Peripheral memory patch and access method for use with an implantable medical device

A patch apparatus for attachment to a patient's skin system and storing physiologic data of a patient received from a body implantable medical device, the patch apparatus comprising:

• a resilient substrate adapted for affixation to the patient;
• a receiver device provided on the substrate, the receiver device receiving the physiologic data transmitted by the body implantable medical device;
• a processor and a memory respectively provided on the substrate, the memory storing the received physiologic data and storing patient related information;
• a power source provided on the substrate and coupled to at least the processor and the memory;
• and
• an output device coupled to the processor and the memory, the processor coordinating the transfer of the physiologic data from the memory to the output device in response to a transfer signal.

A method of storing physiologic data of a patient acquired by an implantable medical device, comprising:

• providing a resilient patch apparatus comprising a memory having patient related information therein, the patch apparatus being adapted for attachment on the patient's skin;
• generating a transfer signal;
• and
• transferring, in response to the transfer signal, data stored in the implantable medical device to the memory of the patch apparatus.

An apparatus for storing physiologic data of a patient acquired by an implantable medical device, comprising:

• a patch apparatus adapted for attachment on the patient's skin;
• a memory carried on said patch apparatus and storing patient related information;
• means for generating a transfer signal;
• and
• means for transferring, in response to the transfer signal, data stored in the implantable medical device to the patch apparatus.