AIMD external programmer incorporating a multifunction RFID reader having a limited transmit time and a time-out period

A system that is capable of communicating with an active implantable medical device (AIMD), the system comprising:

• a) a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator, the interrogator comprising:
• i) an actuatable circuit for transmitting an electromagnetic signal emanating therefrom;
• and
• ii) a time-out circuit, wherein regardless whether an RFID tag is detected, or not, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time that is not greater than a defined transmit length, followed by an interim period of a defined, manually non-resettable interim length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal, followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time that is not greater than the defined transmit length,
• iii) wherein no matter how frequently the circuit for generating the electromagnetic signal is actuated, the time-out circuit prevents the second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal after a prior electromagnetic signal has been transmitted from the RF signal generator until the interim period of the defined, manually non-resettable interim length has expired;
• and
• b) wherein the first, second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal can be less, but not greater than, the defined transmit length;
• and
• c) an active medical device;
• and
• d) an RFID tag housed inside or supported on the active medical device.

A system for communicating with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the system comprising:

• a) an interrogator, which comprises:
• i) an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal;
• and
• ii) a time-out circuit, wherein regardless whether an RFID tag is detected, or not, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic sign having a first limited total continuous transmit time that is not greater than a defined transmit length, followed by an interim period of a defined, manually non-resettable interim length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal, followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time that is not greater than the defined transmit length,
• iii) wherein no matter how frequently the RF signal generator is actuated, the time-out circuit prevents the second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal after a prior electromagnetic signal has been transmitted from the RF signal generator until the interim period of the defined, manually non-resettable interim length has expired;
• and
• b) wherein the first, second. and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal can be less, but not greater than, the defined transmit length;
• and
• c) means for changing retrievable information in an RFID tag, the retrievable information corresponding to changes in characteristics of an active medical device, an associated lead system, or a patient.

A system for communicating with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the system comprising:

• a) an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal;
• and
• b) a time-out circuit, wherein regardless whether an RFID tag is detected, or not, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time that is not greater than a defined transmit length, followed by an interim period of a defined, manually non-resettable interim length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal, followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time that is not greater than the defined transmit length,
• c) wherein no matter how frequently the RF signal generator is actuated, the time-out circuit prevents the second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal after a prior electromagnetic signal has been transmitted from the RF signal generator until the interim period of the defined, manually non-resettable interim length has expired, and
• d) wherein the total continuous transmit time for each of the first, second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal is no greater than five seconds, and
• e) wherein the first, second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal can be less, but not greater than, the defined transmit length.