Communication Module for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial off-the-shelf devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are not compatible with implantable medical devices due to differing communication standards, leading to the need for custom-designed devices that are costly and limit availability to only medical professionals.
Innovation Solution
Adapting commercial devices with custom-designed communication modules that allow them to interface with implantable medical devices, enabling wireless communication and providing a user-friendly interface for patients and healthcare providers, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed electronic devices are used to communicate with implantable medical devices, then communication compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A communication module serving as an intermediary device is introduced between the implantable medical device and the host electronic device. This module contains a receiver tuned to the specific frequency band (e.g., 401-402 MHz or 405-406 MHz) used by the implantable device, while also providing standard communication interfaces (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular) for connection to commercial electronic devices. This intermediary approach enables compatibility without requiring custom design of entire devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module is designed to support multiple communication standards and frequency bands simultaneously, enabling it to interface with various types of implantable medical devices and connect to different host devices (smartphones, tablets, computers). This multi-functional design allows a single module to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If custom-designed devices are minimized to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but availability to non-medical professionals is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent components: the implantable medical device and the external communication module. The communication module can be separately manufactured and distributed as a standalone accessory that attaches to various host devices. This segmentation allows the communication capability to be widely distributed without requiring custom-designed complete devices for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module acts as a bridge that enables standard commercial devices to interface with implantable medical devices. By placing this intermediary component in the public domain rather than requiring custom-designed end devices, the system makes medical device communication capabilities accessible to patients and healthcare providers without specialized training or equipment.
3Ease of manufacture
If commercial off-the-shelf devices are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but communication compatibility with medical devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module merges two previously separate functions into a single device: the ability to receive communications from implantable medical devices on specialized frequency bands and the ability to communicate with standard commercial electronic devices through common interfaces. This combination allows commercial off-the-shelf devices to gain medical device compatibility without sacrificing their existing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module is designed with universal interfaces supporting multiple communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, USB) in addition to the medical device interface. This multi-functionality allows a single module to work with various host devices and implantable devices, maintaining cost-effectiveness while achieving broad compatibility.
4Use of energy by moving object
If proprietary communication schemes are used for implantable devices, then power consumption is reduced, but interoperability with commercial devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is divided into two segments: the implantable device uses a low-power proprietary scheme on specialized frequency bands (401-402 MHz or 405-406 MHz), while the external communication module handles high-power communications with host devices using standard protocols. This segmentation allows the implantable device to minimize power consumption while the external module provides the necessary interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module serves as an intermediary that translates between the low-power proprietary communication scheme used by the implantable device and the higher-power standard communication protocols used by commercial devices. This translation layer preserves the power efficiency benefits for the implantable device while achieving full interoperability with commercial electronics.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for interfacing with a medical device having a host device and a communication module. The host device has a user interface configured to input and display information relating to the interfacing with the medical device. The communication module is locally coupled to the host device and configured to communicate wirelessly with the medical device. The system, implemented by the host device and the communication module, is configured to communicate with the medical device with functions. The system, implemented by at least one of the host device and the communication module, has a security condition. At least one of the functions is disabled, at least in part, from operating on the system based upon the security condition.