Philip Thomas Weiss

US Patent:

6562001, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768044

Inventors:

Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA
Varaz Shahmirian - Northridge CA
Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA
Daniel H. Villegas - Granada Hills CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61M 3100

US Classification:

604 65, 604 66, 604 67, 6048911

Abstract:

An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.

US Patent:

6564105, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768207

Inventors:

Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA
Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA
Daniel H. Villegas - Granada Hills CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA
John T. Armstrong - Pasadena CA
John D. Richert - La Habra Heights CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61N 108

US Classification:

607 60

Abstract:

An implanted medical device (e. g. infusion pump) and handheld communication device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein transmitted messages have enhanced numbers of and/or regularity of bit transitions to minimize the risk of synchronization loss between transmitted bits of data and received bits of data. Bit transitions for portions of messages may be enhanced by applying a pseudo-randomization scheme to those portions of messages that are transmitted in a way that allows the receiver to extract the original data from the received randomized data. Preferred randomization techniques modify (i. e. randomize) the data using a CRC value that is being accumulated while simultaneously causing the modified data to modify subsequent accumulation of the CRC itself. Upon reception, the reversal of data randomization occurs so that the intended message is appropriately received.

US Patent:

6577899, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768221

Inventors:

Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA
Varaz Shahmirian - Northridge CA
Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA
Daniel H. Villegas - Granada Hills CA
David Y. Choy - San Gabriel CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61N 108

US Classification:

607 60, 604 67, 128903

Abstract:

An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.

US Patent:

6585644, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768203

Inventors:

Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA
Varaz Shahmirian - Northridge CA
Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA
Daniel H. Villegas - Granada Hills CA
Robert C. Dennard - Lancaster CA
John T. Armstrong - Pasadena CA
John D. Richert - La Habra Heights CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600300, 600345, 600347, 600365

Abstract:

An implanted medical device (e. g. infusion pump) and an external device communicate with one another via telemetry messages that are receivable only during windows or listening periods. Each listening period is open for a prescribed period of time and is spaced from successive listening periods by an interval. The prescribed period of time is typically kept small to minimize power consumption. To increase likelihood of successful communication, the window may be forced to an open state, by use of an attention signal, in anticipation of an incoming message. To further minimize power consumption, it is desirable to minimize use of extended attention signals, which is accomplished by the transmitter maintaining an estimate of listening period start times and attempting to send messages only during listening periods. In the communication device, the estimate is updated as a result of information obtained with the reception of each message from the medical device.

US Patent:

6635014, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768045

Inventors:

Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA 93063
Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA 91403
Varaz Shahmirian - Northridge CA 91326
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA 91104

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600300, 6048901, 6048911, 604 65

Abstract:

An implanted medical device (e. g. infusion pump) and handheld communication device wherein the implantable device is capable of operating under control of different software programs, wherein a first program operates after resetting the implantable device and is not capable of providing significant medical functionality but is capable of selected telemetry operations including telemetry operations that allow replacement software to be downloaded, and wherein a second program may be caused to take control of the device and is capable of significant medical functionality and selected telemetry operations but is incapable of receiving replacement software. A software image may be received in multiple messages where each message is provided with its own validation code and wherein a validation code for the whole image is provided and wherein each provided validation code must compared to a derived validation code prior to accepting the validity of the replacement software.

US Patent:

6659948, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768036

Inventors:

Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA
Varaz Shahmirian - Northridge CA
Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA
Daniel H. Villegas - Granada Hills CA
Robert C. Dennard - Lancaster CA
John T. Armstrong - Pasadena CA
John D. Richert - La Habra Heights CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600300

Abstract:

An implanted medical device (e. g. infusion pump) and an external device communicate with one another via telemetry messages that are receivable only during windows or listening periods. Each listening period is open for a prescribed period of time and is spaced from successive listening periods by an interval. The prescribed period of time is typically kept small to minimize power consumption. To increase likelihood of successful communication, the window may be forced to an open state, by use of an attention signal, in anticipation of an incoming message. To further minimize power consumption, it is desirable to minimize use of extended attention signals, which is accomplished by the transmitter maintaining an estimate of listening period start times and attempting to send messages only during listening periods. In the communication device, the estimate is updated as a result of information obtained with the reception of each message from the medical device.

US Patent:

6668196, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768210

Inventors:

Daniel H. Villegas - Granda Hills CA
David Y. Choy - San Gabriel CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA
Paul M. Meadows - Glendale CA

Assignee:

Medical Research Group, Inc. - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 138

US Classification:

607 60

Abstract:

A communication device (CD) exchanges messages with an implantable infusion pump via telemetry such that commands are supplied thereto and operational information is obtained therefrom. The CD is controlled, at least in part, by a processor IC according to a software program operating therein and provides feedback to a user via a visual display, an audio alarm, and a vibrational alarm, and allows input from the user via a touch sensitive keypad. Certain input functions are restricted by password. The visual display includes an icon and fixed element display region and a bitmap display region. The fixed element display region includes time and date displays, battery and drug level displays that decrement, and a moving delivery state display. Various screens allow operational or log information to be displayed and/or user entry of commands. Program features when disabled are removed from a series of screen options that can be scrolled through.

US Patent:

6687546, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Jan 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768202

Inventors:

Ronald J. Lebel - Sherman Oaks CA
Varaz Shahmirian - Northridge CA
Timothy J. Starkweather - Simi Valley CA
Philip T. Weiss - Pasadena CA
Robert C. Dennard - Lancaster CA
John T. Armstrong - Pasadena CA
John D. Richert - La Habra Heights CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

607 60, 128903, 600300, 6048911

Abstract:

An implanted medical device (e. g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.