ZIP Wandless Telemetry and the ZOOM ... - Boston Scientific

ZIP Wandless Telemetry and the
ZOOM ® LATITUDE ® Programmer
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Following initial interrogation using
a traditional programmer wand,
Boston Scientific’s devices with
radio frequency (RF) telemetry can
communicate with a ZOOM ®
LATITUDE ® programmer over a
significantly greater distance
without using a wand. This
wandless/wireless, two-way radio
frequency communication
technology is referred to as
ZIP wandless telemetry.
The quality of any type of RF
communication is dependent on the
surrounding environment. This
article provides suggestions to
maintain a strong wandless
connection between the ZOOM
LATITUDE programmer and
implanted RF-enabled cardiac
devices, both during the implant
procedure and subsequent patient
follow-up examinations.
CRM PRODUCTS REFERENCED*
CONTAK RENEWAL ® 3 RF & 4 RF,
CONFIENT, LIVIAN, COGNIS,
TELIGEN, and
ZOOM LATITUDE programmer
*Products referenced herein may not be approved in all
geographies. For comprehensive information on device
operation, reference the appropriate product labeling.
CRM CONTACT INFORMATION
Technical Services – U.S.
1.800.CARDIAC (227.3422)
Tech.Services@bsci.com
Technical Services – Europe
+32 2 416 7222
eurtechservice@bsci.com
LATITUDE Clinician Support
1.800.CARDIAC (227.3422)
latitude@bsci.com
Patient Services
1.866.484.3268 – U.S. and Canada
001.651.582.4000 – International
The quality of any RF communication, including ZIP wandless telemetry, is dependent on the
environment in which it operates. Consider the information below to optimize ZIP telemetry.
Optimal Programmer Positioning
• Position the programmer within 3 meters (10 feet) of the patient in case the wand is
needed. While successful ZIP telemetry may occur at much greater distances, positioning the
programmer within 3 meters (10 feet) of the patient ensures the telemetry wand is within reach.
• Ensure there are no “line-of-sight” obstructions between the programmer and device
(e.g., equipment, metal furniture, people, or walls) as these obstructions may diminish signal
quality (Figure 1). Note that personnel or objects momentarily moving in and out of the
line-of-sight during ZIP telemetry may temporarily interrupt RF communication.
Programmer
Device in/on
patient
Device in
packaging
Figure 1. Examples of maintaining a clear line-of-sight between the programmer and device.
• Adjust the programmer’s antenna for optimal reception during RF transmission. Position
the programmer screen so that the back (reverse side) of the programmer screen is oriented
toward the implantable device. As needed, adjust the black antenna attached on the right side of
the programmer screen and/or move the screen forward and backward along its hinge.
• Position the programmer more than 1 meter (3 feet) from walls or metal objects and avoid
resting the implantable device on metal furniture. This may reduce signal reflection and/or
blocking that can diminish the quality of RF communication.
• Position the programmer and device away from other electrical equipment to avoid
sources of environmental noise, including: cordless phones, wireless headsets, patient
monitoring systems, electrosurgical equipment, or any piece of electrical equipment operating in
the ultra high frequency (UHF) range. 1 In addition, consider positioning the programmer away
from doorways or hallways where environmental noise outside the room could interfere with the
wandless connection.
NOTE: Boston Scientific has identified several models of equipment 2 that could potentially
diminish the quality of ZIP telemetry and temporarily prevent completion of ongoing interrogation
or programming. Contact CR M Technical Services to identify and troubleshoot potential
sources of environmental noise specific to a hospital/clinic environment.
1 The frequency at which ZIP telemetry operates varies by geography. In the U.S. and Canada, the ZIP telemetry frequency for RENEWAL ® 3 RF,
CONFIENT, & LIVIAN is 914 MHz; and COGNIS & TELIGEN devices communicate at 916.5 MHz. In Europe, all devices communicate at
869.85 MHz.
2 Under certain circumstances, SpectraLink WTS wireless phone systems, Plantronics CS50 wireless headsets, and InVivo/MDE Escort patient bedside
monitors have demonstrated potential to interfere with ZIP telemetry.
September 17, 2008 ©2008 Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 3

Tips to Identify a Less than Optimal Wandless Connection
The information below may help to determine if environmental factors are diminishing the quality of ZIP wandless telemetry.
Length of Time to Complete Interrogation
If attempts to interrogate the device using ZIP telemetry take longer than the times listed below, interference may be present and the
wandless connection may not be optimal.
• COGNIS and TELIGEN: 20 seconds (transmits significantly more data upon initial interrogation than previous device
generations)
• RENEWAL 3/4 RF, CONFIENT, and LIVIAN: 5 seconds
Telemetry Light
Telemetry indicator lights are located in the upper left side of the programmer screen.
• An illuminated green ZIP telemetry light (Figure 2) indicates that ZIP telemetry has
been established.
• If wandless communication is not available, the ZIP telemetry light will not illuminate.
• A flickering light may indicate ZIP telemetry is being interrupted and the
communication link may be less than optimal.
ZIP Telemetry
Light
Wand
Telemetry Light
Power On Light
NOTE: RENEWAL 3/4 RF, CONFIENT, or LIVIAN devices: In Storage mode,
the ZIP telemetry light remains illuminated only if programming commands
are issued; however, loss of a green telemetry light is not always an indicator
of a sub-optimal wandless connection in Storage mode.
Figure 2. Illuminated green lights indicate the
programmer’s power is On and ZIP telemetry has
been established.
Out of Range/Telemetry Noise Message
If environmental interference is strong enough or frequent enough to interrupt the ZIP telemetry connection, the programmer may
display a message illustrated in Figure 3. Note that this message will automatically disappear from the programmer screen if/when the
device is able to re-establish ZIP telemetry, or if the wand is in within range of the device. During ZIP telemetry, continuous
appearance and disappearance of this message may indicate the wandless connection is less than optimal.
COGNIS and TELIGEN
RENEWAL 3/4 RF, CONFIENT, and LIVIAN
Figure 3. Out of Range / Telemetry Noise message.
Telemetry “Drop-outs” on the Electrogram (EGM)
During a programming session, a sub-optimal wandless connection may appear as short intervals of telemetry “drop-outs” on
real-time or printed EGMs (Figure 4). Although significant interference to the telemetry link may cause EGM drop-outs in COGNIS and
TELIGEN devices, a marginal telemetry link may not always present as a loss in EGM quality.
The surface ECG
remains continuous
during periods of
telemetry drop-out.
Examples of EGM telemetry drop-out.
Figure 4. Sample of a break or telemetry drop-out in a printed electrogram.
ZIP Telemetry connection
September 17, 2008 ©2008 Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 3

Additional Information
• If the wandless connection is not optimal, consider a new location for the programmer (move it a few inches to a few feet) and
review the programmer position advice provided in this publication.
• Despite interruptions in either ZIP or wanded telemetry, no parameter change command will be “partially” completed. The entire
command must be received and confirmed by the device before the programming change will take effect.
• If ZIP telemetry cannot be consistently established, use the wand to communicate with the device.
►
Even if the wand is positioned over the device, the programmer may continue to communicate using wandless telemetry
until ZIP telemetry is disabled. Table 1 lists the programmer key strokes to change the telemetry type.
Device Family
COGNIS & TELIGEN
REWEWAL 3/4 RF,
CONFIENT, & LIVIAN
Programmer Key Strokes*
Pre-interrogation † or during programming session
Utilities > Setup > select the Use wand for all telemetry button or the Enable use of ZIP telemetry button > Close
Pre-interrogation †
Utilities > Setup > select the Use wand for all telemetry button or the Enable use of ZIP telemetry button > Close
During programming session ‡
Utilities > Communication Mode > Programmer Zip Telemetry > select On or Off
*Changing the telemetry type pre-interrogation sets the telemetry communication method for that programmer for all subsequent programming
and patient sessions. Changing the telemetry type during a programming session affects the telemetry type for only the programming session in
progress.
† After programmer power-up, but before initial interrogation of a device.
‡ REWEWAL 3/4 RF, CONFIENT, and LIVIAN devices: If ZIP telemetry is disabled during a programming session by using the Setup > PG ZIP
Telemetry button instead of the Utilities button, ZIP telemetry must be re-enabled (turned “On”) through the Setup button to interact with the
LATITUDE remote monitoring Communicator.
September 17, 2008 ©2008 Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Page 3 of 3