Implantable Medical Device Messaging With Processor-State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in managing communication and data processing due to limited computational resources and power constraints, leading to potential overload and reduced longevity, especially when larger batteries are used to increase energy capacity, which can compromise device size and clinical efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A communication system for IMDs that includes a processor state field in response messages to indicate processing status, allowing the external device to pause requests when the IMD is busy, and a sequence field in request messages to manage command sequencing, ensuring efficient data transfer without overwhelming the IMD's resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IMD processes all incoming requests from the external device, then complete data transfer is achieved, but the limited computational resources and power supply become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a request queue mechanism where incoming requests are buffered and managed in a structured manner before processing. The external device maintains a queue of requests and transmits them to the IMD in a controlled sequence, preventing resource overload by ensuring the IMD processes requests at its own pace rather than being overwhelmed by simultaneous incoming data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs acknowledgment messages where the IMD confirms receipt and processing status of each request to the external device. This feedback mechanism allows the external device to monitor the IMD's processing capacity and adjust its request transmission rate accordingly, ensuring complete data transfer while respecting the IMD's power and computational constraints
2Duration of action of moving object
If a larger battery is used to increase energy capacity, then device longevity is extended, but the physical size of the IMD increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective data transmission where only essential and time-critical data are transmitted immediately, while non-urgent data are deferred or transmitted in condensed formats. This partial action approach reduces the overall communication burden and power consumption, extending device longevity without requiring a larger battery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic communication intervals where data transmission occurs at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The IMD and external device synchronize their communication schedules, allowing the IMD to enter low-power states between transmissions. This periodic action significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining necessary data transfer completeness
3Reliability
If communication requests are transmitted continuously to ensure data completeness, then data transfer reliability improves, but request congestion and bandwidth overload occur
Solution Approach 1:
The external device prepares and queues communication requests in advance based on predicted data needs and IMD capabilities. By organizing requests into a structured queue before transmission, the system avoids chaotic continuous transmission and enables more efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining data completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic communication scheduling where transmission intervals and data volumes are adjusted in real-time based on IMD processing status, battery level, and data priority. This dynamic approach optimizes bandwidth usage by transmitting more data when the IMD is ready and less data when resources are constrained, maintaining reliability without causing congestion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a communication system for a wireless message transfer between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external device. A communication system is disclosed that effectively throttles/manages messages in a limited resource communication scheme, wherein the IMD is configured to monitor the health status of a patient and/or configured to deliver a therapy signal to the patient, wherein the IMD comprises a processor and a transceiver module configured to bi-directionally exchange the messages with the external device, wherein the processor adopts at least a predefined active state and a predefined processing state, wherein the processor of the IMD is configured to produce response messages in order to send these response messages from the transceiver module to the external device. The invention is further directed to a respective communication method, computer program product and computer readable data carrier.