System and method for resetting an implantable medical device

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method, of operating an implantable medical device, comprises: (i) operating reset logic within the implantable medical device that is independently operable from a processor of the implantable medical device after the implantable medical device is implanted within a patient, wherein the processor is adapted for central control of the implantable medical device; (ii) operating a magnetic field sensor in the implantable medical device; (iii) generating digital data using, at least, the magnetic field sensor; (iv) detecting, by the reset logic, a digital key in the digital data; (v) in response to (iv), asserting a reset signal on a pin of the processor by the reset logic; and (vi) conducting reset operations in the processor in response to the reset signal.

1 . An implantable medical device, comprising:
 a therapy module adapted to provide a therapy to a patient after implantation in the body of the patient;   a processor adapted for central control of the implantable medical device   a magnetic sensor for sensing an external magnetic field: and   reset logic that is independently operable from a processor of the implantable medical device and that is adapted to (i) detect a digital key in digital data generated from a modulated magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor; (ii) in response to detecting the digital key in the digital data, asserting a reset signal on a pin of the processor by the reset logic; wherein the processor is adapted to conduct reset operations in response to assertion of the reset signal on the reset pin of the processor.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein the implantable medical device comprises memory storing a first set of software instructions of a safe mode of operations that are different from a second set of software instructions of an application mode of operations wherein the application mode of operations controls provision of a therapy by the implantable medical device to the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  wherein the reset logic is operable to cause the processor to execute the first set of software instructions after the processor is reset. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  wherein the first set of software instructions comprises code for performing a software or firmware update. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  wherein the first set of software instructions comprises code for performing an integrity check of software or firmware of the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  wherein the reset logic is connected to the processor by a polling line. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 6  wherein the reset logic is operable to cause the processor to execute the first set of software instructions by communicating a signal on the polling line after reset operations. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  wherein the magnetic field sensor is a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 8  wherein the GMR sensor is a digital sensor.