Personal diagnostic devices and related methods

• US 20050106713A1
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Patch International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Life Patch International Incorporated
• Inventors: Valencia, Ramoncito M., Bollella, Donald, Phan, Brigitte Chau, Pal, Andrew Atilla
• Granted Patent: US 9,133,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/07 Home care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0285 Nanoscale sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1411 by percutaneous method, e.g. by lancet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14514 using means for aiding extraction of interstitial fluid, e.g. microneedles or suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14521 using means for promoting sweat production, e.g. heating the skin measuring sweat secretion A61B5/4266
• 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 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150213 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150221 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150251 : Collection chamber divided into at least two compartments, e.g. for division of samples injection syringes having more than one chamber A61M5/19; syringes for injection of two or more media A61M5/2448, A61M5/284; sample preparation for further analysis A61B5/150755
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150358 : Strips for collecting blood, e.g. absorbent optical reagent test strips G01N21/8483; chemical reagent test strips G01N33/4875, G01N33/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150389 : Hollow piercing elements, e.g. canulas, needles, for piercing the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150755 : Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15087 : short range, e.g. between console and disposable using implanted devices A61B5/150877
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150969 : Low-profile devices which resemble patches or plasters, e.g. also allowing collection of blood samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150984 : Microneedles or microblades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/151 : Devices specially adapted for taking samples of capillary blood, e.g. by lancets , needles or blades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/157 : Devices characterised by integrated means for measuring characteristics of blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 : Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 : Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/72 : Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes character recognition, recognising digital ink, document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00; recognition or understanding of postal images G06V30/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 : User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 : Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/12 : Specific details about manufacturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/143 : Quality control, feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 : Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/027 : Digital display, e.g. LCD, LED
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 : Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 : Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 : Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 : Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 : Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 : Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 : vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 : pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 : phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 : characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 : characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 : characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 : Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 : Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/528 : Atypical element structures, e.g. gloves, rods, tampons, toilet paper

Abstract

Personal diagnostic devices including diagnostic patches (bio-patches) and interactive medical bracelets (bio-bracelets) are provided with a skin/patch interface, at least one analysis layer, a signal processing layer, and a user output interface. Embodiments of the interactive diagnostic devices may include micro-fluidic circuits with reaction chambers, analysis chambers, mixing cambers, and various pre-disposed chemistries or reagents for performing a wide verity of tests by trans-dermal transport of blood or perspiration. Sample collection chambers for the fluidic circuit may include minimally invasive tubules that penetrate the skin surface to acquire blood samples from capillaries near the epidermis. Alternate implementations of the personal diagnostic device may be equipped with logic processing, input/output devices, acoustic microphones, cryogenic circuits, embedded processors, electrical control circuitry, and battery current sources or photovoltaic sources of electrical power.

Claims

1. A personal diagnostic device, comprising:

a sample acquisition layer for obtaining a fluid sample from a user;

a fluid sample layer for processing said fluid sample obtained from said user, said fluid sample layer being in fluid communication with said sample acquisition layer;

means for detecting diagnostic results derived from said processing of said fluid sample; and

means for displaying said diagnostic results.

2. The device according to claim 1 further including at least one cavity containing a pressurized gas.

3. The device according to claim 1 further including at least one cavity containing a vacuum.

4. The device according to claim 1 further including hydrophobic surfaces for retarding fluid flow.

5. The device according to claim 1 further including hydrophilic surfaces for promoting fluid flow.

6. The device according to claim 1 further including a sound emitter for providing said user with feedback.

7. The device according to claim 1 further including a logic processing system.

8. The device according to claim 7 further including an Internet Protocol address within said logic processing.

9. A personal diagnostic device, comprising:

an air sample acquisition member for obtaining an air sample from the ambient environment of a user;

means for testing said air sample for at least one specific air born contaminant;

a fluid sample acquisition layer for obtaining a fluid sample from a user;

a fluid sample layer for processing said fluid sample obtained from said user, said fluid sample layer being in fluid communication with said sample acquisition layer;

a detector implemented to detect diagnostic results derived from said processing of said fluid sample; and

a display unit that displays said diagnostic result.

10. The device according to claim 9 further including a logic processing system having TCP/IP.

11. The device according to claim 9 further including a receiver and a transmitter to provide telemetry information regarding location of said user.

12. The device according to claim 9 further including a processor for processing said diagnostic results detected by said detector.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein said processor generates output information regarding a medical state of the user.

14. The device according to claim 13 further including a memory for storing said output information.

15. A method of using a personal diagnostic device, said method comprising the steps of:

applying a respective personal diagnostic device to a user;

allowing said personal diagnostic device to obtain a biological sample from said user;

processing said biological sample in said personal diagnostic device to obtain medical or health information regarding the user;

transmitting said information to a receiving device; and

displaying output results associated with said medical information.

16. The method according to claim 15 further including the step of storing said information in said personal diagnostic device before said transmitting step is performed.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein said receiving device is in said personal diagnostic device.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein said receiving device is a personal computer.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein said receiving device is linked to a communications network.

20. The method according to claim 15 wherein said biological sample is blood.