Medtronic Minimed, Inc.

Other

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Mobile Technics LLC

John D Richert

John T Armstrong

Ronald J Lebel

Varaz Shahmirian

Timothy J Starkweather

Philip T Weiss

Robert C Dennard

Sam W Bowman, Iv

Daniel H Villegas

John P Palmer

Wayne Arthur Noda

John Charles Gord

Harold Alexander Heitzmann

Ann Yadlowsky

Michael LeRoy Gelvin

Morgan T McKeown

John A Frazier

George Francis Sutton, Iii

Morgan T Mckeown

Ann B Yadlowsky

Michael Le Roy Gelvin

An RFID system and method for communicating between a host computer, one or more interrogators connected to the host computer, and a large body of transponders distributed within an area covered by the interrogators. Each transponder originally has a common identification code, and upon initialization by the host computer internally generates a unique identification code based upon an internally generated random number. The host, through the interrogators, reads each of the identification codes associated with each transponder by iteratively transmitting a read identification code command along with a controlled variable. Each transponder compares the received controlled variable to an internally generated random number, and selectively transmits its identification code based upon the outcome of this comparison. After the completion of each read identification code iteration, the host adjusts the controlled variable based upon the responses received in the previous iteration. Preferably, communications between the interrogators and the transponders are DSSS signals in TDMA format, and the transponders use the random number generator to assign a time slot for transmission of their response. Each interrogator includes an antenna system utilizing a switch matrix to connect multiple antennas having different polarizations, which ensures that all transponders within the range of the interrogator receive the signals from the interrogator. In a further aspect, the interrogators are arranged in groups, each group in nearest neighbor format, to reduce the time for reading the transponders and the emissions generated when more than one interrogator is active at the same time.

Method and system for communicating with and tracking RFID transponders

In one embodiment the present invention provides a wireless communication system for medical sensor data. This communications system includes a portable unit that connects to a wireless sensor and a monitor unit that connects to a sensor monitor. Once activated, the units will self organize into a wireless communication structure controlled by the portable unit. As other pairs of units activate, they can self-organize their transmissions by joining an existing network or by creating new networks.

Wireless communication protocol for a medical sensor system

An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.

Ambulatory medical apparatus and method using a robust communication protocol

An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and handheld communication device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein transmitted messages have enhanced numbers of and/or regularity of bit transitions to minimize the risk of synchronization loss between transmitted bits of data and received bits of data. Bit transitions for portions of messages may be enhanced by applying a pseudo-randomization scheme to those portions of messages that are transmitted in a way that allows the receiver to extract the original data from the received randomized data. Preferred randomization techniques modify (i.e. randomize) the data using a CRC value that is being accumulated while simultaneously causing the modified data to modify subsequent accumulation of the CRC itself. Upon reception, the reversal of data randomization occurs so that the intended message is appropriately received.

Method and apparatus for communicating between an ambulatory medical device and a control device via telemetry using randomized data

An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and an external device communicate with one another via telemetry messages that are receivable only during windows or listening periods. Each listening period is open for a prescribed period of time and is spaced from successive listening periods by an interval. The prescribed period of time is typically kept small to minimize power consumption. To increase likelihood of successful communication, the window may be forced to an open state, by use of an attention signal, in anticipation of an incoming message. To further minimize power consumption, it is desirable to minimize use of extended attention signals, which is accomplished by the transmitter maintaining an estimate of listening period start times and attempting to send messages only during listening periods. In the communication device, the estimate is updated as a result of information obtained with the reception of each message from the medical device.

Ambulatory medical apparatus and method using a telemetry system with predefined reception listening periods

Growing community of inventors

La Habra Heights, CA, United States of America

John D Richert