Medtronic, Inc.

Kurt R Linberg

Chester Gary Nelson

William J Plombon

Randy L Merry

Michael Thomas Lee

James David Webb

Charles R Stomberg

Ronald Alan Stauffer

Jean K Ringold

Timothy Joseph Nichols

A plurality of co-operative and complementary software programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system to remotely monitor, manage and modify the operational and functional parameters of a plurality of implanted medical devices (IMDs). The system utilizes virtual electrophysiologist module (VEM), chronic monitoring module (CMM) and prescription program module (PPM) programs to effect specific therapeutic and diagnostic methods for managing the IMDs, remotely on a conditions and real-time basis. The modules enable remote and continuous monitoring, management and maintenance of the IMDs by identifying critical medical events, determining optimal clinical settings and upgrading performance parameters based on prescriptive data. The modules are implemented in a data center having high-speed computers operating in a web-enabled environment. The modules and the IMDs communicate through wireless communications system via a programmer or an interface medical unit (IMD).

Virtual remote monitor, alert, diagnostics and programming for implantable medical device systems

A programmer operating in association with a diverse number of implantable medical devices (IMDs) is in a bi-directional operable data, voice and video communications with a remote web-based expert data center. The programmer is in telemetric wireless communications with the IMDs. The data center is equipped to manage the operational and functional aspects of the programmer remotely thus importing expertise to the patient environment. Specifically the communications scheme is scalable and adaptable to enable high-speed interactions between the programmer and the remote center across various communications media. The remote center is able to remotely assess, monitor, evaluate for failure or conduct other performance checks on the programmer to implement a remote solution to those problems. Specifically, by utilizing the robust communication scheme integrated with the remote web-based expert data center, the system enables a real-time deployment of executable software commands to manage the programmer by remotely monitoring, updating software, performing remote repairs or replacement of components and alerting operators to significant problems before they become critical to the optimal performance and reliability of the programmer.

Apparatus and method for remote troubleshooting, maintenance and upgrade of implantable device systems

A system and method for remote invoicing and inventory control of medical components of an implantable medical device system upon implantation into a patient is described. The system includes at least one medical component implanted in a patient. A programmer is capable of identifying each medical component implanted in the patient. A remote expert data center globally accessible to the programmer is connected to the programmer via an interface. An invoice module positioned on the remote expert data center receives information identifying each medical component implanted in the patient and prepares an invoice including each medical component implanted into the patient. An inventory module updates records regarding inventory of each implanted medical component.

Apparatus and method for automated invoicing of medical device systems

A system and method for providing automated self-identification information of a remote medical component of an implantable medical device system to a centralized computer is disclosed. The system includes a memory component of the remote medical component containing self-identification information. An information network of the centralized expert data center is globally located relative to the programmer. An interface between the programmer and the information network is established for transmitting the self-identification information from the programmer component to the information network. An information identification module located in the information network recognizes the self-identification information of the components of the programmer.

Apparatus and method for remote self-identification of components in medical device systems

A communication system is provided which permits of communication between an deployed implantable medical device (IMD) and a computing resource capable of storing and distributing patient and device data. A deployed IMD may be polled by a network interface external to the host patient, and data may be received by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a computer for storage and distribution, and changes to a treatment or instruction regimen, or firmware or software upgrades, may then be transmitted to the network interface for immediate or eventual loading into the IMD via wireless communication. The system is adapted to provide communication service between multiple IMDs deployed in a patient or a number of patients.

Information network interrogation of an implanted device

A system and method for remote delivery of software-based simulated training and certification for technicians/operators involved in the management of programmers, programmer-IMD interface and related procedures is disclosed. Preferably a web-based expert data center directs the software-based simulated training and certification which is remotely imported to a programmer. The programmer or equivalent device is coupled to the web-based expert data center via preferably one of many data communication systems. A set of skill-based training activities corresponding to a plurality of software applications on the programmer is accessible from the programmer. The operator issues a training request from the programmer to the expert data center for a specific software application. The expert data center builds a simulated training module based on the operator's request, and returns the training module to the programmer. The training module executes a simulated skill-based training corresponding to the operator's desired software application. Upon completion of the training module, the training results are analyzed. Thereafter, certification may be issued if the operator scores a passing grade on a test at the end of the training. The training results and certification information are archived on the computer, and the certification is electronically transmitted to a certification authority. Upon certification, the operator is granted access to use the specific software application through an authorization key.

Remote delivery of software-based training for implantable medical device systems

A system and method for providing an automated software update to a programmer or equivalent device used in implantable medical device system is disclosed. The programmer comprises a remote instrument configuration database containing current instrument configuration information. The programmer user interface initiates an interface to a centralized globally accessible remote expert data center located at a distal location relative to the programmer. The remote expert data center includes an instrument configuration database containing configuration data for the programmer. The remote expert data center also includes a released software database containing software applications compatible with the programmer. Further, the remote expert data center contains a rule set database which identifies an approved software application for the programmer. A management component of the remote expert data center enables the transmission of the approved software application to the programmer.

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Kurt R Linberg