Systems and methods for low energy wake-up and pairing for use with implantable medical devices

A method for use by an implantable medical device for implant within a patient and an external instrument equipped to communicate with the implantable medical device, the method comprising:

• generating wireless wake-up signals using the external instrument;
• passively detecting the wireless wake-up signals generated by the external instrument using the implantable medical device where the external instrument is one of a plurality of external instruments capable of communicating with the implantable medical device, and wherein at least some of the plurality of external instruments are not authorized to communicate with the implantable medical device;
• in response to passive detection of a wake-up signal by the implantable medical device, determining if a response to the wake-up signal is warranted and, if so, activating wireless signal transmission components of the implantable medical device and transmitting an acknowledgement signal to the external instrument, wherein determining if a response to the wake-up signal is warranted includes determining if the external instrument is authorized to wake up the implantable medical device based on a coded signal received from the external instrument that indicates the external instrument is authorized to wake up the implantable medical device and that differs from coded signals from at least some other external instruments capable of communicating with the implantable medical device but not authorized to wake up the implantable medical device;
• and
• in response to detection by the external instrument of the acknowledgement signal, engaging in further wireless communications between the external instrument and the implantable medical device.

A system for use by an implantable medical device for implant within a patient, the system comprising:

• passive signal reception components operative to passively detect wireless wake-up signals generated by an external instrument equipped to communicate with the implantable medical device where the external instrument is one of a plurality of external instruments capable of communicating with the implantable medical device, wherein at least some of the plurality of external instruments are not authorized to communicate with the implantable medical device;
• wake-up signal processing components operative in response to passive detection of a wake-up signal from the external instrument to determine if a response is warranted including determining if the external instrument generating the wake-up signal is authorized to wake up the implantable medical device based on a coded signal received from the external instrument that indicates the external instrument is authorized to wake up the implantable medical device and that differs from coded signals from at least some other external instruments capable of communicating with the implantable medical device but not authorized to wake up the implantable medical device;
• and
• active signal transmission components operative if a response is warranted to transmit a wireless acknowledgement signal to the external instrument.

A method for use by a trial medical device having at least one lead for implant within a patient and an external instrument equipped to communicate with the trial medical device, the method comprising:

• generating wireless wake-up signals using the external instrument;
• passively detecting the wireless wake-up signals generated by the external instrument using the trial medical device where the external instrument is one of a plurality of external instruments capable of communicating with the trial medical device, and wherein at least some of the plurality of external instruments are not authorized to communicate with the trial medical device;
• in response to passive detection of a wake-up signal by the trial medical device, determining if a response is warranted and, if so, activating wireless signal transmission components of the trial medical device and transmitting an acknowledgement signal to the external instrument, wherein determining if a response to the wake-up signal is warranted includes determining if the external instrument generating the wake-up signal is authorized to wake up the trial medical device based on a coded signal received from the external instrument that indicates the external instrument is authorized to wake up the trial medical device and that differs from coded signals from at least some other external instruments capable of communicating with the trial medical device but not authorized to wake up the trial medical device;
• and
• in response to detection by the external instrument of the acknowledgement signal, engaging in further wireless communications between the external instrument and the trial medical device.