Patent US4550732A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4550732A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and process for enabling a predefined function within an implanted device

Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
•
Filing: 1984-03-23
•
Granted: 1985-11-05
•
Expires: 2004-03-23
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A system and process are provided for commanding a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit. A selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit is stored. A first access signal is transmitted from the command unit to the implant, to enable a computer within the implant to receive a command signal. A command signal is transmitted, from the command unit, to operate the selected routine. The operation of the selected routine is inhibited unless both the first access signal and the command signal have been generated.

Inventors

  • 👤 John R. Batty, Jr.
  • 👤 Chester D. Slocum

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 19:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/37211; A61N1/37252; A61N1/3727

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
A system for enabling a predefined function within a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising: an external command unit for generating external signals including a first access signal and a command signal; an implanted device having means for receiving external signals, means for receiving external command signals, means for storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit, means for decoding the first access signal to prevent access to the routine storing means unless the first access signal is received, and means for detecting the command signal to prevent access to the routine storing unless both the first access signal and the command signal are received, whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 143 words
A system for enabling a predefined function within a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising: an external command unit for generating external signals including a first access signal and a command signal; an implanted device having means for receiving external signals, means for receiving external command signals, means for storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit, means for decoding the first access signal to prevent access to the routine storing means unless the first access signal is received, and means for detecting the command signal to prevent access to the routine storing unless both the first access signal and the command signal are received, whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
In a system as described in claim 1, wherein the implanted device is a cardiac pacer including a pacing output pulse generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
In a system as described in claim 1, wherein the means for receiving external signals comprises an induction coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
In a system as described in claim 1, including a microprocessor for operating said selected routine and wherein the means for receiving external command signals comprises the input of said microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
In a system as described in claim 1, including an external command unit comprising a pulse generator for generating said first access signals and said command signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 44 words
In a system as described in claim 5, said first access signal comprising pulses of a pulse width modulated binary code and said command signal comprising a pulse having a width that is greater than any of the pulses of said first access signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
In a system as described in claim 6, said pulses each comprising an envelope containing a plurality of pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 37 words
In a system as described in claim 5, said first access signal comprising pulses of a pulse width modulated binary code; said command signal being operative to enable the selected routine stored by the routine storing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
In a system as described in claim 1, including means for enabling the selected routine until the occurrence of a predetermined event.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 40 words
In a system as described in claim 9, said predetermined event comprising the lack of pulse activity received by said external signals receiving means for a predetermined amount of time, and including means for detecting said lack of pulse activity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 26 words
In a system as described in claim 8, including means for enabling said external command unit to continue to generate pulses for enabling the selected routine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
In a system as described in claim 11, including means for enabling said external command unit to repeat the first access signal and the command signal cyclically for enabling the selected routine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 27 words
In a system as described in claim 12, including means for enabling said external command unit to discontinue the generation of pulses to terminate the selected routine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 30 words
In a system as described in claim 12, said command signal comprising a pulse having a width that is greater than any of the pulses of said first access signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
A system as described in claim 1, wherein both said first access signal and said command signal comprise electromagnetic waveforms.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 240 words
A system for enabling a predefined function within a cardiac pacer implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising: an external command unit for generating external signals including a first access signal and a command signal; an implanted device having an induction coil for receiving external signals, a microprocessor for operating said selected routine and having a microprocessor input for receiving external command signals, means for storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit, means for decoding the first access signal to prevent access to the routine storing means unless the first access signal is received, and means for detecting the command signal to prevent access to the routine storing means unless both a first access signal and the command signal are received whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received; said external command unit comprising a pulse generator for generating said first access signal and said command signal; said first access signal comprising pulses of a pulse width modulated binary code; said command signal being operative to enable the selected routine stored by the routine storing means, the selected routine being enabled until the occurrence of a predetermined event, the predetermined event comprising the lack of pulse activity received by said external command signal receiving means for a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 240 words
A system for enabling a predefined function within a cardiac pacer implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising: an external command unit for generating external signals including a first access signal and a command signal; an implanted device having an induction coil for receiving external signals, a microprocessor for operating said selected routine and having a microprocessor input for receiving external command signals, means for storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit, means for decoding the first access signal to prevent access to the routine storing means unless the first access signal is received, and means for detecting the command signal to prevent access to the routine storing means unless both a first access signal and the command signal are received whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received; said external command unit comprising a pulse generator for generating said first access signal and said command signal; said first access signal comprising pulses of a pulse width modulated binary code; said command signal being operative to enable the selected routine stored by the routine storing means, the selected routine being enabled until the occurrence of a predetermined event, the predetermined event comprising the lack of pulse activity received by said external command signal receiving means for a predetermined amount of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 32 words
In a system as described in claim 16, including means for enabling said external command unit to repeat the first access signal and the command signal cyclically for enabling the selected routine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 27 words
In a system as described in claim 17, including means for enabling said external command unit to discontinue the generation of pulses to terminate the selected routine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 139 words
A process for enabling a predefined function within a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising the steps of: storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit to the implant, a first access signal for enabling a computer within the implant to receive a command signal when the first access signal is detected; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit, a command signal that is different than the first access signal to operate said selected routine; and inhibiting the operation of said selected routine unless both the first access signal and the command signal have been generated, whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 139 words
A process for enabling a predefined function within a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising the steps of: storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit to the implant, a first access signal for enabling a computer within the implant to receive a command signal when the first access signal is detected; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit, a command signal that is different than the first access signal to operate said selected routine; and inhibiting the operation of said selected routine unless both the first access signal and the command signal have been generated, whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 43 words
A process as described in claim 19, in which said first access signal comprises a pulse width modulated binary code and said command signal comprises a pulse having a width that is greater than any of the pulses of said first access signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process as described in claim 19, including the step of operating the selected routine until a lack of signal activity is detected.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 50 words
A process as described in claim 19, including the step of operating the selected routine by continuing the generation of pulses, the step of discontinuing the selected routine by discontinuing the generation of pulses over a predetermined period of time, and the step of detecting whether pulses are being generated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 26 words
A process as described in claim 19, including the step of transmitting the first access signal and the command signal cyclically for operating the selected routine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 216 words
A process for enabling a predefined function within a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising the steps of: storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit to the implant, a first access signal for enabling a computer within the implant to receive a command signal when the first access signal is detected; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit, a command signal that is different than the first access signal to operate said selected routine; said first access signal comprises pulses of a pulse width modulated binary code and said command signal comprising a pulse having a width that is greater than any of the pulses of said first access signal; operating the selected routine by continuing the generation of pulses; discontinuing the selected routine by discontinuing the generation of pulses over a predetermined period of time; transmitting the first access signal and the command signal cyclically for operating the selected routine; and inhibiting the operation of said selected routine unless both the first access signal and the command signal have been generated, whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 216 words
A process for enabling a predefined function within a device implanted in a patient from an external command unit, comprising the steps of: storing a temporarily operated selected routine to be generated in response to a command signal from the external command unit; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit to the implant, a first access signal for enabling a computer within the implant to receive a command signal when the first access signal is detected; thereafter transmitting, from the command unit, a command signal that is different than the first access signal to operate said selected routine; said first access signal comprises pulses of a pulse width modulated binary code and said command signal comprising a pulse having a width that is greater than any of the pulses of said first access signal; operating the selected routine by continuing the generation of pulses; discontinuing the selected routine by discontinuing the generation of pulses over a predetermined period of time; transmitting the first access signal and the command signal cyclically for operating the selected routine; and inhibiting the operation of said selected routine unless both the first access signal and the command signal have been generated, whereby the temporarily operated selected routine is generated only if both the first access signal and the command signal are received.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4164944A Cited
US4124031A Cited
DE2826189A1 Cited
US4203447A Cited
US4313441A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-11-04 1989-05-06 1989-11-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-11-04 1993-05-06 1993-11-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-11-04 1997-05-06 1997-11-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag