Cumulative measurement of an analyte
First Claim
1. A method of operating a device for monitoring the level of an analyte in a subject, wherein the device includes a sensor, a sensor chamber, and a microelectronic circuit, comprising the steps of:
- (a) operating the microelectronic circuit to monitor the sensor to develop a measurement of the concentration of the analyte in a sample;
(b) operating the microelectronic circuit to induce a flow of a bodily fluid from the subject into the sensor chamber, thereby introducing into the sample a quantity of the analyte that is representative of the level of analyte in the subject;
(c) operating the microelectronic circuit to monitor the sensor to develop another measurement of the concentration of the analyte in the sample;
(d) operating the microelectronic circuit to determine a level of the analyte in the subject based on the difference between the measurement of concentration developed in step (c) and an immediately preceding measurement of concentration; and
(e) repeating steps (b) to (d) at intervals to generate a sequence of determinations over time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of monitoring the level of an analyte such as glucose in a subject comprises repeated steps of extracting a quantity of the analyte from the subject into a sample, for example using reverse iontophoresis, then measuring the concentration of the analyte with a method that depletes the analyte. Whereas known methods aim to deplete the analyte fully between extraction steps, the present method allows the concentration to build up with each cycle and measures successive changes in concentration. The higher concentrations present permit more reliable measurements to be made. The sample may be primed with an initial quantity of the analyte.
3 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of operating a device for monitoring the level of an analyte in a subject, wherein the device includes a sensor, a sensor chamber, and a microelectronic circuit, comprising the steps of:
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(a) operating the microelectronic circuit to monitor the sensor to develop a measurement of the concentration of the analyte in a sample; (b) operating the microelectronic circuit to induce a flow of a bodily fluid from the subject into the sensor chamber, thereby introducing into the sample a quantity of the analyte that is representative of the level of analyte in the subject; (c) operating the microelectronic circuit to monitor the sensor to develop another measurement of the concentration of the analyte in the sample; (d) operating the microelectronic circuit to determine a level of the analyte in the subject based on the difference between the measurement of concentration developed in step (c) and an immediately preceding measurement of concentration; and (e) repeating steps (b) to (d) at intervals to generate a sequence of determinations over time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification