Implantable Medical Device Timing-Based Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in coordinated communication and activation, particularly due to energy limitations and the burden of patient interaction, leading to potential miscommunication and adverse consequences.

Innovation Solution

The use of internal timers and low-power oscillators in IMDs to coordinate inter-device communications, allowing satellite devices to wake up at scheduled times and exchange data with a coordinating device, which also manages the integration of new devices into the network and adjusts timing corrections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple IMDs are implanted to perform various functions, then system robustness and data collection capability are improved, but patient burden for activation and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem robustnessVSAvoidpatient burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The IMD system performs self-activation through automatic wake-up scheduling and inter-device communication. Satellite IMDs autonomously wake up at scheduled times to communicate with the coordinating IMD without requiring patient activation, allowing the system to serve itself while maintaining robustness across multiple devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinating IMD pre-establishes wake-up schedules and communication protocols for satellite IMDs before they are needed. This preliminary configuration allows satellite devices to automatically activate at predetermined times and locations, eliminating the need for real-time patient intervention while ensuring system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If IMDs use internal power sources for wireless communication, then communication capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The IMD system employs periodic communication cycles where satellite devices wake up at scheduled intervals to exchange data with the coordinating IMD, then return to low-power sleep mode. This periodic operation pattern enables necessary wireless communication while dramatically reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of satellite IMDs, transitioning between active communication modes and low-power sleep modes based on scheduled requirements. This dynamic state management allows the devices to maintain communication capability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during non-critical periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If satellite IMDs wake up frequently to check for commands, then response time is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Satellite IMDs are configured to wake up at predetermined periodic intervals rather than continuously monitoring for commands. This periodic wake-up schedule maintains adequate response time for therapeutic functions while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinating IMD pre-calculates and communicates wake-up schedules to satellite devices in advance. This preliminary action allows satellite IMDs to wake up only when necessary to check for commands, optimizing the balance between response time and energy consumption without requiring frequent wake-ups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8374693B2Systems and methods for timing-based communication between implantable medical devices

Publication Date: 2013.02.12 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

A method carried out by an implantable medical device (IMD) for coordinating performance of one or more designated functions includes waiting in a low-power state for a predetermined event, detecting the predetermined event, and, responsive to detecting the predetermined event, searching for a wake-up command from a coordinating device implanted in the human body. The method further includes, receiving the wake-up command, and responsive to receiving the wake-up command, performing the one or more designated functions, and returning to the low-power state. A system includes a network of one or more implantable medical devices (IMDs) implanted in a human body. The system includes a satellite IMD operable to change between a plurality of power states, search for a wake-up command, and transmit an identification signal. The system may include a primary unit operable to receive the signal and coordinate a wake-up time based on the signal.