Automated IMD Settings Transfer via External Programmer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges when replaced, as they lack historical patient data and device settings, requiring a new learning period and prone to human error during setting transfer, which can be inefficient and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
An external transfer device processes and conditions data from an explanted IMD to ensure seamless transfer to a replacement IMD, including data transformation and setting reconfiguration to maintain patient therapy efficacy without the need for a new learning period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual transfer of device settings is performed during IMD replacement, then device settings can be transferred to the new IMD, but human error occurs and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
An external programmer serves as an intermediary device that automatically extracts device settings from the explanted IMD via telemetry link and transfers them to the replacement IMD. This automated intermediary process eliminates manual transcription errors and significantly improves both the reliability and efficiency of settings transfer during IMD replacement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of all device settings, patient data, and configuration parameters from the explanted IMD and automatically replicates them in the replacement IMD. This copying approach ensures identical parameter transfer without human intervention, maintaining 100% accuracy while reducing the programming time from minutes to seconds.
2Reliability
If a new learning period is required for the replacement IMD, then the new device can be properly programmed, but patient therapy is interrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The external programmer performs preliminary actions by automatically transferring all necessary device settings, thresholds, and configuration parameters from the explanted IMD to the replacement IMD before patient discharge. This preliminary programming eliminates the need for a post-implantation learning period, allowing immediate resumption of effective therapy without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated settings transfer system ensures continuity of useful therapeutic action by maintaining identical device parameters between explanted and replacement IMDs. Patient therapy continues uninterrupted with the same efficacy, eliminating the gap that would otherwise occur during manual reprogramming and learning periods.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive patient data is transferred to the replacement IMD, then historical information is preserved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external programmer creates complete digital copies of all historical patient data, device settings, and operational parameters from the explanted IMD and transfers them to the replacement IMD. This automated copying process preserves 100% of historical information while eliminating the complexity of manual data processing, as the system handles all data extraction, validation, and transfer operations automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
This document discusses, among other things, methods and systems for facilitating automated device programming at changeout. A method comprises receiving, from a first device, physiological data at a temporary storage device; and processing the received physiological data, wherein the processing includes determining if a first signal processing function was used by the first device and substantially offsetting the first signal processing function if the first signal processing function was used by the first device; and processing the resultant physiological data to be compatible with a second device. The method further comprising providing the processed resultant physiological data to the second device.