Implantable Medical Device Wireless Handoff Between External Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems for implantable medical devices often result in unavailability issues when trying to connect a second external device, such as a clinician's programmer, due to continuous connection attempts by the first external device, leading to user experience problems and potential misinterpretation of the device as nonresponsive.

Innovation Solution

A method that activates a search mode in the implantable medical device to advertise availability and a blocking mode in the first external device, allowing the second device to connect by preventing reconnection attempts, enabling seamless handoff even when the first device is inaccessible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the first external device continuously maintains a wireless connection with the implantable medical device, then communication reliability is improved, but the implantable medical device becomes unavailable to a second external device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidavailability to multiple external devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connection management where the implantable medical device can switch between being connected to the first external device and being available for the second external device. The system dynamically adjusts connection states based on operational needs, allowing the device to be aggressively connected during normal operation but available for clinician access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the first external device connection in advance for continuous monitoring, but pre-configures the capability to quickly transition to second external device access. This allows the system to maintain reliable communication while being prepared for clinician intervention without requiring manual disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the first external device aggressively attempts to reconnect when the wireless connection is dropped, then communication reliability is improved, but it prevents the second external device from connecting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of connecting second external device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a mechanism where the first external device's aggressive reconnection attempts are preemptively controlled or suppressed when clinician access is needed. The system anticipates the need for second external device connection and prevents the first device from blocking it, rather than allowing conflict and then resolving it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The implantable medical device itself acts as an intermediary that manages the connection dynamics between the two external devices. It controls which external device can connect based on operational state, mediating between the patient's continuous monitoring needs and the clinician's periodic access needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the implantable medical device supports simultaneous communication with two external devices, then availability to multiple devices is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous multi-device communicationVSAvoidimplantable pulse generator complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of supporting truly simultaneous communication with multiple external devices, the system uses periodic action by switching between connection states. The implantable device alternates between being connected to the first external device for continuous monitoring and being available for the second external device for clinician access, achieving multi-device support through time-division rather than spatial-division multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11376440B2Method for managing a wireless communication between an implantable medical device and at least two external devices

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG

AI summary

A method for managing a wireless communication between an implantable medical device and at least two external devices includes associating the implantable medical device with a first external device so as to enable communication between the first external device and the implantable medical device via a wireless connection, and activating a search mode of the implantable medical device. In the search mode, the implantable medical device wirelessly sends out an advertising message that indicates its availability for association with at least a second external device. A blocking mode of the first external device is activated in response to the activation of the search mode of the implantable medical device. In the blocking mode, the first external device is disconnected from the implantable medical device and does not attempt to connect with the implantable medical device.