data storage device, via a USB connector.

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

[0032] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the communication adapter can be integrated into the protective case of the mobile device, the cable, or the connector. In this way, the communication and power supply 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 present invention, the MICS telemetry interface comprises a MICS band radio module equipped with an encryption unit, particularly a hardware and / or software-based encryption unit, configured to encrypt communication between the MICS telemetry interface and an implantable medical device. Thus, communication between a mobile device and an implantable medical device can be made more secure.

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

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

[0036] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the communication adapter is made such that the energy source is replaceable or rechargeable. This allows for ease of use and facilitates the replacement of the energy source as needed.

[0037] The features described herein of a communication adapter for use with an implantable medical device also disclose a computer implementation method for transferring data between an implantable medical device and a mobile device, and vice versa.

[0038] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, the following description, as understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is herein by reference. The present invention will be described in further detail below using exemplary embodiments as specified in the schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of an implantable medical device and a communication adapter for use according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of a mobile device placed inside a protective cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of an implantable medical device and a communication adapter for use according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of an implantable medical device and a communication adapter for use according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a communication adapter for use with an implantable medical device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A flowchart shows a computer implementation method for transferring data between an implantable medical device and a mobile device according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] The communication adapter 1 shown in Figure 1 for use with an implantable medical device 10, particularly a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or nerve stimulator, to transfer data D1, D2 between the implantable medical device 10 and a mobile device 12, particularly a smartphone or tablet computer, comprises a MICS telemetry interface 14 for data transfer between the communication adapter 1 and the implantable medical device 10.

[0041] The communication adapter 1 further includes a communication and power supply interface 16 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, in particular a USB-OTG, USB-C, Lightning, or Thunderbolt interface; a connector 18 for connecting to the mobile device 12; and a USB connector 19, in particular a USB port identical to the USB port of the mobile device 12 characterized for USB-OTG, so as to effectively replicate the USB port of the mobile device 12, in particular a USB-C port. In this way, for example, a USB cable can be connected to the mobile device 12 via the USB connector 19 for charging and / or data transfer. Alternatively, the port of the mobile device 12 may be a Lightning or Thunderbolt port.

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

[0043] The communication adapter 1 is configured to connect the mobile device 12 to additional devices 20, in particular charging devices, computing devices and / or data storage devices, via USB, USB-OTG, Lightning, or Thunderbolt connectors.

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

[0045] The communication adapter 1 comprises, 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 made in the form of a protective cover 22 and are arranged to extend from both sides of the circuit board 21 of the communication adapter and to continue along the vertical line, i.e., the longer side of the protective cover 22.

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

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

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

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

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

[0051] The communication adapter 101 in Figure 3 has the capability to transfer data D1 and D2 between the implanted medical device 10 and the mobile device 12, and includes a MICS telemetry interface 114 for data transfer between the communication adapter 101 and the implanted medical device 10.

[0052] The communication adapter 101 further includes 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 using a USB cable 122.

[0053] In addition, the USB connector 119, in particular a USB Type-A connector, is connected to the communication adapter 101 using a USB cable 122. This allows the USB cable 122 to be connected to further devices 20, in particular a charging device, a computing device, and / or a data storage device.

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

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

[0056] The communication adapter 101 includes, or is connected to, at least a first MICS band antenna 128 and a second MICS band antenna 130. The first MICS band antenna 128 and the second MICS band antenna 130 are arranged to extend along the USB cable 122.

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

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

[0059] Connector 222 comprises two USB connectors: a first USB connector designed 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, so as to effectively duplicate the USB port of the mobile device. In this way, for example, a USB cable can be connected to the mobile device 12 via USB connector 19 for charging and / or data transfer.

[0060] The communication adapter 201 in Figure 4 has the capability to transfer data D1 and D2 between the implanted 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 implanted 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 implanted 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 implanted medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interface 214.

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

[0063] The communication 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 positioned on the surface of an adhesive film 234, which can be attached to a mobile device 12.

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

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

[0066] Connector 222 includes a communication adapter 201. Furthermore, connector 222 includes 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] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a computer implementation method for transferring data between an implantable medical device 10, in particular a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiac monitor and / or nerve stimulator, and a mobile device 12, in particular a smartphone or tablet computer, using communication adapters 1, 101 and 201 according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] This method includes providing MICS telemetry interfaces 14, 114, 214 for data transfer between communication adapters 1, 101, 201 and an implantable medical device 10.

[0069] Furthermore, the method includes S2 providing a communication and power supply interface 16 for data transfer between communication adapters 1, 101, 201 and a mobile device 12, where the communication adapters 1, 101, 201 transfer data S3 sent by the implanted medical device 10 via MICS telemetry interfaces 14, 114, 214 to the mobile device 12 via the communication and power supply interface 16, and transfer data S4 sent by the mobile device 12 via the communication and power supply interface 16 to the implanted medical device 10 via the MICS telemetry interfaces 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 wireless modules 14a1, 114a1, 214a1 encryption units 14a2, 114a2, 214a2 Authentication Unit 16. Communication and power supply interfaces 18, 118, 218, 222 connectors 19, 119, 219 USB connectors 20 Further devices 21 Circuit board 22 Protective Cases 218a First antenna connection 218b Second antenna connection 122 USB Cable 28, 128, 228 First MICS band antenna 30, 130, 230 Second MICS band antenna 32, 132, 232 data storage units 234 Adhesive film D1, D2 data Steps of the method (S1-S4)

Claims

1. A communication adapter (1, 101, 201) for use with an implantable medical device (10) for transferring data (D1, D2) between the implantable medical device (10) and a mobile device (12), MICS telemetry interfaces (14, 114, 214) for data transfer between the communication adapters (1, 101, 201) and the 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), wherein the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) is powered via the communication and power supply interface (16), and the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) is 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 communication and power supply interface (16), 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 (14, 114, 214), and A communication adapter (1, 101, 201) is provided.

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

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

4. The communication adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) comprises a MICS band wireless module (14a, 114a, 214a) having an encryption unit (14a1, 114a1, 214a1) configured to encrypt communication between the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) and the implantable medical device (10).

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

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

7. A protective case (22) for the mobile device (12), comprising a frame that can be attached around the edge of the mobile device (12) and the communication 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 communication adapter (201) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector (222) comprises a first antenna connection (218a) and a second antenna connection (218b).

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

11. A computer implementation method for transferring data (D1, D2) between an implantable medical device (10) and a mobile device (12) using communication adapters (1, 101, 201), Step (S1) provides a MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214) for data transfer between the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) and the implantable medical device (10), Step (S2) of providing 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), wherein the communication adapter (1, 101, 201) transfers data (S3) sent by the implanted 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 implanted medical device (10) via the MICS telemetry interface (14, 114, 214). Methods that include...

12. A computer program having program code for performing the method described in claim 11 when the computer program is executed on a computer.

13. A computer-readable data carrier comprising program code of a computer program for performing the method described in claim 11 when the computer program is executed on a computer.

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