Software Configurable Medical Device Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, require significant effort to design, test, and update due to their custom circuitry, making it difficult to implement new therapies and diagnostic information, especially in implanted devices that need surgical procedures for modifications.
Innovation Solution
A software-configurable medical device platform using a general-purpose processor with interface circuitry, allowing for modular and reconfigurable architecture that can simulate, test, and implement new therapies without physical modifications to the hardware, using software modules for processing feedback data to provide electrical stimulation and other therapies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom circuitry is used in medical devices, then reliability and power efficiency are improved, but adaptability and ease of updating new therapies deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software models that replicate the functionality of custom circuitry without requiring physical hardware copies. Software modules can be updated and modified to implement new therapies while maintaining the reliable control functions of custom circuits through virtual modeling and simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical custom circuitry with software-based control systems. General-purpose processors execute software modules that perform functions previously requiring dedicated hardware circuits, enabling easy updates and new therapy implementations without physical modifications to the device.
2Use of energy by moving object
If custom circuitry is used in medical devices, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of testing new therapies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal software platform that can perform multiple functions including therapy delivery, diagnostics, and testing. The same general-purpose processor and software infrastructure support both clinical operations and development activities, reducing the need for separate testing hardware and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software models and virtual prototypes to replicate device functionality for testing purposes. This allows comprehensive testing of new therapies and algorithms in a virtual environment before implementation in the actual device, reducing the complexity of physical prototyping and testing infrastructure.
3Volume of moving object
If custom circuitry is used in implanted medical devices, then space efficiency is improved, but ease of repair and updating deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic software architecture that can be reconfigured and updated after device implantation. Software modules can be remotely programmed and modified to adapt to new therapies or correct issues without requiring surgical intervention, making the device dynamically adaptable while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software copies and virtual models to represent device functionality, allowing updates and repairs to be performed by loading new software versions rather than physically replacing or modifying hardware components. This maintains small device size while dramatically improving ease of repair and updating.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to medical devices such as pacemakers, pulse generators, cardioverter-defibrillators and the like and more particularly relates to modular and reconfigurable medical system platforms and methods of designing, testing, controlling and implementing diverse therapies, diagnostics, physiologic sensors and related instrumentation using said medical system platforms. Methods, systems and devices provide a new design platform for implantable and external medical devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, heart monitors, etc. A real-time, highly flexible system of software and hardware modules enables both prototypes and products to respond to patient and customer needs with greater design and manufacturing efficiency. Certain embodiments integrate a general-purpose processor with interface circuitry to provide a standard platform for implementing new and conventional therapies with software models rather than custom circuitry. The platform described may be used as a simulation environment, development and test platform and/or may be used as architecture for building new medical devices.