Devices and methods for frequent measurement of an analyte present in a biological system

• US 20030144581A1
• Filed: 01/29/2003
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeScan IP Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cygnus, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Potts, Russell O., Tamada, Janet A., Tierney, Michael J., Soni, Pravin L., Ford, Russell, Conn, Thomas E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,163,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for frequently measuring the concentration of an analyte present in a biological system. A monitoring system having at least two components is employed in order to allow separation of data collection from data processing and display. Such separation allows greater flexibility and convenience for the user.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for frequently measuring an analyte present in a biological system, said monitoring system comprising,

(a) a first component comprising

(i) a transdermal or transmucosal sampling mechanism for extracting the analyte from the biological system, wherein said sampling mechanism is adapted for extracting the analyte across a skin or mucosal surface of said biological system;

(ii) sensing mechanism in operative contact with the analyte extracted by the sampling mechanism, wherein said sensing mechanism obtains a signal from the extracted analyte and said signal is specifically related to the analyte; and

(iii) first mechanism for providing operative communication with a second component of the monitoring system; and

(b) a second component comprising

(i) a user interface; and

(ii) second mechanism for providing operative communication with the first component.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sampling mechanism is selected from the group consisting of iontophoresis, electroosmosis, sonophoresis, microdialysis, suction and passive diffusion.

3. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the sampling mechanism is iontophoresis.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first component further comprises a computing mechanism that converts the signal from the extracted analyte to an output indicative of the amount of analyte extracted by the sampling mechanism.

5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the output is communicated to the second component for display.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the second component receives the signal from the first component, wherein the second component further comprises a computing mechanism that converts the signal from the extracted analyte to an output indicative of the amount of analyte extracted by the sampling mechanism and wherein the second component displays said output.

7. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanism for providing operative communication comprise a wire-like connection.

8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanism for providing operative communication comprise a wireless communication technology.

9. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication technology employs electromagnetic waves.

10. The monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication technology employs low frequency electromagnetic waves in a frequency range of about 1 Hz. to about 1 Mega Hz.

11. The monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication technology employs medium frequency electromagnetic waves in a frequency range of about 1 Mega Hz. to about 500 Mega Hz.

12. The monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication technology employs high frequency electromagnetic waves in a frequency range of about 500 Mega Hz. to about 5 Giga Hz.

13. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication technology employs capacitance coupling between the biological system and the biological system'"'"'s environment.

14. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication technology employs inductive coupling.

15. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication technology employs infrared coupling.

16. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication technology employs high frequency acoustic energy.

17. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the second component relays command signals to the first component.

18. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the command signals include signals to control operation of the sensing mechanism.

19. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the command signals include signals to control operation of the sampling mechanism.

20. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the second component can store analyte-related data.

21. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the analyte is glucose.

22. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said biological system is a mammal.

23. The monitoring system of claim 22, wherein said mammal is a human.

24. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising

(c) a third component comprising

(i) a delivery device;

and

(ii) a third mechanism for providing operative communication with the first and second components.

25. The monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the delivery device is implanted in the biological system.

26. The monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the delivery device is external in the biological system.

27. The monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the analyte is glucose and the delivery device comprises an insulin pump.

28. The monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the communication between first and second components and the third component is wireless.

29. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising

(c) a third component comprising

(i) a modem or personal computer;

and

(ii) a third mechanism for providing operative communication with the first and second components.

30. The monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the modem or personal computer is remote from the biological system.

31. The monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the analyte is glucose.

32. The monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the communication between first and second components and the third component is wireless.

33. The monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the modem or personal computer is operably linked to a wide area network (WAN).