Hiearchical communication system for a chronically implanted medical device

Abstract

A system for providing alerts with regard to a patient's heart. An implanted medical device includes a sensor as well as a processor configured to detect a cardiac event. An internal alarm is configured for producing an alarm signal. An internal transceiver acting in cooperation with an external transceiver within an external device is provided. The processor is configured to determine whether the external and internal transceivers are able to communicate with each other and send a command to the internal alarm if there is no communication.

1 . A system designed to provide alerting regarding the condition of a human patient's heart, the system including:
 an implanted medical device that includes: (a) a sensor; (b) a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to detect a cardiac event (c) an internal alarm coupled to the processor, the alarm configured to produce an alarm signal; (d) an internal transceiver;   an external device including an external transceiver; wherein   the processor is configured to ascertain whether the external transceiver can achieve successful communication with the internal transceiver, and to selectively send a command to the internal alarm to produce an alarm signal if the processor determines that an external transceiver is not able to achieve successful communication with the internal transceiver.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to send a command to the internal alarm to produce an alarm signal if the processor determines that both (i) an external transceiver is not able to achieve successful communication with the internal transceiver; and (ii) the cardiac event is occurring. 
     
     
         3 . A system designed to provide alerting regarding the condition of a human patient's heart, the system including:
 an implanted medical device that includes: (a) a sensor; (b) a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to detect a cardiac event; (c) an internal alarm coupled to the processor, the alarm configured to produce an alarm signal in response to an alarm event for indicating to the human patient that a cardiac event is occurring; (d) an internal transceiver;   an external device including an external transceiver; and   means for ascertaining whether communication with a remote diagnostic center is available, and for initiating a local alarm if communication with a remote diagnostic center is not available.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the local alarm includes activation of the internal alarm. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the external device includes an alarm, and wherein the local alarm includes activation of the alarm in the external device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the local alarm includes activation of an alarm in the external device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the means for ascertaining whether communication with a remote diagnostic center is available comprises a processor configured to operate the external transceiver in order to determine if such communication is available. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the external transceiver uses at least two types of wireless communication. 
     
     
         9 . A system designed to provide alerting regarding the condition of a human patient's heart, the system including:
 an implanted medical device that includes: (a) a sensor; (b) a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to detect a cardiac event; (c) an internal alarm coupled to the processor, the alarm configured to produce an alarm signal for indicating to the human patient that a cardiac eventis occurring; (d) an internal transceiver;   an external device including an external transceiver; and   means for ascertaining whether a remote diagnostic center is available, and for sending information indicative of the condition to the remote diagnostic center if the remote diagnostic center is available.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the means for ascertaining comprises the processor. 
     
     
         11 . A system designed to provide alerting regarding the condition of a human patient's heart, the system including:
 an implanted medical device that includes: (a) a sensor; (b) a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to detect a condition regarding the patient's heart; (c) an internal alarm coupled to the processor, the alarm configured to produce an alarm signal for indicating to the human patient that a cardiac event is occurring; (d) an internal transceiver; and   means for ascertaining whether a device external to the implanted device is available, and for determining which of at least one type of alarm response to generate based upon whether a device external to the implanted device is available.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the means for ascertaining comprises the processor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein determining which of at least one type of alarm response to generate includes generating at least two types of alarms.