Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7240833?dq=6373188
Timestamp: 2014-07-31 20:44:57
Document Index: 563874295

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115', 'art 115']

Patent US7240833 - System and method of managing information for an implantable medical device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA method of collecting information related to manufacture of an implantable medical device, storing the information in a radio frequency identifier (RFID) unit, updating the information stored in the RFID unit during manufacturing of the implantable medical device, and transferring the information from...http://www.google.com/patents/US7240833?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7240833 - System and method of managing information for an implantable medical deviceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7240833 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/850,156Publication dateJul 10, 2007Filing dateMay 20, 2004Priority dateMay 20, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20050258242Publication number10850156, 850156, US 7240833 B2, US 7240833B2, US-B2-7240833, US7240833 B2, US7240833B2InventorsPaul E. ZaremboOriginal AssigneeCardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (25), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (7), Classifications (17), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSystem and method of managing information for an implantable medical deviceUS 7240833 B2Abstract A method of collecting information related to manufacture of an implantable medical device, storing the information in a radio frequency identifier (RFID) unit, updating the information stored in the RFID unit during manufacturing of the implantable medical device, and transferring the information from the RFID unit to other devices.
TECHNICAL FIELD The field generally relates to implantable medical devices and, in particular, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method for managing information related to implantable medical devices using a radio frequency identifier (RFID) unit.
BACKGROUND Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are devices designed to be implanted into a patient. Some examples of these devices include cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices such as implantable pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The devices are used to treat patients using electrical therapy and to aid a physician or caregiver in patient diagnosis through internal monitoring of a patient's condition. Implantable devices may also include electrical leads that are either separate from, or connected to, a CRM. Electrical leads connected to a CRM are in communication with sense amplifiers of the CRM devices to monitor electrical heart activity within a patient. The CRM devices often include sensors to monitor other internal patient parameters. Other examples of implantable medical devices include implantable insulin pumps or devices implanted to administer drugs to a patient. Because the devices are implantable and often complex, manufacturing of IMDs requires management of a large quantity of information. This information often needs to track the device through the duration of its manufacture to the implant procedure and sometimes throughout the life of the device. It is desirable to streamline the management of the information and maintain information integrity.
SUMMARY Systems and methods are provided for managing information related to implantable medical devices. In one system example, the system comprises an implantable medical device and at least one RFID unit external to the implantable medical device, where the RFID unit is to be packaged with the implantable medical device. The RFID unit is operable to contain stored information that includes information related to manufacturing of the implantable medical device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates implantable medical devices (IMDs), including a pulse generator and implantable electrical leads, coupled to a heart.
FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 using IMDs that include a pulse generator (PG) 105 and one or more leads 110A, B, C to couple the PG 105 to the heart 115. Heart 115 includes a right atrium 120A, a left atrium 120B, a right ventricle 122A, a left ventricle 122B, and a coronary sinus 123 extending from right atrium 120A. In one embodiment, atrial lead 110A includes electrodes (electrical contacts, such as ring electrode 125 and tip electrode 130) disposed in, around, or near an atrium 120 of heart 115 for sensing signals and/or delivering pacing therapy to the atrium 120. Ventricular lead 110B includes electrodes (electrical contacts, such as ring electrode 140 and tip electrode 135) disposed in, around, or near a right ventricle 122A of heart 115 for sensing signals and/or delivering pacing therapy to the ventricle 122A. Coronary venous lead 110C includes electrodes disposed in, around, or near a left ventricle 122B. Leads 110A�C optionally also include additional electrodes, such as for delivering atrial and/or ventricular cardioversion/defibrillation and/or pacing or resynchronization therapy to the heart 115. PG 105 includes components that are enclosed in a hermetically-sealed canister or �can� 150. Additional electrodes may be located on the can 150, or on an insulating header 155, or on other portions of PG 105, for providing unipolar pacing and/or defibrillation energy in conjunction with the electrodes disposed on or around heart 115.
The RFID unit 320A contains information related to manufacture of the lead 310. In one embodiment, the information includes a unique identifier for the assembly, such as a serial number, model number, or the like. In other embodiments, the information includes assembly length, diameter, device specifications, material composition, or compatibility of the device with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure. In yet another embodiment, the information includes traceability information such as a date that an event related to manufacturing occurred. For example, the event may be beginning a task, completing a test or taking a measurement. In yet another embodiment, the information includes an identifier for a component or a subassembly and/or a date that the component or subassembly was added to the final assembly. To enter component data into an RFID unit 320A�C, an assembler or other worker at a workstation enters the component information into a computer. The assembler can enter this information by hand or by using an automated method such as a bar code reader or by downloading a file. The computer is in communication with an RF communication device to enter the component information into the RFID unit 320A�C.
In yet another embodiment, the RIFD unit 320A�C includes test or measurement information such as lead impedance information for the final assembly. In an example of the embodiment, the impedance information includes a resistance measurement. In another example, the impedance information includes an inductance measurement. In yet another embodiment, the RFID unit 320A�C includes shelf life information for one or more of the components therein.
The system 300 may include one or a plurality of RFID units 320A�C. In one embodiment, a first RFID 320A is associated with the lead 310. In another embodiment, a first RFID 320A and a second RFID 320B are associated with the lead 310. In the embodiment, the first RFID 320A is designed to transfer data to a communication device over short distances, such as up to one foot. A short programming distance is useful, for example, to transfer data during assembly while working at a workstation in an area with multiple workstations. The short programming distance prevents interference between workstations. The second RFID 320B is designed to transfer data over longer distances, such as up to fifteen feet. A longer programming distance is useful, for example, to interrogate an inventory area to quickly determine if an assembly associated with the RFID 320 is in the area. In yet another embodiment, a third RFID 320C is associated with the lead 310 to transfer data over medium distances, such as up to three feet. A medium programming distance is useful, for example, to interrogate a workstation to determine if an assembly is present at the workstation in an area containing multiple workstations. Since the communication distance of the individual RFIDs 320A�C may be related to a use of the RIFD, each of the plurality of RFID units 320A�C may contain the same information as another RFID or each RFID may contain unique information associated with the IMD.
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4May 20, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC., MINNESOTAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ZAREMBO, PAUL E.;REEL/FRAME:015383/0256Effective date: 20040519RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google