Abstract: A communicator facilitates communications with a remote server via a wireless network supporting a plurality of disparate data transport mechanisms having differing characteristics. A processor coupled to memory is disposed in a communicator housing, which is configured for portability. The memory stores wireless radio firmware and data transfer instructions that are executable by the processor for transferring data to the remote server in accordance with a priority level. The priority level is based in part on criticality of the data and the communicator status. A radio disposed in the housing effects communications via the wireless network in accordance with the firmware. A power source in the housing supplies power for communicator components. The processor executes program instructions for selecting a data transport mechanism among the plurality transport mechanisms based on the priority level, and transmits the data via the wireless network via the radio using the selected transport mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a remote implantable medical device (IMD) clinician with evaluation of a patient having an IMD. The method includes capturing audio/video data of the patient while the patient performs a first evaluation protocol at a first location and performing a pattern recognition analysis of the audio/video data of the patient. The analysis includes comparing specific portions of the audio/video data to like portions of previous audio/video data of the patient that were recorded while the patient performed the first evaluation protocol. Yet another step is providing a report of any changes identified during the pattern recognition analysis.

Abstract: A portable housing 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 are effected between an implantable medical device and the first radio in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and between the second radio and the wireless network in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. The first and second radios are configured to operate cooperatively in a first testing configuration, by which the first radio operates as a transmitter and the second radio operates as a receiver, and cooperatively in a second testing configuration, by which the second radio operates as a transmitter and the first radio operates as a receiver. Functional testing of the first and second radios is implemented using one or both of the first and second testing configurations.

Abstract: A patient communicator for communicating with a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and facilitating communications with a remote server via a wireless network. The communicator has a housing configured for portability, and an identity module to store subscriber identification data. A processor is coupled to the identity module and is configured to prevent data exchange with the PIMD unless the identity module is authorized for use. Memory coupled to the processor stores wireless radio firmware and medical firmware. A first radio is configured to effect communications with the PIMD in accordance with execution of the medical firmware by the processor. A second radio is configured to effect communications via a channel of the wireless network with a remote server in accordance with execution of the wireless radio firmware by the processor. The processor is generally configured to use subscriber identification data to facilitate authentication by and of the remote server.

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 system and method are described herein including an implantable medical device (IMD) configured to be programmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) settings for use during an MRI scan, wherein the IMD stores identity data that uniquely identifies the IMD or a patient having the IMD. The system includes an external storage media configured to receive MRI settings associated with the IMD and configured to store the MRI settings associated with the IMD. The system also includes a programmer configured to retrieve identity data from IMD, retrieve MRI settings associated with the IMD from the external storage media and program the IMD using the MRI settings.

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: 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 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 housing 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 are effected between an implantable medical device and the first radio in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and between the second radio and the wireless network in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. The first and second radios are configured to operate cooperatively in a first testing configuration, by which the first radio operates as a transmitter and the second radio operates as a receiver, and cooperatively in a second testing configuration, by which the second radio operates as a transmitter and the first radio operates as a receiver. Functional testing of the first and second radios is implemented using one or both of the first and second testing configurations.