US5311449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizable hand-held programmer/interrogator
Assignee: Sorin CRM SAS
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Filing: 1991-03-25
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Granted: 1994-05-10
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Expires: 2011-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Sterilizable hand-held programmer/interrogator for communication with an implanted defibrillator, including follow-up. An electromechanical key allows the programmer/interrogator to function fully as a data programmer and as a data interrogator. A removable electromechanical key controlled by a surgeon allows a limited number of programmable functions and only a certain amount of data to be revealed when the device is interrogated by the patient. Interrogated data from the programmer/interrogator can be linked directly to the surgeon via a modem.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore P. Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/37211; A61N1/37235; G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/025; A61N1/37247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A sterilizable hand-held programmer/interrogator for communicating with an implanted medical device in a sterile environment comprising: a sealed housing having dimensions such that the housing is small enough to be hand-held, the sealed housing including: processor means for controlling the operation of the programmer/interrogator; transceiver means connected to the processor means for transmitting and receiving data between the programmer/interrogator and the implanted medical device; memory means connected to the processor means for storing control algorithms for the processor means and data communicated with the implanted device; display means connected to the processor means for displaying operating information for the programmer/interrogator and data communicated with the implanted device; and switch pad means connected to the processor means for manually providing control and data information to the programmer/interrogator, such that the programmer/interrogator is sterilizable prior to use within the sterile environment to allow the programmer/interrogator to be used during the implantation of the implantable device in order to directly communicate with and program the implantable device without physically connecting the programmer/interrogator to another device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A sterilizable hand-held programmer/interrogator for communicating with an implanted medical device in a sterile environment comprising: a sealed housing having dimensions such that the housing is small enough to be hand-held, the sealed housing including: processor means for controlling the operation of the programmer/interrogator; transceiver means connected to the processor means for transmitting and receiving data between the programmer/interrogator and the implanted medical device; memory means connected to the processor means for storing control algorithms for the processor means and data communicated with the implanted device; display means connected to the processor means for displaying operating information for the programmer/interrogator and data communicated with the implanted device; and switch pad means connected to the processor means for manually providing control and data information to the programmer/interrogator, such that the programmer/interrogator is sterilizable prior to use within the sterile environment to allow the programmer/interrogator to be used during the implantation of the implantable device in order to directly communicate with and program the implantable device without physically connecting the programmer/interrogator to another device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
The programmer/interrogator of claim 1 further comprising: port means connected to the processor means for providing communication with other processors via a cable connected to the port means either before or after the implantable device is implanted in the patient; and key means insertable into the port means while the programmer/interrogator is being used during the implantation of the implantable device for enabling a full operation mode of the programmer/interrogator, the key means also being sterilized prior to use within the sterile field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The programmer/interrogator of claim 2 wherein removal of the key means from the port means disables the full operation mode of the programmer/interrogator and permits only a limited interrogation mode of operation of the programmer/interrogator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The programmer/interrogator of claim 3 wherein the programming algorithms analyze the data communicated from the implanted device and provide a diagnostic code to be communicated to a physician when the programmer/interrogator is operating in the interrogation mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The programmer/interrogator of claim 1 further comprising: automatic modem means for providing telephonic communication between the programmer/interrogator and a remote processor, including: a body having a means for receiving the programmer/interrogator; means for connecting the automatic modem means to the port means of the programmer/interrogator; means for connecting the automatic modem means to a telephone line; and means for automatically controlling the transfer of data from the memory means of the programmer/interrogator to the remote processor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for communicating with an implanted medical device in a sterile environment, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a programmer/interrogator in a sealed housing having dimensions such that the housing is small enough to be hand-held; (b) sterilizing the programmer/interrogator prior to use within in the sterile environment; (c) using the programmer/interrogator to directly communicate with and program the implantable device within the sterile environment during an implantation of the implanted device without physically connecting the programmer/interrogator to another device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for communicating with an implanted medical device in a sterile environment, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a programmer/interrogator in a sealed housing having dimensions such that the housing is small enough to be hand-held; (b) sterilizing the programmer/interrogator prior to use within in the sterile environment; (c) using the programmer/interrogator to directly communicate with and program the implantable device within the sterile environment during an implantation of the implanted device without physically connecting the programmer/interrogator to another device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the programmer/interrogator includes within the sealed housing: a processor that controls the operation of the programmer/interrogator; a transceiver connected to the processor to transmit and receive data between the programmer/interrogator and the implanted medical device; a memory connected to the processor to store control algorithms for the processor and data communicated with the implanted device; a display connected to the processor for displaying operating information for the programmer/interrogator and data communicated with the implanted device; a communication port connected to the processor that provides for communication with other processors via a cable connected to the port; and a switch pad connected to the processor for manually providing control and data information to the programmer/interrogator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 7 wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (c1) sterilizing a key that enables a full operation mode of the programmer/interrogator; (c2) inserting the key into the communication port prior to using the programmer/interrogator during the implantation of the implantable device; and (c3) using the programmer/interrogator in the full operation mode to directly communicate with and program the implantable device within the sterile environment during the implantation of the implanted device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of: (c4) removing the key from the programmer/interrogator after the implantation of the implanted device; and (c5) providing the programmer/interrogator to the patient such that the programmer/interrogator operates in only a limited interrogation mode operable by the patient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the limited interrogation mode of step (c5) comprises the steps of: (c51) communicating with the implanted device to receive data from the implanted device; (c52) analyzing the data from the implanted device; and (c53) providing diagnostic information to be communicated to a physician.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein step (c53) is accomplished by displaying a diagnostic code on the display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: (c6) using the programmer/interrogator to communicate with the implanted device to receive data from the implanted device; (c7) storing the data in the memory of the programmer/interrogator; (c7) providing a modem separate from the programmer/interrogator for establishing telephonic communication between the programmer/interrogator and a remote processor; and (c8) automatically controlling the transfer of data from the memory of the programmer/interrogator to the remote processor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for allowing two separate users to communicate with an implanted medical device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a programmer/interrogator that directly communicate with and program the implantable device during an implantation of the implanted device without physically connecting the programmer/interrogator to another device; (b) inserting a key into the programmer/interrogator prior to using the programmer/interrogator during the implantation of the implantable device to enable a full operation mode; (c) having a physician use the programmer/interrogator in the full operation mode to directly communicate with and program the implantable device during the implantation of the implanted device; (d) removing the key from the programmer/interrogator after the implantation of the implanted device to allow only a limited interrogation mode; and (e) providing the programmer/interrogator to a patient such that the programmer/interrogator operates in only the limited interrogation mode operable by the patient, such that the same device may be used by the physician to program and interrogate the implantable device during implantation and by the patient to only interrogate the implantable device after implantation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for allowing two separate users to communicate with an implanted medical device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a programmer/interrogator that directly communicate with and program the implantable device during an implantation of the implanted device without physically connecting the programmer/interrogator to another device; (b) inserting a key into the programmer/interrogator prior to using the programmer/interrogator during the implantation of the implantable device to enable a full operation mode; (c) having a physician use the programmer/interrogator in the full operation mode to directly communicate with and program the implantable device during the implantation of the implanted device; (d) removing the key from the programmer/interrogator after the implantation of the implanted device to allow only a limited interrogation mode; and (e) providing the programmer/interrogator to a patient such that the programmer/interrogator operates in only the limited interrogation mode operable by the patient, such that the same device may be used by the physician to program and interrogate the implantable device during implantation and by the patient to only interrogate the implantable device after implantation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the programmer/interrogator includes within the sealed housing: a processor that controls the operation of the programmer/interrogator; a transceiver connected to the processor to transmit and receive data between the programmer/interrogator and the implanted medical device; a memory connected to the processor to store control algorithms for the processor and data communicated with the implanted device; a display connected to the processor for displaying operating information for the programmer/interrogator and data communicated with the implanted device; a communication port connected to the processor that provides for communication with other processors via a cable connected to the port; and a switch pad connected to the processor for manually providing control and data information to the programmer/interrogator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the key is inserted in the communication port to enable the full operation mode of the programmer/interrogator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the limited interrogation mode of step (e) comprises the steps of: (e1) communicating with the implanted device to receive data from the implanted device; (e2) analyzing the data from the implanted device; and (e3) providing diagnostic information to be communicated to a physician.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein step (e3) is accomplished by displaying a diagnostic code on the display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 16 wherein step (e) comprises the steps of: (e1) using the programmer/interrogator to communicate with the implanted device to receive data from the implanted device; (e2) storing the data in the memory of the programmer/interrogator; (e3) providing a modem separate from the programmer/interrogator for establishing telephonic communication between the programmer/interrogator and a remote processor; and (e4) automatically controlling the transfer of data from the memory of the programmer/interrogator to the remote processor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-09 | 1997-11-08 | 1998-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-09 | 2001-11-08 | 2002-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-09 | 2005-11-08 | 2006-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |