Remote Monitor Connects Doctors with Heart Patients

A special monitor and software enable patients to collect information by holding a small antenna over an implanted device, download that data, and then send it through a home telephone connection to a secure Internet network that can be accessed by the patient's doctor. The monitor has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for remote patient management.

The service is initially designed to serve patients who have implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) but is also able to support a wide range of other implanted cardiac devices, including pacemakers and heart-failure devices. Called CareLink, the monitor, the software, and the Carelink Network were developed by Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA) to be used with the company's ICDs and other cardiac devices. The CareLink Network connects patients and doctors for virtual office visits. Patients and family members who have access can view information about the devices and conditions on a personalized website. The private information is on a secure system that employs multiple levels of security and encryption technology, says Medtronic.

"This will open up an entirely new way for physicians to treat patients with chronic disease and it's a great option for patients who want and need to stay connected with their doctors,” said Steve Mahle, president of Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm Management. "This is a true marriage of medicine and technology.”




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