Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a system with a fail-safe mode for remote programming of medical devices, such as implantable medical devices (IMDs). During a remote programming session, an adverse event, such as a programming session failure, may prevent proper completion of a programming or result in improper programming due to data corruption or other factors. If a programming session is not completed correctly, the IMD is susceptible to improper operation, possibly exposing a patient to delivery of unnecessary or inappropriate therapies. A fail-safe mode reduces the likelihood of improper operation following a programming session failure. The fail-safe mode defines one or more fail-safe operations designed to preserve proper operation of the IMD. In some embodiments, the fail-safe operations include notifying a person concerning the failure of the programming session, modifying programming parameters within the implantable medical device, and delivering a therapy to a patient.

Abstract: A remote patient management system and method are provided including customizable workflow preferences. The method includes storing a user-programmed or “best practices” set of workflow operations, receiving a remote medical device data transmission, selecting a workflow preference in response to information contained in or relating to the data transmission, and performing remote patient management operations according to the selected workflow preference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system in which a medical device selects less than all of its stored information and provides the selected subset of information to a data mart for storage, processing, and/or communication to one or more interested parties. In many embodiments, customers, patients, or even components of the medical device or of the remote patient management system can access selected medical device information (e.g., customers can access medical device information tailored to the care they are providing to one or more patients). In many embodiments, customers can receive such medical device information according to a schedule that best suits their care (or whenever they desire such information, irrespective of a schedule). In many embodiments, providing less than full transmissions to the data mart reduces the strain on medical device batteries.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a system with a fail-safe mode for remote programming of medical devices, such as implantable medical devices (IMDs). During a remote programming session, an adverse event, such as a programming session failure, may prevent proper completion of a programming or result in improper programming due to data corruption or other factors. If a programming session is not completed correctly, the IMD is susceptible to improper operation, possibly exposing a patient to delivery of unnecessary or inappropriate therapies. A fail-safe mode reduces the likelihood of improper operation following a programming session failure. The fail-safe mode defines one or more fail-safe operations designed to preserve proper operation of the IMD. In some embodiments, the fail-safe operations include notifying a person concerning the failure of the programming session, modifying programming parameters within the implantable medical device, and delivering a therapy to a patient.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a system with a fail-safe mode for remote programming of medical devices, such as implantable medical devices (IMDs). During a remote programming session, an adverse event, such as a programming session failure, may prevent proper completion of a programming or result in improper programming due to data corruption or other factors. If a programming session is not completed correctly, the IMD is susceptible to improper operation, possibly exposing a patient to delivery of unnecessary or inappropriate therapies. A fail-safe mode reduces the likelihood of improper operation following a programming session failure. The fail-safe mode defines one or more fail-safe operations designed to preserve proper operation of the IMD. In some embodiments, the fail-safe operations include notifying a person concerning the failure of the programming session, modifying programming parameters within the implantable medical device, and delivering a therapy to a patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system in which a medical device selects less than all of its stored information and provides the selected subset of information to a data mart for storage, processing, and/or communication to one or more interested parties. In many embodiments, customers, patients, or even components of the medical device or of the remote patient management system can access selected medical device information (e.g., customers can access medical device information tailored to the care they are providing to one or more patients). In many embodiments, customers can receive such medical device information according to a schedule that best suits their care (or whenever they desire such information, irrespective of a schedule). In many embodiments, providing less than full transmissions to the data mart reduces the strain on medical device batteries.

Abstract: A system for displaying trended data retrieved from a medical device comprising a medical device which monitors and stores trended patient data, a data center, and an intermediate data relay device. The intermediate device receives stored trended patient data from the medical device and uploads the data to the data center. The data center merges the uploaded data with patient data obtained during previous data uploads. Clinicians can access the uploaded and merged patient using an interactive web page which allows the clinicians to seamlessly view the data.

Abstract: A remote programming method is provided for safe and secure programming of a medical device at a remote location. A centralized programming instrument for use by a clinician or third party is provided with a network communication connection with a remote external medical device, such as a home programmer or monitor. The external medical device is located in the vicinity of a patient having an implantable medical device (IMD) and is in bi-directional telemetric communication with the IMD to allow instructions received from the centralized programming instrument to be transferred to the IMD. The remote programming method used for transferring information between the central programming instrument and an IMD includes measures to promote safe and secure remote programming of the IMD, which measures may include authorization requirements, programming condition requirements, implementation of programmed data requirements, and maintenance of a remote programming log.

Abstract: A remote programming method is provided for safe and secure programming of a medical device at a remote location. A centralized programming instrument for use by a clinician or third party is provided with a network communication connection with a remote external medical device, such as a home programmer or monitor. The external medical device is located in the vicinity of a patient having an implantable medical device (IMD) and is in bi-directional telemetric communication with the IMD to allow instructions received from the centralized programming instrument to be transferred to the IMD. The remote programming method used for transferring information between the central programming instrument and an IMD includes measures to promote safe and secure remote programming of the IMD, which measures may include authorization requirements, programming condition requirements, implementation of programmed data requirements, and maintenance of a remote programming log.

Abstract: An external physiologic or implanted device monitor/controller (“monitor”) designed to be attached to the body, as for example, to the skin of the patient. The monitor is designed to detect the therapeutic outputs actually produced by the implanted medical device. Having knowledge of the operation of the implanted medical device, the monitor may then deduce, or decode, the physiologic conditions and/or devices conditions sensed by the implanted medical device. The monitor is then able to perform an action appropriate to the sensed condition and the specific implementation.

Abstract: An alert system for alerting a clinician to an occurrence of an event detected by an implantable medical device includes a monitor and a patient management network. The implantable medical device includes a means for detecting the occurrence of the event and initiating a wireless transmission of data related to the event. The monitor is configured to receive the wireless transmission of data and transfer the data. The patient management network is configured to receive the data and store the data on a data storage device. The patient management network includes a web presentation service for creating a website from the data stored on the data storage device, the website configured to alert the clinician to the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: The invention provides systems to prevent the delivery of anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) following a defibrillation threshold (DFT) induction at implant. An algorithm that classifies episodes as induced or spontaneous is implemented, thereby enabling the ATP during charging feature to be operable only when spontaneous episodes are detected while temporarily suspending the ATP feature during the delivery of defibrillation shock after induction has been confirmed. Further, a user interface enables users to interact with an implantable medical device (IMD), particularly for setting a defibrillation threshold (DFT) or a 50 Hz burst from a single programmer screen. The user interface includes various functionalities to promote quick user access to parameters that govern diagnosis, therapy and other features of the IMD. A single screen enables the user to complete automatic and/or manual DFT inductions or a 50 Hz burst from a programmer interface while acquiring associated documentation from the same interface.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.

Abstract: The invention provides systems to prevent the delivery of anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) following a defibrillation threshold (DFT) induction at implant. An algorithm that classifies episodes as induced or spontaneous is implemented, thereby enabling the ATP during charging feature to be operable only when spontaneous episodes are detected while temporarily suspending the ATP feature during the delivery of defibrillation shock after induction has been confirmed. Further, a user interface enables users to interact with an implantable medical device (IMD), particularly for setting a defibrillation threshold (DFT) or a 50 Hz burst from a single programmer screen. The user interface includes various functionalities to promote quick user access to parameters that govern diagnosis, therapy and other features of the IMD. A single screen enables the user to complete automatic and/or manual DFT inductions or a 50 Hz burst from a programmer interface while acquiring associated documentation from the same interface.

Abstract: The invention presents techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.

Abstract: An external physiologic or implanted device monitor/controller (“monitor”) designed to be attached to the body, as for example, to the skin of the patient. The monitor is designed to detect the therapeutic outputs actually produced by the implanted medical device. Having knowledge of the operation of the implanted medical device, the monitor may then deduce, or decode, the physiologic conditions and/or devices conditions sensed by the implanted medical device. The monitor is then able to perform an action appropriate to the sensed condition and the specific implementation.