초록

An external interface device provides telemetry between an implantable apparatus and a remote device. The interface device includes a battery powered circuit and a wireless transceiver. A power supply of the remote device is isolated from the implantable apparatus by a wireless communication link.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An external interface device comprising: a first circuit to wirelessly communicate data with a wireless circuit of an external device; a controller coupled to the first circuit and configured to exchange data with the external device using the first circuit; a battery coupled

What is claimed is: 1. An external interface device comprising: a first circuit to wirelessly communicate data with a wireless circuit of an external device; a controller coupled to the first circuit and configured to exchange data with the external device using the first circuit; a battery coupled to the controller; a second circuit coupled to the controller and adapted to couple with an implantable apparatus by a wired connection which is completely wired from the second circuit to the implantable apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to exchange electrical signals with the implantable apparatus using the second circuit; and wherein the first circuit, controller, battery, and second circuit are configured for use in a sterile field, and wherein the battery is electrically isolated from the external device. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first circuit includes an optical device. 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the optical device includes an infrared light emitting diode. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first circuit includes a far field radio frequency transceiver. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first circuit includes a magnetic interface. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the second circuit includes a wireless transceiver. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the battery includes a rechargeable battery. 8. The device of claim 1 further including a housing having at least one of the first circuit, the controller and the second circuit contained therein and the housing having a first feature configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the external device. 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the first circuit is configured to wirelessly communicate data beyond the sterile field. 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is electrically isolated from a metered line service. 11. A system comprising: a first external device having an interface circuit configured to couple with an implantable apparatus by a wired connection which is completely wired from the interface circuit to the implantable apparatus, the first external device having a first controller coupled to the interface circuit, the first controller coupled to a battery and configured to exchange information with the implantable apparatus using a first transceiver coupled to the first controller; a second external device having a second transceiver adapted for wireless communication with the first transceiver, wherein the second external device includes a second controller coupled to the second transceiver and further including a data interface coupled to the second controller wherein the data interface is configured to at least one of receive data for communicating to the implantable apparatus and receive data from the second controller as a function of the information communicated from the implantable apparatus; and wherein the first external device is configured for use in a sterile field and wherein the battery is electrically isolated from a metered line service. 12. The system of claim 11 further including a power circuit coupled to the second controller wherein the power circuit includes a connector for coupling with the metered line service. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the power circuit includes an isolation component. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the isolation component includes an isolation transformer. 15. The system of claim 12 wherein the power circuit includes a charging circuit to provide a current to the battery. 16. The system of claim 11 wherein the implantable apparatus includes at least one of a therapy circuit, a monitor circuit, an electrode and a lead. 17. The system of claim 11 wherein the first transceiver includes at least one of a far field radio frequency transceiver, a magnetic interface and an optical device. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the optical device includes an infrared light emitting diode. 19. The system of claim 11 further including: a first housing having at least one of the interface circuit, the first transceiver and the first controller contained therein, wherein the first housing includes a first feature; and a second housing having at least one of the second transceiver, the data interface and the second controller contained therein; wherein the second housing includes a second feature; and wherein the first feature is configured to mate with the second feature. 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the first housing includes electrical contacts for coupling to the battery. 21. The system of claim 11 wherein the data interface includes at least one of a display screen, a touch-sensitive display, a keyboard, a removable storage device, a third wireless transceiver and a network interface circuit. 22. A method comprising: establishing a wired connection between a first electrical circuit of an implantable apparatus and a first external device wherein the wired connection is completely wired from the first electrical circuit to the first external device, the first external device including a non-implantable housing and configured for use in a sterile field; powering a controller of the first external device with a battery; and wirelessly communicating data between the first external device and a second external device, the second external device having a power supply electrically isolated from the battery. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein wirelessly communicating includes communicating using a far field radio frequency signal. 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the second external device includes a programmer housing and further including mating a first feature of the non-implantable housing with a second feature of the programmer housing.