MERLIN.NET™ PATIENT CARE NETWORK

HOW REMOTE MONITORING WORKS

The Merlin@home™ transmitter is the part of the system that you can keep in your home or bring with you while traveling. It connects wirelessly to certain implanted cardiac devices, such as CRT-Ps and CRT-Ds, to read the data stored on the device. It then transmits the data to your doctor to read.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you have the Merlin@home transmitter and require technical support, contact us:

• Within the United States: call Technical Support at +1-877-MY-MERLIN (+1-877-696-3754) or e-mail us
• Outside of the United States: contact your Abbott representative, call Remote Care Technical Support at +46 8 474 4756 or e-mail us

SETTING UP YOUR MERLIN@HOME™ TRANSMITTER FOR REMOTE HEART MONITORING

Setting up a transmitter as part of your remote heart monitoring system for your implantable cardiac device is a very simple process. And it is well worth the small amount of time it takes, since remote monitoring: 

• Provides you with time to get out and enjoy all that you would like to do, since it means that you may have fewer in-person clinic visits for a device check.¹ 
• Provides you with better outcomes and fewer problems often associated with having a cardiac rhythm disorder.²

Learn more about remote monitoring.

YOUR MERLIN@HOME™ TRANSMITTER

Your Merlin@home™ transmitter comes with the equipment you need and a quick-start guide that will lead you through the setup process. Also be sure to follow any setup instructions your doctor gives you.

WHEN YOU HAVE A TRADITIONAL TELEPHONE LANDLINE

The process is simple:

1. Place your transmitter on a sturdy flat surface next to your bed and near a phone jack and an electrical outlet.
2. Angle the transmitter so it faces where you lie on your bed.
3. Insert the transmitter’s phone cord splitter into the available phone jack.
4. Plug the transmitter’s power cord into the electrical outlet.
5. The transmitter will then begin to boot up; lights on the front of the transmitter will flash in sequence.
6. After a few seconds, the icon furthest to the left on the transmitter’s face will light up, the transmitter will beep, and the lights will flash in unison.
7. The transmitter is now ready to sync with your device.
8. When the transmitter syncs with your device, it automatically transmits the device’s data over the traditional telephone line to a secure, password-protected website, the Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network (PCN), where your physician or clinical staff can interpret it. Note that:

• The Merlin@home™ transmitter reads your device’s data without affecting the device’s function in any way. 
• During the short transmission, you will not be able to make or receive telephone calls. Other than when it is sending information, the Merlin@home transmitter will not cause any issues with your phone line, so be sure to keep it plugged in.

WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE A TELEPHONE LANDLINE: USING A CELLULAR ADAPTER

If you do not have a standard phone line, you may choose to use a cellular adapter for a monthly fee with a contract. You do not need a cellular phone to use the cellular adapter. However, you must order a cellular adapter; it does not come with your Merlin@home™ transmitter kit.

Setting up the transmitter with the cellular adapter is simple:

1. Place your transmitter on a sturdy flat surface next to your bed near an electrical outlet.
2. Angle the transmitter so it faces where you lie on your bed.
3. Insert the cellular adapter into the transmitter as indicated in the instructions that come with the adapter.
4. Plug the transmitter’s power cord into the electrical outlet.
5. The transmitter will then begin to boot up; lights on the front of the transmitter will flash in sequence.
6. After a few seconds, the icon furthest to the left on the transmitter’s face will light up, the transmitter will beep, and the lights will flash in unison.
7. The transmitter is now ready to sync with your device.
8. The adapter will automatically find a local cellular network; once the transmitter syncs with your device, it then transmits your device’s data over this network.

To learn about the wireless Merlin@home™ adapter and the service contract, call +1-877-MY-MERLIN (+1-877-696-3754).

WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE A TELEPHONE LANDLINE: USING A BROADBAND KIT

If you do not have a standard phone line, you may choose to use a broadband kit, which consists of a wireless USB adapter and a wireless access point for a one-time upfront fee. You must have existing internet service. You must also order a wireless USB adapter; it does not come with your Merlin@home transmitter kit. 

Setting up the transmitter with the broadband kit is simple:

1. Find the router that is already in your home.
2. Plug the Ethernet cable attached to the wireless access point into an open Ethernet port on your router.
3. Plug the power supply for the wireless access point into the wall electrical outlet.
4. Plug the wireless adapter’s USB cable into the USB port on the transmitter and clip it onto the back of the transmitter.
5. Place your transmitter on a sturdy, flat surface next to your bed, near an electrical outlet.
6. Angle the transmitter so it faces where you lie on your bed.
7. Plug the transmitter’s power cord into the electrical outlet.
8. The transmitter will then begin to boot up; lights on the front of the transmitter will flash in sequence.
9. After a few seconds, the icon furthest to the left on the transmitter’s face will light up, the transmitter will beep, and the lights will flash in unison.
10. The transmitter is now ready to sync with your device; the wireless adapter will automatically communicate with the wireless access point connected to your existing router and transmit your device’s data.

GETTING HELP

If you have the Merlin@home™ Transmitter and require technical support, contact us:

• Within the United States: call Technical Support at +1-877-MY-MERLIN (+1-877-696-3754) or email us.
• Outside of the United States: contact your Abbott representative, call Remote Care Technical Support at +46 8 474 4756 or email us.

REFERENCES

1. Mabo, P., Victor, F., Basin, P., Ahres, S., Babuty, D., Da Costa, A., ... Daubert, J-C. & COMPAS Trial Investigators. (2012). A randomized trial of long-term remote monitoring of pacemaker recipients (the COMPAS trial). European Heart Journal,33(1105-1111).http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehr419
2. Mittal S., Piccini, J. P., Fischer, A., Snell, J., Dalal, N., & Varma, N. (2014, May). Increased adherence to remote monitoring is associated with reduced mortality in both pacemaker and defibrillator patients. Abstract LB01-05. Presented at the meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society, San Francisco, CA. This was a retrospective data review and has some limitations. 

WHY WOULD I USE A REMOTE SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN MY DEVICE AND MY DOCTOR?

Connecting with your doctor through the Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network gives your doctor frequent information about your device’s function which helps increase safety for you.

HOW WILL MY DOCTOR READ MY DATA?

Your doctor will have access to your device data through the Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network. Merlin.net Patient Care Network is able to notify the doctor if it detects an event that needs urgent attention (as defined by your doctor).

WILL THE TRANSMITTER INTERFERE WITH MY HOME PHONE IF I HAVE A LANDLINE?

While your transmitter is sending data, callers will receive a busy signal, just as they would if you were on another call. When the transmitter is not sending data, you should leave it plugged in. It will not interfere with the normal use of your telephone.

WILL REMOTE MONITORING AFFECT MY DEVICE’S PERFORMANCE?

No. Your device will continue to function normally during remote follow-ups and monitoring.

IS THE MERLIN@HOME™ TRANSMITTER COMPLICATED TO USE?

The transmitter is easy to operate, and comes with startup instructions and a user’s guide.

CYBERSECURITY: YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

At Abbott, we create and provide products, devices, and systems that help people live their best lives through good health. Our goal is to ensure our devices, products, and systems meet the highest security standards and that commitment governs how we approach cybersecurity across our business.

Please read this letter from Mark Carlson, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer for Abbott, for more information about the cybersecurity protocols and protections in place for Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network (PCN) and Merlin@home™ transmitter.

If you have any questions about your software version, please call +1-877-MY-MERLIN to speak with an Abbott technician.

See our August 29, 2017 cybersecurity pacemaker firmware update.

See our January 9, 2017 cybersecurity release update.