Abstract: A system and method for managing alert notifications in an automated patient management system is presented. One or more settings specifying patient data collection periodicity are defined. One or more patient data sources operating on a remotely managed patient and selected from at least one of a physiological sensor and a therapy delivery device are also defined. One or more triggers associated with a condition occurring in relation to at least one such patient data evaluateable subsequent to collection are defined. Finally, a notification scheme executable upon detection of at least one such trigger is determined to provide an external indicator of the condition occurrence.

Abstract: A system and related method for identifying a trigger event to a patient health-related exacerbation. The system includes at least one sensor configured to collect data related to the patient health-related exacerbation, an analyzer configured to validate the collected data, a patient interface device configured to receive patient inputs to at least one question, and an identifier device configured to receive the patient inputs and collected data and identify the trigger event. The system may also include an expert system configured to receive the patient inputs and the validated collected data and identify a primary patient disease, and a reporting device configured to generate reports related to the identified primary patient disease, patient inputs, and sensed patient conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for managing locally-initiated medical device interrogation is presented. An interface is provided over which to retrieve patient data recorded and transiently staged by a medical device monitoring physiological measures of a patient. The patient data is periodically retrieved by interfacing to and interrogating the medical device per a pre-defined schedule through the interface. Further retrieval of the patient data is permitted independent of the pre-defined schedule. The system stores remotely-specifiable criteria specified by a caregiver and controls patient-initiated patient data retrieval in accordance with the criteria.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation.

Abstract: A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation.

Abstract: An external data processing device to interface with an ambulatory repeater and method thereof is presented. An external data processing device is interfaced in far field telemetric communication with an ambulatory repeater. The external data processing device receives sensitive information preencrypted prior to implant under a cryptographic key uniquely assigned to an implantable medical device over a secure connection from the ambulatory repeater. Physiological measures retrieved from the implantable medical device by the ambulatory repeater are received by the external data processing device over a non-secure connection.

Abstract: A system and method for managing locally-initiated medical device interrogation is presented. An interface is provided over which to retrieve patient data recorded and transiently staged by a medical device monitoring physiological measures of a patient. The patient data is periodically retrieved by interfacing to and interrogating the medical device per a pre-defined schedule through the interface. Further retrieval of the patient data is permitted independent of the pre-defined schedule. The system stores remotely-specifiable criteria specified by a caregiver and controls patient-initiated patient data retrieval in accordance with the criteria.

Abstract: A system and method for managing locally-initiated medical device interrogation is presented. A noncontinuously coupleable interface is provided over which to retrieve patient data recorded and transiently staged by a medical device monitoring physiological measures of a patient. The patient data is periodically retrieved by interfacing to and interrogating the medical device per a pre-defined schedule defining autonomous patient data retrieval frequency. Further retrieval of the patient data is permitted independent of the pre-defined schedule by enabling operation of the interface based on a remotely-specifiable criteria for controlling locally-initiated patient data retrieval.

Abstract: A system and method for managing coordination of collected patient data in an automated patient management system is presented. One or more displays of patient data are defined. The patient data is collected from one or more patient data sources operating on a remotely managed patient and selected from at least one of a physiological sensor and a therapy delivery device. One or more controls of patient data collection to specify types of patient data to be collected and periodicities of the patient data collection in relation to the patient data displays are defined. The patient data displays and patient data controls in relation to the data collection of a plurality of patient data types and patient data collection periodicities are coordinated.

Abstract: A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: Methods facilitate inserting a cardiac lead into a patient's vasculature. A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and method for integrated health care home communication and monitoring. A method comprising: communicating, from a remote server to an external interface device that communicates with a medical device in use by a patient, a patient communication to be received by the patient; and receiving, from the external interface device, at the remote server, a patient acknowledgement to the patient communication, the patient acknowledgement indicative of the patient communication having been delivered by the external interface device to the patient and acknowledging that the patient has received the patient communication.

Abstract: A system and method for managing locally-initiated medical device interrogation is presented. A noncontinuously coupleable interface is provided over which to retrieve patient data recorded and transiently staged by a medical device monitoring physiological measures of a patient. The patient data is periodically retrieved by interfacing to and interrogating the medical device per a pre-defined schedule defining autonomous patient data retrieval frequency. Further retrieval of the patient data is permitted independent of the pre-defined schedule by enabling operation of the interface based on a remotely-specifiable criteria for controlling locally-initiated patient data retrieval.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care and method thereof is presented. At least one sensor is communicatively interfaced to measure and collect patient health information on an ad hoc basis. A cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to an implantable medical device. Authorization to access patient health information stored on the implantable medical device is authenticated using an ambulatory repeater. The ambulatory repeater is interfaced to the at least one sensor and implantable medical device through wireless telemetry and interfaced to an external data processing device through wireless communications. The patient health information is exchanged with the at least one sensor, implantable medical device and external data processing device via the ambulatory repeater.

Abstract: A patient management system includes a device, an interactive display, a repeater unit, and a host. The device assesses at least one dietary condition of a patient. The interactive display receives patient input related to the patient's dietary conditions and communicates dietary feedback to the patient. The system may also include at least one sensor configured to assess at least one dietary condition of the patient. The repeater unit collects information from the device, the interactive display and the sensors. The host communicates with the repeater through a network. The patient's own input of dietary information into the system can be useful for verifying sources of measured data and enhancing feedback given to the patient. The system is configured to perform accurately even in the absence of patient input or the input of incorrect information by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method facilitates inserting a cardiac lead into a patient's vasculature. The cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A system and method for managing alert notifications in an automated patient management system is presented. One or more settings specifying patient data collection periodicity are defined. One or more patient data sources operating on a remotely managed patient and selected from at least one of a physiological sensor and a therapy delivery device are also defined. One or more triggers associated with a condition occurring in relation to at least one such patient data evaluateable subsequent to collection are defined. Finally, a notification scheme executable upon detection of at least one such trigger is determined to provide an external indicator of the condition occurrence.

Abstract: A system and method for managing patient triage in an automated patient management system is presented. A criteria for placement of patient data into a display is defined for a plurality of remotely managed patients. The patient data originates from one or more patient data sources operating on each such patient and selected from at least one of a physiological sensor and a therapy delivery device. An ordering of the patient data within the display is defined based on a need of care in relation to one or more of a type of health condition, severity of the health condition, and facilities available to attend to the health condition. An organization of the patient data within the display is defined in relation to metadata associated with the patient data.