Method and System for Providing Sensor Redundancy

• US 20080161664A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Yoon, Richard K., Mastrototaro, John J., Keenan, Desmond Barry
• Granted Patent: US 7,946,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/347
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6849 in combination with a needle set
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/201 Glucose concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

A closed loop system or semi-closed loop system for infusing insulin using sensor values applies a redundant sensor system as a fail-safe method against sensor failure. The redundant glucose sensors are used corroborate each other and a failing sensor is detected if the sensors no longer corroborate each other. The use of redundant sensors has the additional benefit of producing better sensor signals compared to the use of a single sensor.

Claims

1. A method of sensing blood glucose values using redundant sensors, comprising:

obtaining a first glucose reading from a first glucose sensor located at a first site;

obtaining a second glucose reading from a second glucose sensor located at a second site;

deriving a first predictive value to the first glucose reading using the second glucose reading as an input;

deriving a second predictive value to the second glucose reading using the first glucose reading as an input;

determining a first error between the first predictive value and the first glucose reading;

determining a second error between the second predictive value and the second glucose reading;

comparing a sum of the absolute error values of the first and second errors to a threshold; and

determining a failing sensor exists if the sum of the absolute error values exceed the threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the first glucose sensor or second glucose sensor has the least error in the sensor signal if the sum of the absolute values does not exceed the threshold; and

calculating a reported blood glucose value based on the glucose sensor having the least error in the sensor signal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting a meter glucose value if the sum of the absolute values exceed the threshold; and

comparing the meter glucose value to the first and second glucose reading to determine if the first or second glucose reading is failing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first glucose sensor and the second glucose sensor use different types of technology.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first site is subcutaneous tissue, and the second site is blood plasma.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first site and the second site is subcutaneous tissue.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second sensor acts as a watchdog for the first sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of deriving a first predictive value and deriving a second predictive value uses a first and a second adaptive filter.

9. A closed loop system or semi-closed loop system for infusing insulin using sensor values comprising:

infusion pump delivering insulin based on the reported blood glucose value derived by the method of claim 2.

10. A closed loop system or semi-closed loop system for infusing insulin using sensor values comprising:

a first glucose sensor located at a first site generating a first blood glucose reading;

a second glucose sensor located at a second site generating a second blood glucose reading;

a controller to determine whether the first blood glucose reading or the second blood glucose reading is a more reliable blood glucose reading; and

an infusion pump delivering insulin based on the more reliable blood glucose reading.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first glucose sensor and the second glucose sensor corroborate each other.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a failing sensor is detected if the first sensor and the second sensor no longer corroborate each other.

13. A system of sensing blood glucose values using redundant sensors, comprising:

means for obtaining a first glucose reading from a first glucose sensor located at a first site;

means for obtaining a second glucose reading from a second glucose sensor located at a second site;

means for deriving a first predictive value to the first glucose reading using the second glucose reading as an input;

means for deriving a second predictive value to the second glucose reading using the first glucose reading as an input;

means for determining a first error between the first predictive value and the first glucose reading;

means for determining a second error between the second predictive value and the second glucose reading;

means for comparing a sum of the absolute error values of the first and second errors to a threshold; and

means for determining a failing sensor exists if the sum of the absolute error values exceed the threshold.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

means for determining whether the first glucose sensor or second glucose sensor has the least error in the sensor signal if the sum of the absolute values does not exceed the threshold; and

means for calculating a reported blood glucose value based on the glucose sensor having the least error in the sensor signal.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

means for requesting a meter glucose value if the sum of the absolute values exceed the threshold; and

means for comparing the meter glucose value to the first and second glucose reading to determine if the first or second glucose reading is failing.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first glucose sensor and the second glucose sensor use different types of technology.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first site is subcutaneous, and the second site is blood plasma.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first site and the second site is subcutaneous tissue.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the second sensor acts as a watchdog for the first sensor.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the steps of deriving a first predictive value and deriving a second predictive value uses a first and a second adaptive filter.