Abstract: In a method and a system for organizing not yet implanted implantable medical devices, each having a telemetry unit associated therewith, a local administration unit transmits an inquiry signal to at least one of the telemetry units and receives a return signal therefrom in response to the inquiry signal. The return signal establishes the existence of the medical device, and the local administration unit, or a remote external unit in communication with the local administration unit, can then determine a course of action to be taken, such as a recall procedure, invoicing or taking inventory, based on the return signal from the medical device.

Abstract: In a method for operating a system having an implantable medical device that communicates by wireless telemetry data exchange with an external unit, an algorithm is employed, selecting either an internal calculation processor in the implantable device or an external calculation processor in the external unit for accomplishing a given data processing. If the sum of an estimated amount of energy to process the data in the internal calculation processor and an estimated amount of energy required to then transmit an expected amount of result data to the external unit exceeds an estimated amount of energy required to transmit the source data to the external unit, the external calculation processor is selected. Otherwise, the internal calculation processor is selected. The method thereby results in a minimal energy consumption in the implantable medical device. This, in turn, allows for a device with a long battery lifetime and thus an improved patient comfort.

Abstract: In a method for providing software to an implantable medical device system, including an implanted medical device and a presentation unit in communication with each other, a most current version of software for operating one or more of these system units is stored at a server which is remote from the implanted medical device system. Upon each start-up of the presentation unit, a communication link is established between the server and the presentation unit, and information is provided from the presentation unit to the server identifying the software which is respectively currently stored in one or more of the system units. The server determines whether the currently stored software in the system units requires an update and, if so, the server downloads the software version stored at the server to any of the system units which is/are in need of updated software.

Abstract: A programmer for an implantable medical device includes a display which displays a graphical representation of an area of interaction of the medical device within a patient. The graphical representation includes at least one independently selectable graphical object. The programmer includes a unit for associating parameters or functions used in controlling the medical device with the object, so that when an operator, via the programmer, selects an object, the associated parameters or functions are displayed for consultation, modification or execution. By directly linking the programmable parameter or function with an image of the device and the surrounding parts of the patient's body, the clinician is immediately presented with a clear and understandable link between the parameters and a physical entity.

Abstract: In a method and a system for organizing not yet implanted implantable medical devices, each having a telemetry unit associated therewith, a local administration unit transmits an inquiry signal to at least one of the telemetry units and receives a return signal therefrom in response to the inquiry signal. The return signal establishes the existence of the medical device, and the local administration unit, or a remote external unit in communication with the local administration unit, can then determine a course of action to be taken, such as a recall procedure, invoicing or taking inventory, based on the return signal from the medical device.

Abstract: In a method for operating a system having an implantable medical device that communicates by wireless telemetry data exchange with an external unit, an algorithm is employed, selecting either an internal calculation processor in the implantable device or an external calculation processor in the external unit for accomplishing a given data processing. If the sum of an estimated amount of energy to process the data in the internal calculation processor and an estimated amount of energy required to then transmit an expected amount of result data to the external unit exceeds an estimated amount of energy required to transmit the source data to the external unit, the external calculation processor is selected. Otherwise, the internal calculation processor is selected. The method thereby results in a minimal energy consumption in the implantable medical device. This, in turn, allows for a device with a long battery lifetime and thus an improved patient comfort.

Abstract: In a method for providing software to an implantable medical device system, including an implanted medical device and a presentation unit in communication with each other, a most current version of software for operating one or more of these system units is stored at a server which is remote from the implanted medical device system. Upon each start-up of the presentation unit, a communication link is established between the server and the presentation unit, and information is provided from the presentation unit to the server identifying the software which is respectively currently stored in one or more of the system units. The server determines whether the currently stored software in the system units requires an update and, if so, the server downloads the software version stored at the server to any of the system units which is/are in need of updated software.