Implantable medical device with dual-use communication module

A method for receiving and demodulating both radio-frequency (RF) telemetry signals and tissue conduction communication (TCC) signals with a common communication receiver module of an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a sensing module of the implantable medical device, a cardiac electrogram of the patient via a plurality of electrodes coupled to the implantable medical device;
• receiving, by the communication receiver module, an RF telemetry signal emitted by an external device outside of the patient via an antenna of the implantable medical device, wherein the RF telemetry signal is within a predetermined frequency band for RF telemetry communication;
• demodulating, by the communication receiver module, the RF telemetry signal;
• receiving, by the communication receiver module, a TCC signal emitted by another implantable medical device implanted within the patient via the plurality of electrodes, wherein the TCC signal is within the predetermined frequency band for RF telemetry communication;
• demodulating, by the communication receiver module, the TCC signal;
• selectively coupling, by a switching module of the implantable medical device comprising one or more switches, the plurality of electrodes to either the sensing module or the communication receiver module of the implantable medical device;
• determining, by a processor of the implantable medical device, a heart rate of the patient based on depolarizations sensed by the sensing module in the cardiac electrogram;
• determining, by the processor, that the heart rate is greater than a threshold value;
• and
• changing, by the processor, the switching module from a first configuration in which the antenna is coupled to the communication receiver module and the plurality of electrodes are decoupled from the communication receiver module to a second configuration in which the antenna is decoupled from the communication receiver module and the plurality of electrodes are coupled to the communication receiver module in response to the determination that the heart rate is greater than the threshold value.

A method for modulating and transmitting both radio-frequency (RF) telemetry signals and tissue conduction communication (TCC) signals with a common communication transmitter module of an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a sensing module of the implantable medical device, a cardiac electrogram of the patient via a plurality of electrodes;
• modulating, by the communication transmitter module, an RF telemetry signal;
• transmitting, by the communication transmitter module, the RF telemetry signal to an external device outside of the patient via an antenna of the implantable medical device, wherein the RF telemetry signal is within the predetermined frequency band for RF telemetry communication;
• modulating, by the communication transmitter module, a TCC signal;
• transmitting, by the communication transmitter module, the TCC signal to another implantable medical device implanted within the patient with the plurality of electrodes coupled to the implantable medical device, wherein the TCC signal is within the predetermined frequency band for RF telemetry communication;
• selectively coupling, by a switching module of the implantable medical device comprising one or more switches, the plurality of electrodes to either the sensing module or at least one of a communication receiver module of the implantable medical device or the communication transmitter module;
• determining, by a processor of the implantable medical device, a heart rate of the patient based on depolarizations sensed by the sensing module in the cardiac electrogram;
• determining, by the processor, that the heart rate is greater than a threshold value;
• and
• changing, by the processor, the switching module from a first configuration in which the antenna is coupled to the communication receiver module and the plurality of electrodes are decoupled from the communication receiver module to a second configuration in which the antenna is decoupled from the communication receiver module and the plurality of electrodes are coupled to the communication receiver module in response to the determination that the heart rate is greater than the threshold value.

A system comprising:

• an extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator comprising:
• a first antenna;
• a first plurality of electrodes;
• a first sensing module configured to receive a first cardiac electrogram of a patient via the first plurality of electrodes;
• a first therapeutic signal generator configured to deliver therapeutic shocks to a heart of the patient via the first plurality of electrodes;
• a communication transmitter module configured to modulate and transmit signals within a predetermined frequency band for radio-frequency (RF) telemetry communication, wherein the communication transmitter module is configured to modulate and transmit a first RF telemetry signal to an external device via the first antenna, and modulate and transmit a tissue conduction communication (TCC) signal via the first plurality of electrodes, wherein the TCC signal is within the predetermined frequency band for RF telemetry communication;
• and
• a first switching module configured to selectively couple the first plurality of electrodes to at least one of:
• the first sensing module;
• the first therapeutic signal generator;
• or
• the communication transmitter module;
• and
• a leadless pacing device comprising:
• a second antenna;
• a second plurality of electrodes;
• a second sensing module configured to receive a second cardiac electrogram of the patient via the second plurality of electrodes;
• a second therapeutic signal generator configured to deliver cardiac pacing pulses to a heart of the patient via the second plurality of electrodes;
• a communication receiver module configured to receive and demodulate signals within the predetermined frequency band for RF telemetry communication, wherein the communication receiver module is configured to receive from the second antenna and demodulate a second RF telemetry signal emitted by the external device, and receive from the second plurality of electrodes and demodulate the TCC signal emitted by the extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator;
• a second switching module configured to selectively couple the second plurality of electrodes to at least one of:
• the second sensing module;
• the second therapeutic signal generator;
• or
• the communication receiver module;
• and
• a housing configured for implantation within the heart of the patient, wherein the housing encloses the second antenna, the communication receiver module, the second switching module, the second sensing module, and the second therapeutic signal generator, and wherein the housing comprises at least one of the second plurality of electrodes,
• wherein the TCC signal includes a command from the extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator to the leadless pacing device to deliver at least one of anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) or post-shock pacing, and
• wherein the leadless pacing device further comprises a processor within the housing, wherein the processor is configured to:
• determine a heart rate of the patient based on depolarizations sensed by the second sensing module in the second cardiac electrogram;
• determine that the heart rate is greater than a threshold value;
• and
• change the second switching module from a first configuration in which the second antenna is coupled to the communication receiver module and the second plurality of electrodes are decoupled from the communication receiver module to a second configuration in which the second antenna is decoupled from the communication receiver module and the second plurality of electrodes are coupled to the communication receiver module in response to the determination that the heart rate is greater than the threshold value.