IMD Telemetry Authorization to Prevent Battery Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges with telemetry overuse due to unauthorized devices initiating sessions, leading to premature battery depletion, which is a hurdle in achieving efficient power management and extending the lifespan of these devices.
Innovation Solution
Implantable devices are equipped with authorization components to determine if external devices are authorized, disabling telemetry connections with unauthorized devices and regulating communication to prevent battery drainage, using protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and tracking telemetry usage to manage power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telemetry communication is enabled between implantable device and external devices, then monitoring and data exchange capabilities are improved, but power source lifespan deteriorates due to unauthorized devices depleting the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing an authorization mechanism before telemetry communication occurs. The implantable device pre-configures authorized external devices through a pairing process, storing their identifiers in memory. This preliminary authorization prevents unauthorized devices from initiating telemetry sessions that would drain the battery, thus protecting power source lifespan while maintaining telemetry functionality with legitimate devices.
2Loss of information
If telemetry connection is established with external devices, then data exchange is improved, but power consumption increases leading to battery drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring telemetry session status and authorization credentials. The implantable device checks whether each incoming telemetry request comes from an authorized device stored in memory, and terminates sessions that exceed predefined parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures data exchange occurs only with authorized devices and within safe energy consumption limits, preventing unnecessary battery drainage while maintaining essential communication.
3Ease of operation
If device allows public telemetry protocols, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates allowing unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an authorization layer between the public telemetry protocol and the implantable device's internal systems. External devices must present valid authorization credentials (device identifiers, cryptographic keys) stored during a controlled pairing process. The implantable device verifies these credentials before establishing telemetry sessions, acting as a gatekeeper that allows easy access for authorized devices while blocking unauthorized access attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media facilitating telemetry overuse reduction in a medical device, such as an implantable medical device (“IMD”) are provided. In one embodiment, an IMD includes a housing configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient, a memory and circuitry within the housing and a processor that executes executable components stored in the memory. The executable components include: a communication component configured to establish a telemetry connection with an external device to communicate data associated with sensed physiological data or therapy; and an authorization component configured to determine whether the external device is authorized to communicate with the IMD, wherein the communication component is further configured to disable the telemetry connection with the external device and prevent additional communication with the external device for a defined period of time based on a determination that the external device fails to be authorized to communicate with the IMD.