Proximity based selection of an implantable medical device for far field communication

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the implantable medical device is configured to:
• monitor for a proximity communication;
• receive the proximity communication;
• monitor for a far field discovery communication that specifies that a far field response communication be provided if the proximity communication is detected;
• receive the far field discovery communication;
• if the far field discovery communication is received within a pre-defined time from receiving the proximity communication, then respond to the far field discovery communication by transmitting a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising a value that is unique to the implantable medical device;
• and
• exchange information with the external device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the external device is configured to:
• transmit a far field discovery communication that specifies that a far field response communication be provided if a proximity communication is detected;
• monitor for the far field response communication;
• and
• if the far field response communication is received within a pre-defined time, where the far field response communication comprises a value that is unique to the implantable medical device, then exchange information with the implantable medical device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the implantable medical device is configured to:
• monitor for a proximity communication;
• receive the proximity communication;
• monitor for a far field discovery communication;
• receive the far field discovery communication;
• if the far field discovery communication is received within a pre-defined time from receiving the proximity communication, then respond to the far field discovery communication by transmitting a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising a value that is unique to the implantable medical device and a challenge;
• subsequent to the far field response communication, monitor for a proximity communication that relates to the challenge;
• and
• if the proximity communication relates to the challenge, then exchange information with the external device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the external device is configured to:
• transmit a far field discovery communication;
• monitor for the far field response communication;
• receive the far field response communication, where the far field response communication comprises a value that is unique to the implantable medical device and a challenge;
• send a proximity communication that relates to the challenge;
• and
• exchange information with the implantable medical device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the implantable medical device is configured to:
• monitor for a proximity communication;
• receive the proximity communication;
• monitor for a far field discovery communication;
• receive the far field discovery communication;
• if the far field discovery communication is received within a pre-defined time from receiving the proximity communication, then respond to the far field discovery communication by transmitting a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising a value that is unique to the implantable medical device;
• receive a request for a challenge via a far field communication after having transmitted the far field response communication;
• after receiving the request, send a challenge via a far field communication;
• monitor for a proximity communication that relates to the challenge;
• if the proximity communication relates to the challenge, then exchange information with the external device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the external device is configured to:
• transmit a far field discovery communication;
• monitor for the far field response communication;
• receive the far field response communication, where the far field response communication comprises a value that is unique to the implantable medical device;
• send a request for a challenge via a far field communication after having received the far field response communication;
• after sending the request, receive the challenge via a far field communication;
• transmit a proximity communication that relates to the challenge;
• and
• after transmitting the proximity communication that relates to the challenge, exchange information with the implantable medical device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the implantable medical device is configured to:
• establish a communication session with the external device via the exchange of information using at least a far field communication;
• send a challenge via far field communication during the communication session;
• monitor for a proximity communication that relates to the challenge;
• and
• if the proximity communication that relates to the challenge is not received, then terminating the communication session.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the external device is configured to:
• establish a communication session with the implantable medical device via the exchange of information using the far field communication;
• receive a challenge during the communication session;
• transmit a proximity communication that relates to the challenge;
• and
• after transmitting the proximity communication that relates to the challenge, continuing to exchange information with the implantable medical device using far field communication by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the external device is configured to:
• transmit a far field discovery communication;
• monitor for the far field response communication;
• receive a plurality of far field response communications;
• detect a strongest signal related to the far field response communications;
• and
• exchange information via the far field communication with the implantable medical device corresponding to the strongest signal by transmitting the information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the implantable medical device is configured to:
• monitor for a proximity communication;
• receive the proximity communication;
• monitor for a far field discovery communication;
• receive the far field discovery communication;
• if the far field discovery communication is received within a pre-defined time from receiving the proximity communication, then respond to the far field discovery communication by transmitting a far field response communication, the far field response communication comprising a value that is unique to the implantable medical device;
• exchange an encryption key via a second proximity communication;
• and
• exchange information with the external device using far field communication by encrypting the information in accordance with the encryption key and by transmitting the encrypted information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.

A system for establishing communication, comprising:

• an external device and an implantable medical device,
• wherein the external device is configured to:
• transmit a far field discovery communication;
• monitor for the far field response communication;
• and
• receive the far field response communication, where the far field response communication comprises a value that is unique to the implantable medical device;
• exchange an encryption key via a second proximity communication;
• and
• exchange information with the implantable medical device using far field communication by encrypting the information in accordance with the encryption key and by transmitting the encrypted information in conjunction with the value that is unique to the implantable medical device.