Wireless patient communicator employing security information management

A patient communicator for communicating with a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and facilitating communications with a remote server via a wireless network, the patient communicator comprising:

• a housing configured for portability by an ambulatory patient;
• an identity module detachably disposed in the housing and configured to store at least identity data that uniquely identifies the patient communicator as being associated with the patient, wherein the identity data comprises physiologic data obtained from the patient;
• a processor coupled to the identity module, wherein the processor is configured to pair with the PIMD using the identity module and allow data exchange with the PIMD if the identity module is authorized for use;
• memory disposed in the housing, wherein the memory comprises wireless radio firmware executable by the processor and medical firmware executable by the processor,
• a first radio disposed in the housing and configured to effect communications with the PIMD in accordance with execution of the medical firmware by the processor;
• a second radio disposed in the housing and configured to effect communications with a remote server via a wireless network in accordance with execution of the wireless radio firmware by the processor;
• and
• the processor configured to use at least the identity data stored in the identity module and execute program instructions for (a) facilitating authentication by the remote server prior to permitting access to the remote server and (b) facilitating authentication of the remote server prior to permitting access by the remote server.

A method for effecting communications between a patient communicator and a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and for facilitating communications between the patient communicator and a remote server via a wireless network, the method comprising:

• identifying a paired PIMD by a processor using physiologic data obtained from the patient, wherein the physiologic data is stored in an identity module of the patient communicator;
• preventing data exchange between a patient communicator and the PIMD unless the identity module of the patient communicator is designated for use only with the patient communicator;
• effecting communications between the PIMD and a first radio of the patient communicator in accordance with execution of the medical firmware by the processor;
• effecting communications between a second radio of the patient communicator and a remote server via a wireless network in accordance with execution of the wireless radio firmware by the processor;
• providing identity data stored in the identity module to the remote server for authentication by the remote server prior to accessing the remote server;
• authenticating the remote server using the identity data stored in the identity module prior to permitting access by the remote server;
• and
• exchanging at least PIMD data between the patient communicator and the remote server in response to successful authentication.