Medical implant range extension bridge apparatus and method

An apparatus for providing communication between an implant using a short-range medical device communication protocol and a remotely located external device, comprising:

• a first transceiver for wireless communication with said implant using a first transmission protocol;
• and
• a second transceiver for communication with said external device using a second transmission protocol over a communication network, wherein
• said apparatus is adapted for connecting said implant to said external device by bridging said first protocol and said second protocol, and wherein
• said first transmission protocol is a protocol restricted to a short range near the implant, and further wherein
• said apparatus is adapted to be sterilized for placing in the sterile environment.

An apparatus for providing communication between an implant using a short-range medical device communication protocol and a remotely located external device, comprising:

• a first transceiver for wireless communication with said implant using a first transmission protocol;
• and
• a second transceiver for communication with said external device using a second transmission protocol over a communication network, wherein
• said apparatus is adapted for connecting said implant to said external device by bridging said first protocol and said second protocol, and wherein
• said first transmission protocol is a protocol restricted to a short range near the implant, and further wherein
• said apparatus is adapted to communicate a heartbeat signal between said implant and said external device.

A system for updating a program in a medical device, comprising:

• a medical device for providing therapy to a patient;
• a programming device adapted for remotely programming a medical device;
• and
• an apparatus for providing communication between said medical device using a short-range medical device communication protocol and said programming device located remotely from said medical device, comprising:
• a first transceiver for wireless communication with said medical device using a first transmission protocol, and
• a second transceiver for communication with said programming device using a second transmission protocol over a communication network, wherein
• said apparatus is adapted for connecting said medical device to said programming device by bridging said first protocol and said second protocol, and wherein
• said first transmission protocol is a protocol restricted to a short range near the medical device;
• wherein, said system is adapted to provide a heartbeat signal between said medical device and said remotely located programming device;
• and wherein
• said medical device is adapted to enter a safe mode during remote programming by said remotely located programming device if said heartbeat signal is corrupted, lost, or otherwise interrupted for a defined period.

A method for bridging communication between an implant using a medical device communication protocol in a sterile environment and an external device using a second communication protocol outside of said sterile environment, comprising the steps of:

• sterilizing a bridging device comprising a first transceiver for wireless communication with said implant using said medical device communication protocol and also comprising a second transceiver for wireless communication with said external device using a second transmission protocol;
• placing the sterilized bridging device in or near the sterile environment near the implant;
• and
• using the bridging device for providing a wireless communication path between said implant and said external device that is outside of said sterile environment.

A method for bridging communication between an implanted medical device and a communication device, comprising the steps of:

• placing a bridging device near a patient having a surgical procedure, wherein said patient has an implanted medical device embedded or being embedded in the patient;
• the bridging device wirelessly communicating with the implanted medical device during or just after the surgical procedure;
• and
• the bridging device also wirelessly communicating with a communication device provided outside of said sterile environment, wherein
• the bridging device wireless communication provides a wireless communication path between said implant and said communication device that is outside of said sterile environment.

A method of remotely programming a medical device, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a communication path between the medical device and the remotely located programming device;
• establishing a heartbeat between said medical device and said remotely located programming device;
• remotely programming said medical device;
• and
• monitoring said heartbeat at said medical device such that if said heartbeat is corrupted, lost, or otherwise interrupted for a defined period, said medical device enters a safe mode.

A method of remotely programming a medical device, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a communication path between the medical device and the remotely located programming device;
• establishing a heartbeat between said medical device and said remotely located programming device;
• remotely programming said medical device;
• establishing a communication link between a patient receiving therapy from said medical device and a clinician operating said programming device such that the clinician can monitor a condition of the patient while programming said medical device;
• monitoring said heartbeat at said medical device such that if said heartbeat is corrupted, lost, or otherwise interrupted for a defined period, said medical device enters a safe mode;
• and
• providing a mechanism for the clinician to cause said medical device to enter the safe mode by manual activation by the clinician.

A method of providing therapy to a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing an ambulatory medical device to the patient for use by the patient for providing therapy to the patient;
• establishing a communication path between the medical device being used by the patient and a remotely located programming device that is not operated by the patient;
• and
• remotely programming said medical device for updating said therapy.

A method of providing therapy to a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing an ambulatory medical device to the patient for use by the patient for providing therapy to the patient;
• establishing a communication path between the medical device being used by the patient and a remotely located programming device that is not operated by the patient;
• remotely programming said medical device for updating said therapy
• establishing a heartbeat between said medical device and said remotely located programming device;
• and
• monitoring said heartbeat at said medical device such that if said heartbeat is corrupted, lost, or otherwise interrupted for a defined period, said medical device enters a safe mode.

A method of providing therapy to a patient, comprising the steps of:

• implanting a medical implant in a patient where at least a portion of the patient is in a sterilized environment;
• providing a bridging device in or near the sterilized environment, said bridging device comprising a first transceiver for wireless communication with said implant using a first communication protocol and also comprising a second transceiver for wireless communication with an external device using a second communication protocol;
• placing said external device outside of said sterile environment;
• and
• using the external device for programming a therapy into said medical implant while said at least a portion of the patient is in said sterile environment by using said bridging device for providing a wireless communication path between said implant and said external device that is outside of said sterile environment.