Controlling telemetry during magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

The invention is directed techniques for coordinating telemetry of medical devices with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. By coordinating telemetry of a medical device with the performance of MRI techniques with, the use of telemetry during MRI may be facilitated. In one example, information indicative of electromagnetic radiation bursts in MRI techniques can be communicated to the medical device prior to execution. In another example, the medical device may identify the electromagnetic radiation bursts, e.g., by measuring for the presence of such bursts. In either case, the medical device can adjust its telemetry to improve communication during MRI.

1 . A method of coordinating a medical device with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the method comprising:
 identifying information associated with one or more MRI electromagnetic radiation bursts; and   adjusting telemetry of a medical device during the electromagnetic radiation bursts based on the information.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying information comprises receiving the information from an MRI device. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying information comprises identifying timing information indicative of a timing of one or more electromagnetic radiation bursts. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the timing information includes a start time of at least one burst interval, a duration of the burst interval(s), and a time interval between successive burst intervals. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting telemetry comprises disabling one or more components of a telemetry unit during the electromagnetic radiation bursts. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting telemetry comprises increasing power of telemetry signals during the electromagnetic radiation bursts. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting telemetry comprises selecting a packet size for effective communication between burst intervals. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying information associated with one or more MRI magnetic gradients; and adjusting telemetry of a medical device during application of the MRI magnetic gradients.   
   
   
       9 . A medical device comprising:
 a telemetry unit to perform telemetry with another device; and   a control unit to identify information associated with one or more magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) electromagnetic radiation bursts and adjust the telemetry during the MRI electromagnetic radiation bursts.   
   
   
       10 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the telemetry unit receives information from an MRI device indicative of the electromagnetic radiation bursts, and wherein the control unit adjusts telemetry based on the information. 
   
   
       11 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the information comprises timing information indicative of a timing of one or more electromagnetic radiation bursts. 
   
   
       12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the timing information includes a start time of at least one burst interval, a duration of the burst interval(s), and a time interval between successive burst intervals. 
   
   
       13 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the control unit adjusts telemetry by disabling one or more components of the telemetry unit during the electromagnetic radiation bursts. 
   
   
       14 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the control unit adjusts telemetry by increasing power of telemetry signals during the electromagnetic radiation bursts. 
   
   
       15 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the control unit adjusts telemetry by selecting a packet size for effective communication between burst intervals. 
   
   
       16 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the medical device comprises one of a programmer, an implantable medical device, a cardiac pacemaker, a defibrillator, a cardioverter, a pacemaker-defibrillator-cardioverter, a sensing device, a monitor, a muscular stimulator, a nerve stimulator, a deep brain stimulator, a gastric stimulator, a colon stimulator, an agent dispenser, and a recorder.