Bluetooth made its debut several years ago in devices such as laptops and desktops for the un-tethering of keyboards and the mouse. When low power Bluetooth came on the scene…things really changed. The change occurred with the smart phone incorporating this…and as they say…the rest is history. Just like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) is gradually changing the game in medical devices.
Most recently I had the opportunity to work with friend to help him set up his remote connection from his pacemaker to a cloud-based monitoring network. What amazed me was the pacemaker incorporated low power Bluetooth. I think that this is a first for the industry and for a implantable device. It is the Azure™ pacemaker with BlueSync™ technology from Medtronic.
Medtronic’s first generation of MyCareLink™, drove innovation in remote monitoring by enabling the Azure™ pacemaker with BlueSych™ technology to communicate with a patient owned mobile platform. Added features include an encryption module that encrypts data using NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), as well as a high density Integrated Circuit which increases longevity of the pacemaker.
The MyCareLink™ mobile application with can be downloaded on your smart phone allows patient’s to see all kinds of data from their implanted device. The value to the patient is tremendous. Integrating remote monitoring to your smart phone allows for real time engagement with the patient and eliminates the need for a bedside monitor. See attached the brochure from Medtronic’s web site.
