Integrated IMD Remote Care Interface for Secure Teleprogramming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices (IMDs) require programming in close proximity to a clinician, limiting the feasibility of remote patient care and telehealth services due to the lack of secure and efficient communication methods for remote therapy and programming.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for secure remote care therapy using a cloud-based service node to facilitate AV communication and IMD programming through integrated GUIs on patient and clinician controller devices, enabling secure and efficient remote therapy sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If implantable medical devices are programmed using short-range communication links in an in-person or in-clinic setting, then security against third-party unauthorized access is improved, but remote patient care and telehealth services cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote care service session as an intermediary layer between the clinician controller and the implantable medical device. This session manages communication through a network, allowing secure remote programming while maintaining security protocols. The intermediary handles authentication, authorization, and secure data transmission, enabling remote access without compromising device security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If longer range telemetry capabilities are advanced to enable remote communication, then remote patient care becomes feasible, but security risks from unauthorized third-party access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions before establishing remote communication sessions. The remote care service session validates the identities of clinicians and patients, establishes secure communication channels, and sets up access controls before any device programming or data transmission occurs. This preliminary security setup prevents unauthorized third-party access while enabling legitimate remote care.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate systems are used for AV communications and IMD programming, then each function can be optimized independently, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges AV communication functionality and IMD programming functionality into a single integrated remote care service session. The clinician controller and patient controller can simultaneously handle video/audio communication and device programming through the same interface and session management system. This integration simplifies the user experience by providing a unified interface while maintaining the ability to optimize each function independently through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and network architecture for facilitating remote care delivery involving a patient having an implantable medical device (IMD). Upon establishing a remote care session between a patient controller device and a clinician programmer, wherein the clinician and the patient are remotely located with respect to each other, telehealth consultation may be provided to the patient by the clinician via an audiovisual (AV) communications session channel. Responsive to determining that the patient requires remote therapy, one or more (re)programming instructions may be provided to the patient's IMD via a remote therapy session channel of the remote care session using an integrated graphical user interface (GUI) that may include suitable GUI controls for AV communications, remote session control as well as the remote programming of the patient's IMD.