Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device in which an antenna is embedded within a dielectric around the periphery of the device. Such a circumferential antenna saves space while still permitting far-field telemetry over a desired range of frequencies.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a radio-frequency (RF) telemetry circuit and a power connection module through which the RF telemetry circuit is connected to an energy source such as a battery. The power connection module connects power from the energy source to at least one portion of the RF telemetry circuit when a user initiates an RF telemetry session. After the RF telemetry session is completed, the power connection module shuts off the at least one portion of the RF telemetry circuit. Power-on examples include a wireless telemetry activation signal received by a low power radio receiver in the implantable device, a physical motion detected by an activity sensor in the implantable device, an activation of an inductive telemetry circuit in the implantable device, a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detector in the implantable device, and/or a telemetry activation signal detected by a sensing circuit included in the implantable device.

Abstract: An implantable, self-contained, user-attachable or detachable telemetry module plugs into an implantable medical device to provide or supplement one or more telemetry functions needed by a patient having certain health conditions. A user-attachable or detachable telemetry module allows a user, such as a physician or other care provider, to select a telemetry module and attach it to a medical device. Various types of telemetry are implemented as various user-attachable or detachable telemetry modules, each providing one or more telemetry functions suitable for a particular patient whose condition imposes a particular demand on telemetry. A care provider selects a user-attachable or detachable telemetry module most suited for the particular patient, which improves healthcare cost efficiency. One example of user-attachable or detachable telemetry module includes a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter-receiver circuit module and a lead carrying an antenna.

Abstract: This document discusses a system that includes an intermediary telemetry interface device for communicating between a cardiac rhythm management system or other implantable medical device and a programmer or other remote device. One example provides an inductive near-field communication link between the telemetry interface and the implantable medical device, and a radio-frequency (RF) far-field communication link between the telemetry interface device and the remote device. The telemetry interface device provides data buffering. In another example, the telemetry interface device includes a data processing module for compressing and/or decompressing data, or for extracting information from data. Such information extraction may include obtaining heart rate, interval, and/or depolarization morphology information from an electrogram signal received from the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A telemetry system enabling radio frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device, or programmer, in which the RF circuitry is normally maintained in a powered down state in order to conserve power. At synchronized wakeup intervals, one of the devices designated as a master device powers up its RF transmitter to request a communications session, and the other device designated as a slave device powers up its RF transmitter to listen for the request. Telemetry is conducted using a far field or near field communication link.

Abstract: A telemetry system enabling radio frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device, or programmer, in which the RF circuitry is normally maintained in a powered down state in order to conserve power. At synchronized wakeup intervals, one of the devices designated as a master device powers up its RF transmitter to request a communications session, and the other device designated as a slave device powers up its RF transmitter to listen for the request. Telemetry is conducted using a far field or near field communication link.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device utilizing far-field electromagnetic radiation. Such radio-frequency communications can take place over much greater distances than with inductively coupled antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device in which an antenna is embedded within a dielectric around the periphery of the device. Such a circumferential antenna saves space while still permitting far-field telemetry over a desired range of frequencies.

Abstract: A telemetry system enabling radio-frequency communications between an implantable medical device and an external device which requires minimal power consumption by the implantable device. The implantable device uses an antenna tuning circuit to vary the impedance of an antenna and phase modulate a carrier signal reflected back to the external device with digital message data.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator with the capability of storing body temperature measurements taken periodically and/or when triggered by particular events.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device in which an antenna is embedded within a dielectric around the periphery of the device. Such a circumferential antenna saves space while still permitting far-field telemetry over a desired range of frequencies.

Abstract: A timing circuit especially designed for use in implantable medical devices provides both a low frequency clock and a high frequency clock. The low frequency clock and high frequency clock are compared each time the oscillator producing the high frequency clock is enabled and the result of the comparison is used to retrim the high frequency oscillator to maintain a stable output frequency, even when subjected to drift. Additional circuitry is provided for signaling an oscillator fault in the event that an error signal resulting from the comparison of the low frequency clock with the high frequency clock exceeds a predetermined limit value. Digital trim values are stored for fast and controlled oscillator start-up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device in which an antenna is embedded within a dielectric compartment of the device. A helical antenna may be employed to save space while still permitting far-field telemetry over a desired range of frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device utilizing the device housing as an antenna. Such radio-frequency communications can take place over much greater distances than with inductively coupled antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device utilizing far-field electromagnetic radiation. Such radio-frequency communications can take place over much greater distances than with inductively coupled antennas.