Abstract: A portable source medical device determines communication links of a network presently available to effect communications with a target component when the source medical device is at each of a multiplicity of geographical locations. A profile is generated comprising information about each available communication link and attributes associated with each available communication link for each geographical location. When the source medical device is at a particular geographical location, a profile associated with the particular geographical location is accessed and a network connection is established between the source medical device and the target component using a communication link associated with the particular profile. Medical information is transferred between the source medical device and the target component via the communication link associated with the particular profile.

Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing supporting a processor, memory for storing medical and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, an identity module, and a power source. The PPC and a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) communicate via the first radio in accordance with the medical firmware. The PPC communicates with a wireless network via the second radio in accordance with the wireless radio firmware. Data stored in the identity module is used to authenticate the PPC by the remote server prior to permitting PPC access to the remote server, and may also be used to authenticate the remote server by the PPC prior to permitting access to the PPC or the PIMD by the remote server or other device communicatively coupled to the wireless network, after which PIMD and other medical data is exchanged between the PPC and remote server.

Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio.

Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio.

Abstract: Portable patient communicators (PPCs) comprise a first radio configured to communicate wirelessly with a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) associated with the PPC and a second radio configured to communicate wirelessly with a network. Memory is configured to store at least first information about wireless connectivity between the PPC and its associated PIMD. A processor is coupled to the memory and the first and second radios. A power source is configured to supply power to components of the PPC. The processor is configured to coordinate discontinuous communication between the PPC and its associated PIMD via the first radio and coordinate discontinuous communication between the PPC and the network via the second radio. The processor is configured to coordinate wireless transmission of the first information to a remote server via the network, and the remote server receives second information about wireless connectivity between each of the PPCs and the network.

Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing supporting a processor, memory for storing medical and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, an identity module, and a power source. The PPC and a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) communicate via the first radio in accordance with the medical firmware. The PPC communicates with a wireless network via the second radio in accordance with the wireless radio firmware. Data stored in the identity module is used to authenticate the PPC by the remote server prior to permitting PPC access to the remote server, and may also be used to authenticate the remote server by the PPC prior to permitting access to the PPC or the PIMD by the remote server or other device communicatively coupled to the wireless network, after which PIMD and other medical data is exchanged between the PPC and remote server.

Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio.

Abstract: A portable source medical device determines communication links of a network presently available to effect communications with a target component when the source medical device is at each of a multiplicity of geographical locations. A profile is generated comprising information about each available communication link and attributes associated with each available communication link for each geographical location. When the source medical device is at a particular geographical location, a profile associated with the particular geographical location is accessed and a network connection is established between the source medical device and the target component using a communication link associated with the particular profile. Medical information is transferred between the source medical device and the target component via the communication link associated with the particular profile.

Abstract: A system comprising an implantable medical device that comprises at least one electrical input to receive sensed electrical activity of a heart of a patient, a memory, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit is coupled to the electrical input and memory and is operable to enter a memory scrubbing mode that increases a rate of detecting and correcting single bit errors in the memory when the controller circuit determines the implantable device is in a high-energy radiation environment.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes a programming device that determines parameters for programming an implantable medical device based on patient-specific information including indications for use of the implantable medical device. By executing an indication-based programming algorithm, the programming device substantially automates the process between the diagnosis of a patient and the programming of an implantable medical device using parameters individually determined for that patient.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely programming a patient medical device (PMD) is presented. Programming instructions specified remotely are translated into commands formatted for a PMD to control functionality thereof. Correctness of the PMD-formatted commands is checked. Patient consent to modify the functionality of the PMD is confirmed. Application of the PMD-formatted commands to the PMD is controlled during a programming session initiated and performed remotely. The application of the PMD-formatted commands is confirmed through interrogation of the PMD to verify the functionality modified.

Abstract: A system and method for providing authentication of remotely collected external sensor measures is presented. Physiological measures are collected from a source situated remotely from a repository for accumulating such collected physiological measures. An identification of the source from which the physiological measures were collected is determined against authentication data that uniquely identifies a specific patient. The physiological measures are forwarded to the repository upon authenticating the patient identification as originating from the specific patient.

Abstract: A system and method for providing goal-oriented patient management based upon comparative population data analysis is presented. At least one therapy goal is defined to manage a disease state. A patient population is selected sharing at least one characteristic with an individual patient presenting with indications of the disease state. One or more treatment regimens associated with the patient population are identified as implementing actions under the at least one therapy goal. The implementing actions are followed through one or more quantifiable physiological indications monitored via data sources associated with the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for providing hierarchical medical device control for automated patient management is presented. A processor is operatively coupled to a plurality of medical devices on a substantially continual basis to receive sensor data. A control strategy is assigned to the processor to specify actions to be taken by the medical devices to affect the attainment of a therapy goal. State is maintained, selected from the group comprising a history of changes to the control strategy and past sensor data received from the medical devices. Feedback is periodically received. The feedback includes new sensor data from the medical devices. The feedback and the state are analyzed against the actions specified in the control strategy. Control is provided to one or more medical device in response to an actionable change from the actions specified in the control strategy.

Abstract: A pacing monitoring system is described for incorporation in an implantable pacemaker that monitors the pacing rate and/or cumulative pace count in order to protect a patient from excessive pacing. The system includes monitoring circuitry that is configured to operate in multiple monitoring zones, where each zone is adapted to prevent excessively high-rate pacing during a particular mode of device operation.

Abstract: In a patient management system, a remote monitoring device interrogates an implantable device on an intermittent basis over a wireless telemetry link, with interrogations being performed either according to a programmed schedule or upon receiving a command to do so via the user interface or the network interface. Described is a system and method for optimizing, limiting, and/or monitoring an implantable device's telemetry usage in order to avoid premature battery depletion and/or raise an alert if excessive battery depletion is beginning to occur.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a secure feature set distribution infrastructure for medical device management is presented. A unique association is mapped for data download between a medical device and a communications device transiently coupleable to the medical device. A configuration catalog is maintained, including operational characteristics of at least one of the medical device and the communications device. The operational characteristics as maintained in the configuration catalog are periodically checked against a database storing downloadable sets of features and one or more feature sets including changed operational characteristics are identified for distribution. The one or more feature sets are digitally signed and the one or more feature sets are provided to the communications device over a plurality of networks. The one or more feature sets are authenticated and their integrity is checked over a chain of trust originating with a trusted source and terminating at the communications device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radio frequency identification and tagging of implantable medical devices and their components are disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes tagging a device and its components with manufacturing information relating to the device and it components and with information identifying a patient using the device. The information can be automatically transmitted or extracted from the device when the device or its components come into communication range of an external programmer or other device adapted to read or sense the RFID information. Some embodiments of a system disclosed herein can also be configured as a component of an Advanced Patient Management System that helps better monitor, predict and manage chronic diseases.

Abstract: A system and method for managing alert notifications in an automated patient management system is presented. One or more settings specifying patient data collection periodicity are defined. One or more patient data sources operating on a remotely managed patient and selected from at least one of a physiological sensor and a therapy delivery device are also defined. One or more triggers associated with a condition occurring in relation to at least one such patient data evaluateable subsequent to collection are defined. Finally, a notification scheme executable upon detection of at least one such trigger is determined to provide an external indicator of the condition occurrence.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for system fault recovery by an implantable medical device which employs a global fault response. The system enables the device to consistently recover from transient faults while maintaining a history of the reason for the device fault. Upon detection of a fault, the primary controller of the device signals a reset controller which then issues a reset command. All sub-systems of the primary device controller are then reset together rather than resetting individual sub-systems independently to ensure deterministic behavior.