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 message processing due to limited computational resources and power constraints, leading to potential overload and reduced longevity, especially in leadless pacemakers.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a processor state field in response messages to indicate processing status and a sequence field in request messages to manage command sequencing, ensuring efficient data transfer by avoiding unnecessary requests and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If more power/energy is incorporated within the IMD through larger batteries, then device longevity is extended, but the physical size of the IMD increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex communication management functions from the IMD processor and relocates them to the external device. This includes implementing the communication protocol handler, message formatter, and data processor in the external device, allowing the IMD processor to operate in a simplified, low-power mode while maintaining extended device longevity without increasing size
2Adaptability or versatility
If the IMD processor handles all communication management routines, then communication functionality is comprehensive, but power consumption increases and longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Communication management functions are extracted from the IMD processor and implemented in the external device, including the communication protocol handler (110), message formatter (108), and data processor (106). This allows the IMD processor to operate with minimal power consumption while the external device handles complex communication tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system where the external device acts as a mediator between the IMD and the external environment. The external device receives, formats, and processes messages before transmitting them to the IMD, reducing the processing burden on the IMD processor and thereby reducing its power consumption
3Productivity
If the external device sends repeated requests without knowing IMD processing status, then data access is maximized, but the IMD processor becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the IMD processor sends status information to the external device indicating whether it is currently processing a request. The external device uses this feedback to determine whether to send new requests or wait, preventing processor overload while maintaining efficient data transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The external device checks the processing status of the IMD processor before sending new requests. This preliminary action ensures that requests are only sent when the processor is ready, avoiding overload conditions and ensuring reliable communication
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.