Systems and methods for wireless processing and medical device monitoring activation

Abstract

One method according to the present invention includes activating a first device in response to an event, receiving data wirelessly from a medical device by the first device, transmitting the data to a second device by the first device, and transmitting the data from the second device to a medical data server. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.

1 . A method comprising: 
 activating a first device in response to an event;    receiving data wirelessly from a medical device by the first device;    transmitting the data to a second device by the first device; and    transmitting the data from the second device to a medical data server.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data is transmitted wirelessly to the second device by the first device using a protocol selected from the group consisting of a Zigbee protocol, a Wibree protocol, an IEEE 802.11 protocol, an IEEE 802.15 protocol, an IEEE 802.16 protocol, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) protocol, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data includes an environmental parameter, wherein the environmental parameter includes at least one of a battery charge level, a temperature, a barometric pressure, a code relating to an accessory for the medical device, a data validity measurement, an elapsed time since a previous reading by the medical device, a test result parameter, a signal-to-noise parameter, and a quality of service (QoS) parameter.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event includes receiving a signal from the medical device by the first device.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event includes: 
 sensing an audible signal from a microphone; and    analyzing the signal to determine that a predetermined command has been uttered.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first device is at least partially enclosed within a closable container, and the event includes receiving a signal from a sensor detecting that the container has been actuated from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein detecting that the container has been actuated from a closed position to an open position includes: 
 sensing the amount of light entering the container; and    comparing the sensed amount of light to a predetermined threshold.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein detecting that the container has been actuated from a closed position to an open position includes: 
 sensing a change in the amount of light entering the container; and    comparing the change in the amount of light entering the container to a predetermined threshold.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event includes detecting that the first device is being moved.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein detecting that the first device is being moved further comprises sensing a change in an output signal from an accelerometer.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein detecting that the first device is being moved further comprises sensing a change in an output signal from a tilt switch.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is at least partially implanted in a patient.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device transmits the data in a frequency range selected from the group consisting of the medical implant communications service (MICS) frequency band, the frequency range of 402 MHz to 405 MHz, the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) frequency band, the frequency range of 608 MHz to 614 MHz, the frequency range of 1395 MHz to 1400 MHz, the frequency range of 1427 MHz to 1432 MHz, the frequency range 32 KHz to 175 KHz, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further including receiving data from a plurality of different medical devices by the first device.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the data by the first device includes receiving the data on a plurality of different frequencies by the first device.  
     
     
         16 . A method comprising: 
 activating a first device in response to an event;    receiving data wirelessly from a medical device by the first device;    transmitting the data to a second device by the first device;    encrypting at least one of: 
 the received data;  
 a portion of the received data; and  
 a digest of the received data; and  
   transmitting the data from the second device to a medical data server.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the data is transmitted wirelessly to the second device by the first device, wherein the data is transmitted wirelessly to the second device by the first device using a protocol selected from the group consisting of a Zigbee protocol, a Wibree protocol, an IEEE 802.11 protocol, an IEEE 802.15 protocol, an IEEE 802.16 protocol, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) protocol, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the medical device transmits the data in a frequency range selected from the group consisting of the medical implant communications service (MICS) frequency band, the frequency range of 402 MHz to 405 MHz, the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) frequency band, the frequency range of 608 MHz to 614 MHz, the frequency range of 1395 MHz to 1400 MHz, the frequency range of 1427 MHz to 1432 MHz, the frequency range 32 KHz to 175 KHz, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein transmitting the data to a second device by the first device further comprises transmitting the encrypted received data through an encrypted wireless protocol  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the encryption is performed by the first device, and the method further comprises decrypting by the second device the data received by the second device from the first device  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the encrypting utilizes a key selected from the group consisting of: 
 a private encryption key associated with the patient;    a private encryption key of a health care provider associated with the patient;    a public encryption key associated with the medical data server; and    combinations thereof.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the event includes: 
 sensing an audible signal from a microphone; and    analyzing the signal to determine that a predetermined command has been uttered.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first device is at least partially enclosed within a closable container, and the event includes receiving a signal from a sensor detecting that the container has been actuated from a closed position to an open position.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein detecting that the container has been actuated from a closed position to an open position includes: 
 sensing the amount of light entering the container; and    comparing the sensed amount of light to a predetermined threshold.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the event includes detecting that the first device is being moved.