Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Electrical therapeutic systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-22
2001-05-22
Getzow, Scott M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Electrical therapeutic systems
C607S060000, C607S032000, C128S904000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236889
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to implantable medical devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to systems and methods for facilitating transmission of acoustic telemetry data between an implantable medical device and a communication channel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various telemetry techniques have been developed to facilitate transmission of information between an implantable medical device and an external programming unit. A typical programming unit is understood in the art to constitute a sophisticated and expensive system that provides for the downlinking and uplinking of electromagnetic signal information between an implantable medical device and the programming unit. Although such a conventional telemetry approach has been well received and provides for excellent data rates, it is appreciated in the industry that the high cost and complexity of a typical programming unit often precludes use of such systems in certain applications.
For many patients provided with an implantable medical device, continuous and/or follow-up monitoring is considered by many clinicians as necessary to the process of fully evaluating the condition and progress of the patient. A conventional monitoring approach that employs a programming unit typically requires the patient to travel from home to a physician's office or a health care clinic. It can be appreciated that patients requiring such monitoring are typically incapacitated to some degree, and traveling to a distant health facility often represents a sizeable undertaking.
A patient who is provided with an implantable medical device designed to communicate with a programming unit or other communication system interface (e.g., modem) is often limited in terms of freedom of movement, particularly during periods of evaluation and diagnosis. The inherent inconvenience associated with conventional implantable medical device monitoring techniques may dissuade patients from participating in needed medical evaluations.
There is a need for improved ways of obtaining telemetry data from an implantable medical device that are lower in cost, simple to use, and provide for increased freedom of patient movement as compared to conventional telemetry approaches. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for communicating acoustic telemetry data produced by an implantable medical device over a communication channel. A signal generator is provided in the implantable medical device and generates a carrier signal. A modulator, also provided in the implantable medical device, impresses an information signal representative of information acquired or produced by the implantable medical device on the carrier signal so as to produce a modulated information signal. The modulated information signal may have a frequency content that is readily accommodated by a public exchange communication channel. A transmitter, provided at the implantable medical device, transmits the modulated information signal as an acoustic information signal preferably in a form communicable over the communication channel.
The acoustic information signal may constitute telephonic tones which are directly communicable over a conventional telephone connection. The telephonic tones typically include a first tone representative of a first information signal state and a second tone representative of a second information signal state. The acoustic information signal may, for example, constitute digital telephonic tones each having a frequency and format that conforms to one or more telephony standards. In an embodiment in which the communication channel constitutes a public exchange communication channel, the acoustic information signal preferably has a frequency content that is band limited by an audio bandwidth of the public exchange communication channel.
The modulator may impress the information signal on the carrier signal using a number of different modulation techniques, including phase modulation, amplitude modulation or frequency modulation. For example, the modulator may modulate the carrier signal with the information signal using phase key shifting modulation, amplitude key shifting modulation or frequency key shifting modulation techniques. The transmitter includes an electrical-to-acoustic transducer, such as a piezoelectric crystal, a speaker or a microphone. The acoustic information signal is communicable over a variety of communication mediums, including an analog communication channel, a digital communication channel, and optical communication channel, a microwave communication channel or a satellite communication channel, for example.
An implantable medical device may further be provided with an acoustic receiving device for purposes of downlinking acoustic telemetry commands and information from a communication channel to the implantable medical device. In such an embodiment, an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver may be provided in the implantable medical device or, alternatively, a single acoustic transceiver may be employed. A demodulator is provided in the implantable medical device for demodulating a modulated signal received from the communication channel.
An implantable medical device that incorporates an acoustic telemetry production and transmission system of the present invention may further be provided with conventional electromagnetic (e.g., radio frequency) telemetry components for purposes of providing enhanced functionality and data exchange capabilities. Bi-directional communication of implantable medical device (IMD) telemetry data through use of electromagnetic signals may be accomplished using various known techniques. The additional telemetry circuitry may be employed to facilitate communication of electromagnetic information signals of varying types between the implantable medical device and a public exchange communication system.
Embodiments of the systems and methods of the present invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of implantable medical devices. Examples of such implantable medical devices include a pacemaker, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator (PCD), an oxygen sensing device, an implantable hemodynamic monitor, a muscle stimulator device or a nerve stimulator device, for example.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Advantages and attainments, together with a more complete understanding of the invention, will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Combs William J.
Shelton Michael B.
Soykan Orhan
Atlass Michael B.
Getzow Scott M.
Medtronic Inc.
Patton Harold R.
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