Claims
- 1. a medical system, comprising:
a) an ambulatory medical device (MD) comprising MD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one MD telemetry system and at least one MD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the MD telemetry system and operation of the medical device, wherein the medical device is configured to provide a treatment to a body of a patient or to monitor a selected state of the body; and b) a communication device (CD) comprising CD electronic control circuitry that further comprises at least one CD telemetry system and at least one CD processor that controls, at least in part, operation of the CD telemetry system and operation of the communication device, wherein the CD telemetry system sends messages to or receives messages from the MD telemetry system, wherein at least one of the medical device and the communication device comprises a plurality of electronic modules, wherein at least one of the modules is at least a portion of the time switched from an active state to a power saving state when not in use and switched again to an active state when needed.
- 2. The system of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the MD telemetry system is incorporated into the MD processor and a second portion of the MD telemetry system is external to the MD processor, or wherein a first portion of the CD telemetry system is incorporated into the CD processor and a second portion of the CD telemetry system is external to the CD processor.
- 3. The system of claim 2 wherein (1) the MD electronic control circuitry comprises at least one external MD functional module, other than the second portion of the MD telemetry system, that is external to the MD processor, (2) the CD electronic control circuitry comprises at least one external CD functional module, other than the second portion of the CD telemetry system, that is external to the CD processor, (3) the MD processor comprises an internal MD CPU and at least one other internal MD functional module, or (4) the CD processor comprises an internal CD CPU and at least one other internal CD functional module.
- 4. The system of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the MD telemetry system is incorporated into the MD processor and a second portion of the MD telemetry system is external to the MD processor, or wherein a first portion of the CD telemetry system is incorporated into the CD processor and a second portion of the CD telemetry system is external to the CD processor.
- 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the MD electronic control circuitry comprises at least one external MD functional module, other than the second portion of the MD telemetry system, that is external to the MD processor, and wherein the CD electronic control circuitry comprises at least one external CD functional module, other than the second portion of the MD telemetry system, that is external to the CD processor.
- 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the MD processor comprises an MD central processing unit and at least one other MD functional module, and wherein the CD processor comprises a CD central processing unit-and at least one other CD functional module.
- 7. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one module is switched from an active state to an inactive state by operation of software.
- 8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one module is switched from a power saving state to an active state by operation of software.
- 9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one module is switched from an active state to an inactive state by operation of hardware.
- 10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one module is switched from a power saving state to an active state by operation of hardware.
- 11. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic modules is switched from an active state to a power saving state by withdrawing power from the module.
- 12. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of electronic modules is switched from an active state to a power saving state by withdrawing a clock signal from the module.
- 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electronic modules comprise one or more of (1) a CPU, (2) ROM, (3) a RAM module, (4) a synchronous serial interface, (5) an audio alarm driver, (6) a pump driver, (7) a SEEPROM, (8) an analog-to-digital converter, (9) a telemetry system, (8) a bit map LCD, (9) a sensor driving circuit, (10) a voltage divider circuit, (11) a vibration alarm driver, or (12) a timer module.
- 14. The system of claim 13 wherein at least four of the electronic modules are included in the system and at least four of the modules are switched.
- 15. The system of claim 14 wherein at least eight of the electronic modules are included in the system and at least eight of the modules are switched.
- 16. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules are located within a single application specific integrated circuit.
- 17. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one MD processor comprises comprises a CPU module and a plurality of other electronic modules.
- 18. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one CD processor comprises a CPU module and a plurality of other electronic modules.
- 19. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one MD processor comprises a single application specific integrated circuit.
- 20. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one CD processor comprises a single application specific integrated circuit.
- 21. The system of claim 1 wherein the medical device comprises at least one of (1) an implantable infusion pump for selectively dispensing a selected drug, (2) an implantable infusion pump for selectively dispensing insulin, (3) an implantable sensor for sensing a selected state of the body, (4) an implantable sensor for sensing glucose level, or (5) an implantable electrode for selectively stimulating a portion of the body of the patient.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/177,414; filed Jan. 21, 2000, by Ronald J. Lebel, et al., and entitled “Medical Apparatus and Method Including an Implantable Device and an External Communication Device” The entirety of this provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by this reference, including appendices filed therewith and any references incorporated therein by reference, as if set forth in full herein.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60177414 |
Jan 2000 |
US |