Communications System for an Implantable Medical Device and a Delivery Device

Abstract

A method for monitoring drug dose, intake and effectiveness includes a drug delivery device in data communications with at least one implantable medical device. The method is preferably implemented in a web-enabled environment in which a remote data center communicates with the implantable devices (IMDs) in a patient via a programmer or the pill dispenser. The method may include facilitating access by a physician, clinician, or other user of the remote data center to review and monitor the IMDs or the drug delivery regime remotely. The method further provides a dynamic drug management system, compatible with a web-enabled interactive data communication environment that accurately monitors dose and specific drug effectiveness in a patient to enhance patient care.

1 . A method of interfacing an implantable medical device (IMD) and a drug delivery device comprising:
 receiving within the IMD a communication from the drug delivery device relating to a drug therapy;   determining if the communication requires a response from the IMD;   selecting one or more responses to the communication when it is determined that the communication requires a response, wherein the possible responses include;
 (a) adjusting a therapy delivered by the IMD; 
 (b) notifying the patient; 
 (c) alerting a remote user; and 
 (d) communicating instructions to the drug delivery device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication from the drug delivery device is an indication that a dosage has been taken. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein determining if the communication requires a response includes monitoring the effectiveness of the drug therapy. 
     
     
         4 . The method of claim wherein monitoring the effectiveness includes sensing physical parameters within a patient by the IMD. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication from the drug delivery device is an indication that an expected dosage has not been taken. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the communication is the absence of a received message by the IMD from the drug delivery device during an expected time period. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication from the drug delivery device to the IMD is routed through a communications device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the communications device is a programmer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of: a watch, a pager, a cellular phone, a PDA, a telephone, or a personal computer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if the communication requires a response occurs in a communication device external to and in communication with the IMD. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the communication device is a programmer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes a changing of a dosage of a drug delivered by the drug delivered device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes a changing of a drug delivered by the drug delivery device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes the drug delivery device to granting access to a drug contained within the drug delivery device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes the drug delivery device to deny access to a drug contained within the drug delivery device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes the drug delivery device to cease delivery of a drug. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes the drug delivery device to alter a rate at which a drug is dispensed from the drug delivery device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein instructing the drug delivery device causes the drug delivery device to alter a frequency at which a drug is dispensed from the drug delivery device.