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Abstract

An implantable cardiac pacemaker is adapted to be selectively non-invasively upgraded from time to time after implantation to provide a plurality of different diagnostic, functional, and pacing operational modes in the form of respective combinations of single and dual chamber sensing and pacing and rate-adaptive pacing of a patient's heart to correct any of various cardiac arrhythmias attributable to cardiac pacing or cardiovascular disorders, and of extended memory and physiological monitoring functions. The pacemaker is implemented to make available the plurality of different pacing operational and other functional modes, and is programmable to selectively enable current operation of at least one of the available pacing operational modes according to current needs of the patient while inhibiting current operation of all other available pacing operational modes and any other non-selected functional modes. Subsequently, the implanted pacemaker may be programmed non-invasively to selectively restore operation of at least one of the inhibited pacing operational modes or other functional modes when the patient evidences a need therefor, but the selective restoration programming is locked out unless performed with a prescribed security access key. Additional charges are imposed on the patient or third party payor for the extended upgrade functions, but considerably less than the cost of a replacement device and a surgical implant procedure, while converting the implanted device from an initially inexpensive and basic form to a more sophisticated form tailored to appropriate treatment and monitoring of the patient's condition.

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First Claim