Abstract: Methods and systems for media access control allow master and slave nodes of a network to communicate using the same carrier while avoiding collisions of transmissions. At least one slave node is an implantable device. Master nodes initiate all data exchange sequences, and slave nodes are responsive to the data exchange sequences. The exchange sequences begin by master nodes contending for use of the carrier through a countdown procedure. A set order of communications occurs between a master node who won the contention and a slave node being communicated with by the master node to transfer a data frame. Contention is then repeated to determine the next master node that is allowed to transfer a data frame. New master nodes entering the network employ a discovery process to poll for existing devices in the network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for media access control allow master and slave nodes of a network to communicate using the same carrier while avoiding collisions of transmissions. At least one slave node is an implantable device. Master nodes initiate all data exchange sequences, and slave nodes are responsive to the data exchange sequences. The exchange sequences begin by master nodes contending for use of the carrier through a countdown procedure. A set order of communications occurs between a master node who won the contention and a slave node being communicated with by the master node to transfer a data frame. Contention is then repeated to determine the next master node that is allowed to transfer a data frame. New master nodes entering the network employ a discovery process to poll for existing devices in the network.

Abstract: Physiological data is generated from signals received from one or more leads associated with the IMD. The physiological data is sampled to generate a plurality of data samples. A predictive encoding algorithm is applied to the plurality of data samples to generate a plurality of encoded data samples each corresponding to one of the plurality of data samples. An entropy encoding algorithm is then applied to the plurality of encoded data samples to generate a plurality of code words each corresponding to one of the plurality of encoded data samples. The code words are then stored in a memory in the IMD.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling secure communications between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external device (ED) over a telemetry channel. A telemetry interlock may be implemented which limits any communications between the ED and the IMD over the telemetry channel, where the telemetry interlock is released when the ED transmits an enable command to the IMD via a short-range communications channel requiring physical proximity to the IMD. As either an alternative or addition to the telemetry interlock, a data communications session between the IMD and ED over the telemetry channel may be allowed to occur only after the IMD and ED have been cryptographically authenticated to one other.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling wireless communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its wireless communication circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: A medical device system that receives cardiac data representing a plurality of stored arrhythmic episodes, and analyzing the cardiac data to identify and display a subset of stored arrhythmic episodes as a function of user-specified episode criteria. The medical device system presents a query window on an interactive display in order to receive user-specified episode criteria via one or more input fields. The medical device displays only those episodes matching the episode criteria such as arrhythmia type, zone of detection, date of occurrence and average heart rate in beats per minute (BPM).

Abstract: Systems, devices, structures, and methods are provided to present a visual display based on data from an implantable medical device. The display includes a chart showing the frequency of a detected type of arrhythmia over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and system for recording changes to programmable parameters in an implantable pulse generator. An executable program is stored in an implantable pulse generator. A parameter log is maintained in the implantable pulse generator, where the parameter log is used to record changes to the state of one or more programmable parameters of the executable program. When a change is detected in the state, from a first state to a second state, of the one or more programmable parameters the first state of the one or more programmable parameters changed to the second state are recorded in the parameter log. The parameter log is retrievable to allow for analysis of when and how changes took place to the executable program.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling wireless communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its wireless communication circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for media access control allow master and slave nodes of a network to communicate using the same carrier while avoiding collisions of transmissions. At least one slave node is an implantable device. Master nodes initiate all data exchange sequences, and slave nodes are responsive to the data exchange sequences. The exchange sequences begin by master nodes contending for use of the carrier through a countdown procedure. A set order of communications occurs between a master node who won the contention and a slave node being communicated with by the master node to transfer a data frame. Contention is then repeated to determine the next master node that is allowed to transfer a data frame. New master nodes entering the network employ a discovery process to poll for existing devices in the network.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry.

Abstract: Physiological data is generated from signals received from one or more leads associated with the IMD. The physiological data is sampled to generate a plurality of data samples. A predictive encoding algorithm is applied to the plurality of data samples to generate a plurality of encoded data samples each corresponding to one of the plurality of data samples. An entropy encoding algorithm is then applied to the plurality of encoded data samples to generate a plurality of code words each corresponding to one of the plurality of encoded data samples. The code words are then stored in a memory in the IMD.

Abstract: A method carried out by a therapeutic implantable medical device includes detecting a plurality of physiologic episodes and recording a set of diagnostic data associated with the plurality of physiological episodes. The plurality of physiologic episodes are prioritized based on episode types associated with the physiologic episodes. The diagnostic data is analyzed based on a minimum and maximum number associated with each episode type relating to a minimum and maximum number of sets of diagnostic data to be recorded for the associated episode type. The recorded set of diagnostic data is deleted only if a later recorded set of diagnostic data is associated with a detected physiologic episode having an episode type of a higher priority, and deletion of the set of diagnostic data would not result in fewer sets of diagnostic data than the minimum number specified for the episode type associated with the set of diagnostic data.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management system includes a user interface, such as an external programmer, for performing therapy energy threshold tests. The threshold tests allow the caregiver to determine the threshold energy at which paces capture the heart, i.e., cause a resulting contraction of the heart chamber to which the paces are delivered. The programmer provides recorded indications of the energy corresponding to each paced event, so that the caregiver can easily determine the point at which capture was lost. This recorded representation of pacing energy makes it easy for the caregiver to determine proper pacing thresholds to be used to ensure adequate pacing, while minimizing energy drain to prolong the useful life of the implanted device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, structures, and methods are provided to present a visual display based on data from an implantable medical device. The display includes a chart showing the frequency of a detected type of arrhythmia over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.

Abstract: An external programming system and method for implantable medical devices (IMDs) is disclosed. The external programming system includes a communication circuit, a display device, an input device, and a processor. The communication circuit is configured to link to an IMD to transmit or monitor IMD timing parameter settings. The display device is configured to display a textual representation of an IMD timing parameter setting and a specified IMD timing parameter limit, a graphical slide control comprising a movable feature indicating the IMD timing parameter setting, a graphical slide-control limit corresponding to the specified IMD timing parameter limit, and a graphical representation of physiologic information including a portion of said graphical representation aligned with the slide control movable feature. The input device is configured to adjust the movable feature in response to user input. The processor is configured to monitor or store an IMD timing parameter setting.

Abstract: Systems, devices, structures, and methods are provided to present a visual display based on data from an implantable medical device. The display includes a chart showing the frequency of a detected type of arrhythmia over a predetermined period of time.