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 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 system including an external medical data telemetry device to communicate with an implantable medical device (IMD). The external medical data telemetry device includes a processor, a reconfigurable radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuit, at least one far-field antenna, and a user interface. The reconfigurable RF transceiver circuit modulates an outgoing IMD data signal and demodulates an incoming IMD data signal using a modulation type that is selectable from a plurality of modulation types by the processor. The processor selects the modulation type using information entered by a user through the user interface.

Abstract: A structure and method for electrically isolating a universal serial bus (USB) communication link is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for isolating a host from a peripheral. The system includes a first programmable logic device for selectively passing two host USB lines into four host unidirectional lines. Four optoisolators are connected to the first programmable device via the four host unidirectional lines. A second programmable logic device for selectively passing four peripheral unidirectional lines into two peripheral USB lines is connected to the four optoisolators via the four peripheral unidirectional lines. The first and second programmable logic devices detect arriving edge transitions to determine whether a signal is arriving from a host or a peripheral, and disable and enable corresponding input and output lines to maintain unidirectional flow of the signal through the four optoisolators. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A pacing system analyzer (PSA) having three or more individually controllable sensing and pacing channels provides for testing and measurement during an operation for implanting a pacemaker having three or more sensing and pacing channels. The PSA allows control and adjustment of pacing parameters including cross-channel pacing parameters relating activities between any two of the three or more channels, such as atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delays. The PSA is also capable of, among other things, displaying real-time cardiac signals, measuring amplitude and slew rate of cardiac depolarizations, and measuring lead impedance for each of the sensing and pacing channels, as well as measuring time intervals between cardiac depolarizations in two different sensing and pacing channels. In one embodiment, the PSA includes individually controllable atrial, right ventricular (RV), and left ventricular (LV) sensing and pacing channels.

Abstract: A system for communicating with an implantable medical device via RF telemetry is disclosed which mitigates the effects of nulls caused by, e.g., multi-path distortion. In one embodiment, signals transmitted by the implantable device to an external device are simultaneously received with a pair of separate spaced apart first and second antennas. The antennas may provide spatial and/or polar diversity. The presence of nulls in the implantable device's transmission pattern can be determined by detecting an error rate in the signals received from the implantable device with each antenna.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system includes an implanted device communicating with an external device via telemetry. The implanted device and the external device each have a telemetry module connected to an antenna system to support a radio-frequency (RF) telemetry link. The antenna system of the external device has a manually or automatically controllable directionality. The controllable directionality is achieved, for example, by using two or more directional antennas, one non-directional antenna and one or more directional antennas, or an electronically steerable phased-array directional antenna.

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: The present invention relates to a wireless handheld device that is configured to communicate with an implanted device using inductive telemetry. The handheld device is preferably battery operated and includes a battery powered controller and a battery powered inductive coil. The inductive coil is configured to communicate with an inductive coil of the implanted device using inductive telemetry. The handheld device may include one battery voltage source that powers both the controller and the inductive coil, or multiple battery voltage sources to power the controller and inductive coil separately. In a single battery voltage source embodiment, the voltage may be amplified or reduced to meet the power needs of the controller and inductive coil. In a multiple battery voltage source embodiment, the voltage sources may be combined to increase the power output requirements of the inductive coil.

Abstract: A handheld cardiac rhythm management device for use by a patient to request status information from an implantable pulse generating device and to request that the pulse generating device provide a rhythm altering shock to the patient's heart. The device includes a plurality of deadfront status indicator lamps on a front of a case that are visible to the patient when the controller is held in the patient's hand. The device also includes buttons on the front of the case and a telemetry circuit for bi-directional communication with the implantable pulse generating device.

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: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for programming a wireless handheld device and communicating between the handheld device and a programmer using inductive telemetry. The method may include the steps of activating a boot load mode of the handheld device, positioning the handheld device in proximity to a programming device, and downloading firmware to the handheld device from the programming device using inductive telemetry. The apparatus may include an inductive coil for inductive telemetry and a memory. The inductive coil is configured to be activated in response to inductive signals from an inductive coil of the programmer, thereby providing communication between the handheld device and the programmer. Communication between the handheld device and the programmer may include downloading firmware to the handheld device, and storing the downloaded firmware in the memory.