Remote Programming Implantable Medical Devices via Relay Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for programming implantable medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, require close proximity between the programming device and the patient, limiting patient mobility and necessitating visits to a healthcare facility for reprogramming.
Innovation Solution
A patient intermediary device equipped with relay station functionality allows for remote programming of implantable medical devices by transmitting programming instructions wirelessly, eliminating the need for simultaneous proximity between the programming device and the patient, using authentication and verification units to ensure secure and compatible programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a programming device is used for reprogramming the implant via wireless data communication, then the device can be programmed remotely, but the programming device and implant must be in close spatial proximity which restricts patient mobility and necessitates visits to healthcare facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a patient intermediary device as a relay station between the programming device and the implantable medical device. The intermediary device receives programming instructions from the programming device via a first interface (e.g., wireless network connection) and transmits them to the implant via a second interface (e.g., telemetry connection). This intermediary approach enables remote programming without requiring the programming device and implant to be in close proximity, thus resolving the contradiction between programming convenience and patient mobility.
2Reliability
If the patient visits the physician or hospital for programming, then the programming device can directly transmit the program to the implant, but this creates burden and restricts patient mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patient intermediary device serves as a mediator that enables reliable program transmission without requiring the patient to physically visit the physician. The intermediary device maintains communication links with both the programming device and the implant, ensuring reliable data transfer while allowing the patient to remain at home or in a comfortable location, thus reducing patient burden while maintaining programming reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows programming instructions to be prepared and transmitted to the intermediary device in advance, which then relays them to the implant when the patient is in range. This preliminary action enables programming to occur without requiring the patient to be present at the physician's location at the same time, reducing the burden of coordinated scheduling and travel.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a relay station functionality is added to the patient intermediary device, then remote programming becomes possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient intermediary device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a telemetry data transmission device and as a relay station for programming instructions. By equipping the existing intermediary device with additional relay functionality (first interface for receiving programs, second interface for transmitting to implant), the patent enables remote programming without requiring a completely new device, thus managing complexity while achieving versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system and a method for the remote programming of a programmable personal medical device (10, 10′), in particular an implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or the like, selecting (61) of a personal medical device, compiling (63) of a programming instruction (50) by accepting inputs of a user, and checking (63) the inputs for plausibility and compatibility with the personal medical device in a programming device (20), transmitting (65) the programming instruction to a patient intermediary device (30) tuned to the personal medical device via at least one indirect connection, receiving (67) of the programming instruction by the patient intermediary device, and transmitting of the programming instruction to the personal medical device, and accepting (69) of the programming instruction by a programmable controller of the personal medical device being provided.