# US 6,418,346 B1 · Apparatus and method for remote therapy and diagnosis in medical devices via interface systems

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- Number: US 6,418,346 B1
- Document ID: US6418346B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/460,580
- Filed: 1999-12-14
- Granted: 2002-07-09
- Earliest claimed: 1999-12-14
- Assignees: Medtronic, Inc.
- Inventors: Chester Gary Nelson; Michael Thomas Lee; Michael G. Schrenk
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6418346B1

## CPC

- A61N 1/37282: {characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network}
- A61B 5/0031: {Implanted circuitry}
- G16H 40/40: for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
- G16H 40/67: for remote operation
- G16H 50/20: for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- G16H 10/60: for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

A system for transferring data into and out of medical devices wherein a personal data manager (PDM) is used in a web-based network is disclosed. The PDM co-operates with a programmer to enhance remote monitoring of implanted medical devices on a chronic basis to deliver clinical therapy in real time. The PDM is handheldable and mobile and expands the reach of the programmer by storing and forwarding data from the programmer to web-based network constituting a medical environment. The PDM is also implemented to store and forward information to PCs and similar peripheral equipment. In a specialized application, the PDM is configured to exchange data with the unregulated operational/functional segments of the IMD.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for remote interactive data exchange with an implantable medical device, comprising:
a programmer in operable data communication with the implantable medical device, said programmer exchanging data with the implantable medical device;
a personal data messenger implemented as a hand-held device, said personal data messenger exchanging data with the programmer and managing programmer data exchanges with the implantable medical device;
a network for remote bi-directional communication; and
a remote expert data center connectable to the personal data messenger over said network for remote bi-directional communication of programmer data exchanges relating to implantable medical device diagnostics, therapy delivery, and monitoring.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the personal data messenger comprises a communications interface providing for connection to a peripheral device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of a printer and a personal computer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said network for remote bi-directional communication between the personal data messenger and the remote expert data center is an Internet connection.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the remote expert data center provides data to the personal data messenger that is to be exchanged with the programmer and used by the programmer in providing real-time management of the functional parameters of the implantable medical device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the personal data messenger comprises a memory for storing data exchanged with the programmer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the personal data messenger comprises a memory for storing data from the remote expert data center to be transferred to the programmer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the personal data messenger comprises a memory for storing data from the programmer to be transferred to the remote expert data center.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the personal data messenger is operable in a primary mode that establishes data communication with the programmer and is operable in a secondary mode that establishes data communication directly with the implantable medical device, said personal data manager accessing unregulated data in said secondary mode.