Patent · US Expired

Pacemaker system with enhanced programmable modification capacity

US5843138A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 9, 1997
Grant dateDec 1, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 9, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/37254
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A pacemaker system is provided which provides for more flexibility in re-programming of the control software, or program which is controlling an implanted pacemaker. The system comprises an external programmer device which is capable both of programming the implanted device in a conventional way, and also downloading new control software to the implanted device, subject to predetermined system conditions. All implanted devices, e.g., pacemakers within the system of the invention, share a hardware platform, and are identified as belonging to a given one of a plurality of groups, each group being characterized as providing therapy aimed at a different condition. Each pacemaker also carries type data, indicating the type of pacemaker within the group, and a set of permissions data representative of different types within the group to which it is permitted to be programmed. Upon interrogating the implanted device, the programmer determines whether the device is part of the system, what its group and type is, and whether it is able to modify the device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.