Patent ID: 8190452

Claim:
A remotely-accessible medical device system, comprising: an electronically controllable medical device connectable to a patient; at least one system component operationally associated with the medical device, the at least one system component configured to store in memory patient data and a programmable protocol for operation of the medical device, the at least one system component comprising a first communication port configured to permit communication with a local telephone, wherein the system is configured such that manipulation of the programmable protocol and review of patient data is permitted in response to touchtone signals generated by a touchtone keypad of the local telephone, the at least one system component further comprising a second communication port configured to permit communication with a public telephone network, wherein the patient, the medical device and the at least one system component are located at a first location; wherein the at least one system component is further configured such that while the at least one system component is in communication with the public telephone network, the public telephone network and a particular telephone connected to the network at a second location remote from the first location become part of the system and may communicate with the at least one system component through the second communication port, wherein only the particular telephone and a portion of the public telephone network are located remotely from the first location; wherein the system is configured such that when the at least one system component is in communication with the public telephone network, manipulation of the programmable protocol and review of patient data is permitted in response to touchtone signals generated by a touchtone keypad of the particular telephone; and wherein data retrieval is accomplished by a processor configured to send a signal in response to the touchtone signals transmitted over the public telephone network, the sent signal being in the form of a voice signal.