Medical management system integrated programming apparatus for communication with an implantable medical device

Abstract

An implantable medical device communication system includes an implantable medical device, a medical information management system, and a module interface apparatus for facilitating communication therebetween. The implantable medical device includes transmitter/receiver circuitry coupled to a device antenna. The medical information management system includes at least a computer processing unit and a display unit. The module interface apparatus includes interface receiver/transmitter circuitry coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the device transmitter/receiver circuitry via the device antenna. Further, the module interface apparatus includes interface circuitry operable to adapt data (e.g., programming commands) received from the medical information management system for transmittal to the implantable medical device and adapt data received from the implantable medical device (e.g., device data including operational data, physiological parameter data, analyzed data, diagnostic data, etc.) such as to communicate such information to the medical information management system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An implantable medical device communication system, the system comprising: 
 an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least one of a device transmitter and device receiver coupled to a device antenna;    a medical information management system, wherein the medical information management system includes at least a computer processing unit and a display unit; and    at least one module interface apparatus, wherein the at least one module interface apparatus includes: 
 at least one of an interface receiver and an interface transmitter coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the at least one of the device transmitter and the device receiver via the device antenna, and  
 interface circuitry operable to at least one of adapt data received from the medical information management system for provision to the interface transmitter to communicate such information to the implantable medical device and adapt data received from the interface receiver to communicate such information to the medical information management system.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one module interface apparatus includes: 
 a module housing, wherein the interface circuitry and the at least one of the interface receiver and the interface transmitter are enclosed within the module housing;    a programming head containing the interface antenna; and    a cable electrically connecting the programming head to the at least one module housing.    
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one module interface apparatus includes a module housing, wherein the interface circuitry and the at least one of the interface receiver and the interface transmitter are enclosed within the module housing, and further wherein the interface antenna includes one or more antennas external to the module housing.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface circuitry includes processing circuitry to receive and process information from the interface receiver received from the implantable medical device representative of device data for communication of such processed information to the medical information management system.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one module interface apparatus comprises a plurality of interface modules, wherein each interface module is operable for use in communication of information between an external device corresponding to the interface module and the medical information management system, and further wherein at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is operable for use in communication of information between the implantable medical device and the medical information management system.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical information management system includes a battery operable computer processing unit.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the battery operable computer processing unit is associated with a user interface to allow a user to provide programming commands to the at least one module interface apparatus for communication to the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the battery operable computer processing unit receives device data from the at least one module interface apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical information management system includes a computer network.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer network includes a computer subsystem including the computer processing unit having an associated user interface to allow a user to provide programming commands to the at least one module interface apparatus for communication to the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer network receives device data from the at least one interface module.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.  
     
     
         13 . A programming system for use in programming implantable medical devices, the system comprising: 
 an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least a device receiver coupled to a device antenna; and    a medical information management system, wherein the medical information management system includes a computer network, at least one computer subsystem having a user interface associated with a display operable on the computer network, and a plurality of interface modules, wherein each of the interface modules is operable for use in communication of information between an external device corresponding to the interface module and the at least one computer subsystem, and further wherein at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is operable for use in communication of programming commands from the medical information management system to the implantable medical device.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one interface module includes an interface transmitter coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the device receiver via the device antenna.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one interface module further includes interface circuitry operable to adapt data received from the medical information management system for provision to the interface transmitter to communicate programming commands to the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface transmitter is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna contained within a programming head, and further wherein a cable electrically connects the programming head to the interface transmitter.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface transmitter is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna positioned external to the module housing.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the user interface allows a user to provide the programming commands to the at least one interface module for communication to the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.  
     
     
         20 . A system for uplink of data from implanted medical devices, the system comprising: 
 an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least a device transmitter coupled to a device antenna; and    a medical information management system, wherein the medical information management system includes a computer network, at least one computer subsystem having a user interface associated with a display operable on the computer network, and a plurality of interface modules, wherein each of the interface modules is operable for use in communication of information between an external device corresponding to the interface module and the computer network, and further wherein at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is operable for use in communication of device data from the implantable medical device to the medical information management system.    
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one interface module includes an interface receiver coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the device transmitter via the device antenna.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one interface module further includes interface circuitry operable to adapt device data received from the interface receiver to communicate such device data to the medical information management system.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface receiver and interface circuitry is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna contained within a programming head, and further wherein a cable electrically connects the programming head to the interface receiver.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module, wherein the interface receiver and interface circuitry is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna positioned external to the module housing.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the interface circuitry includes processing circuitry to receive and process device data from the interface receiver received from the device transmitter of the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the device data is one of diagnostic data, physiological parameter data, operational data, and analyzed data.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the interface circuitry includes at least a driver operable for communication of information to the medical information management system.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.  
     
     
         29 . An interface apparatus for use in facilitating communication between an implantable medical device and a medical information management system, wherein the medical information management system includes at least a computer processing unit and a display unit, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least one of a device transmitter and device receiver coupled to a device antenna, the interface apparatus comprising: 
 an interface module, wherein the interface module includes: 
 at least one of an interface receiver and an interface transmitter coupled to an interface antenna operable to communicate with the at least one of the device transmitter and the device receiver via the device antenna, and  
 interface circuitry operable to at least one of adapt data received from the medical information management system for provision to the interface transmitter to communicate such information to the implantable medical device and adapt data received from the interface receiver to communicate such information to the medical information management system.  
   
     
     
         30 . The interface apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the interface module includes: 
 a module housing, wherein the interface circuitry and the at least one of the interface receiver and the interface transmitter are enclosed within the module housing;    a programming head containing the interface antenna; and    a cable electrically connecting the programming head to the interface module.    
     
     
         31 . The interface apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the medical information management system includes a plurality of plug-in slots for receiving a plurality of interface modules corresponding to a plurality of external devices, wherein a module housing enclosing the interface circuitry and the at least one of the interface receiver and the interface transmitter is configured for insertion in one of the plurality of plug-in slots of the medical information management system.  
     
     
         32 . The interface apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface circuitry and the at least one of the interface receiver and the interface transmitter are enclosed within the module housing, and further wherein the interface antenna is external to the module housing.  
     
     
         33 . The interface apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the interface circuitry includes processing circuitry to receive and process information from the interface receiver received from the implantable medical device representative of device data for communication of such processed information to the medical information management system.  
     
     
         34 . The interface apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the medical information management system includes a user interface to allow a user to provide programming commands to the interface module for communication to the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         35 . The interface apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the medical information management network receives device data from the interface module.  
     
     
         36 . A programming system for use in programming implantable medical devices, the system comprising: 
 an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least a device receiver coupled to a device antenna; and    a battery operable computer system having a user interface associated with a display unit and a plurality of interface modules connected thereto, wherein each of the interface modules is operable for use in communication of information between an external device corresponding to the interface module and the computer system, and further wherein at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is operable for use in providing programming information received from the computer system to the implantable medical device.    
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one interface module includes an interface transmitter coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the device receiver via the device antenna.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one interface module further includes interface circuitry operable to adapt data received from the medical information management system for provision to the interface transmitter to communicate such information to the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface transmitter is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna contained within a programming head, and further wherein a cable electrically connects the programming head to the at least one interface module.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface transmitter is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna positioned external to the module housing.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.  
     
     
         42 . A system for uplink of information from implanted medical devices, the system comprising: 
 an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least a device transmitter coupled to a device antenna; and    a battery operable computer system and a plurality of interface modules connected thereto, wherein each of the interface modules is operable for use in communication of information between an external device corresponding to the interface module and the computer system, and further wherein at least one interface module of the plurality of interface modules is operable for use in providing device data received from the implantable medical device to the computer system.    
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one interface module includes an interface receiver coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the device transmitter via the device antenna.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one interface module further includes interface circuitry operable to adapt device data received from the interface receiver to communicate such device data to the battery operable computer system.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface circuitry and the interface receiver are enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna contained within a programming head, and further wherein a cable electrically connects the programming head to the at least one interface module.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one interface module includes a module housing, wherein the interface receiver is enclosed within the module housing and is operably associated with the interface antenna positioned external to the module housing.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the device data is one of diagnostic data, physiological parameter data, operational data, and analyzed data.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.  
     
     
         49 . An implantable medical device programming method, the method comprising steps of: 
 providing an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least a device receiver coupled to a device antenna;    providing a medical information management system, wherein the medical information management system includes at least a processing unit and a display unit;    providing an interface module, wherein the at least one interface module includes at least an interface transmitter operable with the device receiver;    receiving data representative of programming commands at the interface module from the computer system;    adapting the data representative of programming commands for transmission to the implantable medical device; and    transmitting the adapted data by the interface transmitter via the interface antenna to the device antenna of the implantable medical device.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the medical information management system comprises a plurality of interface modules, wherein each interface module is operable for use in interfacing to an external device.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the medical information management system includes a battery operable processing unit.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the medical information management system includes a computer network, wherein the at least one processing unit is connected thereon.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.  
     
     
         54 . An implantable medical device uplink communication method, the method comprising steps of: 
 providing an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device includes at least a device transmitter coupled to a device antenna;    providing a medical information management system, wherein the medical management system includes at least a processing unit and a display unit;    providing an interface module, wherein the at least one interface module includes at least an interface receiver operable with the device transmitter; and    receiving device data at the interface module from the device transmitter of the implantable medical device via the interface antenna;    adapting the device data for provision to the medical    information management system; and    providing the adapted device data to the medical information management system.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising a step of processing data received by the interface receiver from the implantable medical device.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the medical information management system includes a battery operable processing unit.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the medical information management system includes a computer network, wherein the is processing unit is connected thereon.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the device data from the implantable medical device is one of physiological parameter data, diagnostic data, operational data, and analyzed data.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the implantable medical device includes an implanted medical device selected from one of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, a brain stimulator, a cardioverter/defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a muscle stimulator, a gastric stimulator, an implantable monitor, a hemodynamic monitor, and a drug pump.