Secure transdermal communication with implanted device

A system for communication between an implanted medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient and an external reader, comprising:

• an IMD capable of being implanted into a patient's body, the IMD comprising:
• a transdermal wave transceiver,
• a radio frequency transceiver
• an external reader comprising:
• a device-body contact surface;
• a transdermal wave transceiver capable of transmitting transdermal carrier waves from the contact surface into the patient's body,
• a radio frequency transceiver;
• wherein the reader is operable to transmit a first transdermal carrier wave from the contact surface into the patient's body, wherein the first carrier wave comprises a request for communication with the IMD;
• wherein, upon detection of the first carrier wave, the IMD is operable to transmit a second transdermal carrier wave comprising a request for an access key code from the reader wherein the second transdermal carrier wave includes or is related to an IMD value stored in a memory location of the IMD;
• wherein, upon detection of the second transdermal carrier wave, the reader is operable to transmit a third transdermal carrier wave comprising the access key back to the IMD wherein the access key is based on the IMD value present in the memory location of the IMD;
• wherein the IMD is operable to examine the access key for validity upon receipt from the reader;
• and
• wherein, if the access key is valid, the IMD is operable to transmit one of the group of:
• information by radio frequency (RF) in an RF communication mode, and
• a fourth transdermal carrier wave comprising data from the IMD.

A method of communication between an implanted medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient and an external reader, comprising:

• bringing a portion of a patient's body into contact with a device-body contact surface of an external reader, wherein an IMD is implanted in the patient;
• the reader transmitting a first transdermal electrical conductive wave from the contact surface into the patient's body, wherein the first transdermal electrical conductive wave comprises a request for communication with the IMD;
• upon detection of the first transdermal electrical conductive wave, the IMD transmitting a second transdermal electrical conductive wave comprising a request for an access key from the reader, wherein the second transdermal carrier wave includes or is related to an IMD value stored in a memory location of the IMD;
• upon detection of the second transdermal electrical conductive wave, the reader transmitting a third transdermal electrical conductive wave comprising the access key back to the IMD wherein the access key is based on the IMD value present in the memory location of the IMD;
• the IMD examining the access key for validity;
• and
• if the access key is valid, the IMD providing power to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of the IMD and transmitting IMD data in an RF communication mode.