Implantable Device Identification via Electromagnetic Waveform Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in emergency medical situations is the inability to quickly identify and communicate with implantable medical devices from different manufacturers, leading to delays in treatment due to the need for manufacturer-specific programmers and on-call representative networks, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A medical device identifier that uses a coil and computer subsystem to generate and analyze electromagnetic waveforms, comparing them to digital templates to identify the device manufacturer through cross-correlation, allowing for rapid recognition and potential communication without requiring specific programmers or on-call representatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manufacturer-specific programmers are kept on hand to identify and communicate with different implantable medical devices, then the ability to communicate with various device manufacturers is improved, but the time required to try all programmers in sequence increases treatment delays
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable medical device automatically transmits its own identification information (manufacturer, model, serial number) to the programmer through electromagnetic coupling. This self-service approach eliminates the need for emergency room personnel to manually test multiple programmers, as the device itself provides the identification data needed for rapid communication establishment.
2Reliability
If a network of on-call manufacturer representatives is maintained to assist with device-related issues, then the quality of technical support is improved, but the cost of providing this network increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The universal programmer acts as an intermediary device that can communicate with implantable devices from multiple manufacturers using a standardized interface. This eliminates the need for each manufacturer to maintain separate on-call representative networks, as the universal programmer handles the initial identification and communication setup, allowing technical support to be more efficiently organized.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmer is designed with universal functionality to work with implantable medical devices from any manufacturer. It includes a library of identification protocols and communication interfaces that can adapt to different device types, making it unnecessary to have manufacturer-specific programmers or dedicated representative networks for each device type.
3Measurement precision
If chest x-ray is ordered to identify the pacemaker make and model, then the device identification accuracy is improved, but the time required for treatment is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/radiological method of device identification (chest x-ray) with an electromagnetic field-based identification system. The programmer uses electromagnetic coupling to directly query the implantable device for its identification information, providing accurate manufacturer and model data without requiring radiological imaging.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables prompt identification and potential communication with implantable medical devices from various manufacturers, reducing treatment delays and eliminating the need for extensive on-call networks, thereby making it more feasible for manufacturers to enter new markets.
Implementation Method 1
a coil and a computer subsystem. The computer subsystem includes a processor and memory, the memory holding instructions executable by the processor and also holding a plurality of digitized waveforms. The medical device identifier further includes a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the processor, drive circuitry coupled to the coil and the digital-to-analog converter, and receiver circuitry coupled to the coil and the computer subsystem. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the medical device identifier to sequentially excite the coil, via the digital-to-analog converter and the drive circuitry, to generate electromagnetic waveforms
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~5
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
A medical device identifier can identify an implanted medical device. In one example arrangement, the medical device identifier sends electromagnetic signals to the implanted device according to one or more stored digitized waveforms. The device then senses any returned electromagnetic signals, and identifies the implanted device based on the returned electromagnetic signals. The medical device identifier may generate the electromagnetic signals from the stored digitized waveforms using an analog-to-digital converter, and may compare the returned electromagnetic signals with one or more stored digital templates corresponding to different device manufacturers. The comparison may be performed using cross correlation. In another aspect, a portal device includes an identification subsystem for identifying the provider of a medical device, and a communication subsystem for establishing two-way communication a call center servicing medical devices from an identified provider. The portal device may relay information between the medical device and the identified provider.