Fail-safe programming for implantable medical device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9713724-B2
Application number	US-201113277290-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2011
Priority date	Aug 29, 2003
Publication date	Jul 25, 2017
Grant date	Jul 25, 2017

Abstract

In general, the invention is directed to a system with a fail-safe mode for remote programming of medical devices, such as implantable medical devices (IMDs). During a remote programming session, an adverse event, such as a programming session failure, may prevent proper completion of a programming or result in improper programming due to data corruption or other factors. If a programming session is not completed correctly, the IMD is susceptible to improper operation, possibly exposing a patient to delivery of unnecessary or inappropriate therapies. A fail-safe mode reduces the likelihood of improper operation following a programming session failure. The fail-safe mode defines one or more fail-safe operations designed to preserve proper operation of the IMD. In some embodiments, the fail-safe operations include notifying a person concerning the failure of the programming session, modifying programming parameters within the implantable medical device, and delivering a therapy to a patient.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
an implantable medical device;
a local programmer configured to program the implantable medical device;
a remote programmer configured to communicate with the local programmer over a telecommunication link to initiate a remote programming session with the implantable medical device when the remote programmer is located a significant distance from the implantable medical device, wherein the remote programmer is configured to, during the remote programming session, program the implantable medical device via the local programmer with operating parameters defining operation of the implantable medical device; and
a processor configured to:
in the event the remote programming session succeeds, operate the implantable medical device according to the operating parameters following the remote programming session, and
invoke a fail-safe operation in the event the remote programming session fails, wherein the processor is configured to invoke the fail-safe operation by at least automatically modifying the operating parameters by restoring a previous operating parameter setting of the implantable medical device and operating the implantable medical device according to the modified operating parameters following the failed remote programming session.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit a notification to a person indicating the failure of the programming session when the fail-safe mode is invoked.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein, to transmit the notification, the processor is configured to generate an alarm from within the implantable medical device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein, to generate the alarm from within the implantable medical device, the processor is configured to generate at least one of a vibration or a sound.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein, to transmit the notification, the processor is configured to send an electronic message to the person.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the electronic message includes one of a short messaging service (SMS) message, an instant messenger message, an email, an audible alert on the remote programmer, a visual alert on the remote programmer, an audible alert on a wireless device, and a visual alert on a wireless device.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a failure detection module configured to detect one of inappropriate operation of the implantable medical device or an inappropriate response of the patient to therapy provided by the implantable medical device.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein implantable medical device includes the failure detection module.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the local programmer includes the failure detection module.

10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a notification device configured to generate a notification if the programming session fails.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein implantable medical device includes the processor.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the local programmer includes the processor.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein, to program the implantable medical device via the local programmer, the remote programmer is configured to transmit first signals to the local programmer, and the local programmer is configured to transmit second signals from to the implantable medical device.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein remote programmer is configured to transmit the first signals to the local programmer via the internet.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the implantable medical device includes one of a cardiac pacemaker, a neurostimulator, or a drug pump.

Assignees

• Petersen Christopher M
• Willenbring James E
• Medtronic Inc

Inventors

• Petersen Christopher M
• Willenbring James E

Classifications

• A61N1/37264

  Changing the program; Upgrading firmware · CPC title

• A61N1/37252

  Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data · CPC title

• A61N1/37211

  Means for communicating with stimulators · CPC title

• A61N1/37258 Primary

  Alerting the patient · CPC title

• G16H40/67

  for remote operation · CPC title