Patent ID: 7155290
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: A61B,A61N,G16H,H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for enabling secure communications between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external device (ED) over a telemetry channel, comprising: implementing a telemetry interlock which limits any communications between the ED and the IMD over the telemetry channel, wherein a data communications session over the telemetry channel can be established which allows transmission of data from the IMD to the ED if the telemetry interlock is not released, but programming of the IMD by the ED cannot be performed unless the telemetry interlock is released; releasing the telemetry interlock by transmitting an enable command to the IMD via a shod-range communications channel requiring physical proximity to the IMD; authenticating the IMD to the ED when the ED receives a message from the IMD evidencing use of an encryption key expected to be possessed by the IMD; authenticating the ED to the IMD when the IMD receives a message from the ED evidencing use of an encryption key expected to be possessed by the ED; and, allowing a data communications session between the IMD and ED over the telemetry channel to occur only after the IMD and ED have been authenticated to one other.