System for medical data collection and transmission

1. A system comprising:

a processor;

a medical device interface configured to communicate with a plurality of medical devices via a wireless connection;

a data relay interface; and

a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

automatically detect a wireless signal from one or more of the plurality of medical devices, wherein the signal is received via the medical device interface;

transition the system from a quiescent state to an active state in response to the signal to prepare the system to receive data from the plurality of medical devices;

broadcast an authorization code stored in the memory in response to a request for authorization, the authorization code for authenticating the system by one or more of the plurality of medical devices;

in response to the detected wireless signal, automatically configure the medical device interface to communicate using a frequency used by the one or more of the plurality of medical devices and a communication protocol used by the one or more of the plurality of medical devices;

receive, using the medical device interface, data from the plurality of medical devices;

transmit a message including at least a portion of the received data, using the data relay interface, to a provided medical data server;

receive a command, using the data relay interface, from the medical data server, wherein the command is appropriate to a class of medical devices of the plurality of medical devices, and wherein the command is for updating a software application on the class of medical devices; and

automatically download a software update, based on the command, to one or more of the class of medical devices.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data from the plurality of medical devices corresponds to medical data for a plurality of patients.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the received data includes one or more of:

biological information for a patient;

biometric information for a patient; and

behavioral information for a patient.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the message is encrypted.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the medical device interface is configured to receive the data from the plurality of medical devices through a wireless connection using a protocol selected from the group consisting of a Zigbee protocol, a Wibree protocol, an IEEE 802.11 protocol, an IEEE 802.15 protocol, an IEEE 802.16 protocol, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) protocol, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, and combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data includes an environmental parameter, wherein the environmental parameter includes at least one of a battery charge level, a temperature, a barometric pressure, a code relating to an accessory for a medical device, a data validity measurement, an elapsed time since a previous reading by the medical device, a test result parameter, a signal to-noise parameter, and a quality of service (QoS) parameter.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data relay interface is configured to transmit the message through a wireless network selected from the group consisting of:

a cellular network;

a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network;

a wireless Local Area Network (WLAN);

a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network;

a Personal Communication Service (PCS) network;

an Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) network;

a satellite communication network; and

combinations thereof.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the data relay interface is configured to transmit the message through a wired connection selected from the group consisting of:

a universal serial bus (USB) connection;

a serial connection;

a telephone connection;

a parallel connection;

a Firewire connection;

an Ethernet connection; and

combinations thereof.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores instructions to cause the processor to transmit the message to an intermediary device, wherein the intermediary device is configured to retransmit at least a portion of the message to the medical data server.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the command is provided by the medical data server in response to input from a user.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the command reconfigures a software application running on the system.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory further stores instructions to cause the processor to authenticate the plurality of medical devices before receiving data from the plurality of medical devices.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface in communication with the processor; and wherein the memory further stores instructions to cause the processor to provide information to, and receive information from, a patient through the user interface.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the information provided to the patient includes one or more of:

an indicator as to whether a medical device is currently in communication with the system;

an indicator that the system has received the medical data from the medical device;

a survey regarding a treatment for the patient; and

an indicator regarding the status of an update to a software application operating on a medical device.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the information received from a patient includes one or more of:

information regarding a treatment for the patient;

an indicator that the patient is in need of assistance; and

a communication from the patient for delivery to a caregiver of the patient.