Method and Apparatus for Implementing Patient Data Download for Multiple Different Meter Types

• US 20080109259A1
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG (PHC Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Ruggiero, Joseph E., Thompson, Brian C., Lett, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,198,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method and apparatus implements patient data downloading for multiple different meter types, such as multiple different blood glucose meters. A plurality of serial ports is provided, each arranged for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types. Information is displayed and user selections are identified. Responsive to user entry identifying a particular meter type, a connection port/cable number for the meter connection is displayed for viewing by the user. Predefined instructions for the particular meter type are displayed. A data collection computer system is provided as an integral unit including a unitary housing containing a processor device, a printer, and a display touch screen. When a meter connection is identified, information is displayed, patient data is downloaded from the meter and is printed in a selected format together with selected reports generated from the downloaded patient data.

Claims

1. A method for implementing data management with a data collection computer system, said method comprising the acts of:

providing a plurality of serial ports, each respective serial port adapted for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types;

displaying information and identifying user selections;

responsive to user entry identifying a particular meter type, displaying a connection port/cable number for the meter connection for viewing by the user; and

displaying predefined instructions for the particular meter type.

2. The method for implementing data management of claim 1 wherein the act of providing a plurality of serial ports includes the acts of providing a respective cable with an associated connector coupled to each of said plurality of serial ports, said associated connector arranged for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types.

3. The method for implementing data management of claim 1 further including the acts of providing a unitary housing containing a processor device coupled to said plurality of serial ports, and a printer and a display touch screen coupled to said processor device.

4. The method for implementing data management of claim 3 further including the acts of providing a plurality of housing ports within said unitary housing, each of said housing ports receiving a respective cable with an associated connector, each of said respective cables being coupled to a respective one of said plurality of serial ports, said associated connector being arranged for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types.

5. The method for implementing data management of claim 1 further including the acts of detecting an attached meter, downloading patient data from the attached meter and printing a selected one or more of the downloaded patient data and a selected report generated from the patient data.

6. The method for implementing data management of claim 5 further including the acts of processing the downloaded patient data and generating an intelligent diabetes data interpretation (IDDI) report.

7. The method for implementing data management of claim 1 further including the acts of displaying selected information responsive to a user entry requesting said selected information.

8. The method for implementing data management of claim 1 further including the acts of displaying a prompt for the user to enter a type of meter to be attached.

9. An apparatus for implementing data management comprising:

a processor device,

a plurality of serial ports coupled to said processor device, each respective serial port adapted for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types; and

a display touch screen coupled to said processor device for displaying information and identifying user selections;

wherein said processor device is responsive to user entry identifying a particular meter type, for displaying a connection port/cable number for the meter connection for viewing by the user, and for displaying predefined instructions for the particular meter type.

10. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 9 further including a unitary housing containing said processor device, and said display touch screen.

11. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 10 further including a printer coupled to said processor device and contained within said unitary housing for printing downloaded patient data from an attached meter.

12. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 11 further including a memory coupled to said processor device, said memory adapted to store a meter communications control and intelligent diabetes data interpretation (IDDI) system program;

said meter communications control and intelligent diabetes data interpretation (IDDI) system program for generating and printing a selected report from the patient data.

13. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 11 further including an uninterruptible power supply coupled to said processor device and said printer, and contained within said unitary housing.

14. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 11 further including a plurality of housing ports provided within said unitary housing, each of said housing ports receiving a respective cable with an associated connector, each of said respective cables coupled to a respective one of said plurality of serial ports, said associated connector being arranged for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types.

15. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 14 further including one of a USB to serial hub or a multiple serial port adapter for coupling an attached meter to said processor device.

16. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 9 wherein said processor device is programmed to display predefined information for each particular meter type responsive to a user entry.

17. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 9 wherein said processor device is programmed to display predefined educational information for viewing by a patient.

18. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 11 further including a plurality of housing ports provided within said unitary housing, each of said housing ports receiving a respective cable with an associated connector, each of said respective cables being coupled to said processor device by a respective one of said plurality of serial ports.

19. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 18 wherein said associated connector is arranged for connection to a respective meter of the multiple different meter types.

20. The apparatus for implementing data management of claim 18 wherein said unitary housing includes a channel connected to each of said plurality of housing ports, said channel adapted to receive each of said respective cables, said associated connector being arranged for connection to a respective meter without opening said unitary housing.