Method and a system for assisting a user in a medical self treatment, said self treatment comprising a plurality of actions

• US 6,656,114 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Aasmul, Søren, Poulsen, Jens Ulrik, Christensen, Lars Hofmann
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/462,128
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 702/19, 705/2-4, 600/300-301, 600/316, 600/347, 600/365, 604/65-66, 128/920-925, 128/904, 128/897, 340/573.1, 700/242
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/921 Diet management

Abstract

A method of self treating a disease, such as diabetes, includes collecting in one or more databases data representing values of parameters that related to the self treatment. The data is processed to provide a plurality of alternate choices between two or more actions that may be taken and a corresponding value for each action is calculated. A computerized system may be employed to perform the above method and the system may include a computer readable medium for executing the method.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a patient in self-treating diabetes, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a value fin a blood glucose level from a patient with a blood glucose monitor;

receiving other data relating to the patients condition;

collecting the value for the patient'"'"'s blood glucose level and other data in one or more databases, wherein the collecting of blood glucose levels is accomplished automatically, without the user manually entering the blood glucose reading;

accessing the data with a processor;

analyzing the data with the processor wherein the analysis is automated sad performed using a data base engine means for proposing alternative treatment options; and

based on the analysis, proposing two or more alternative choices for treating the patient based on the blood glucose level and other data inputted by the patient;

wherein each choice presented will result in adequate blood glucose levels.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of estimating one or more future blood glucose level(s).

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of estimating the future blood glucose level is done on the basis of a dynamic model representing a human metabolism.

4. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of notifying said user if at least one of said one or more future values are outside a predetermined range of acceptable values.

5. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of notifying a care-team/professional/central system if at least one of said one or more future values are outside a predetermined range of acceptable values.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said method further comprises the steps of

registering one of said alternative choices selected by said user and registering a corresponding value specified by said user, and

collecting in said one or more databases said registered choice and said registered corresponding value,

wherein the registering steps may each be performed either automatically or manually or both.

7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of collecting in said one or more databases data representing the time.

8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of collecting in said one or more databases data specified by a care-team/professional/central system.

9. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that said one or more future values represents a predicted blood glucose level (BGL) at different future points in time.

10. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said other data comprises one or more of

blood glucose level (BGL),

amount of administered medication,

amount of administered insulin,

type of medication,

time stamp,

amount of intake of food

amount of intake of drinks,

measurement of physical activity,

insulin sensitivity,

temperature

blood pressure, and

weight of said user

11. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said other data comprises one or more of

body fluid connection,

amount of administered medication,

type of medication,

time stamp,

amount of intake of food,

amount of intake of drinks,

measurement of physical activity.

insulin sensitivity,

temperature

blood pressure,

weight of said user,

insulin,

OHA (Oral Hyperglyehernical Agent),

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), and

growths hormones.

12. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said alternative choices are selected from the group of

administer slow acting insulin,

administer fast acting insulin,

administer tablets,

exercise,

intake food, and

intake drinks.

13. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of controlling data information between a plurality of portable apparatuses for use by a patient for medical self treatment, the treatment including a first action and at least a second action, said portable apparatuses comprising a first apparatus for performing the action operation, and at least a second apparatus for performing the second action, wherein:

each apparatus has a means for one or mere of the following;

storing, transmitting, receiving, processing and displaying information,

an attempted data communication between said apparatuses is initiated on request, said communication being controlled by a functional master module,

designating said functional master module among at least two of said apparatuses, and

designating a processing apparatus comprising said one or more databases among at least two of said apparatuses.

14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that program information having the highest priority with respect to control and monitoring of mutual data communication between said apparatuses is stored/activated in said functional master module.

15. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that said method further comprises designating a new functional master module if the current designating master module becomes unavailable.

16. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that said method further comprises designating a new processing apparatus if the current designated processing apparatus becomes unavailable.

18. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that said method further comprises the step of selecting one or more portable apparatuses which is present and active from all the portable apparatuses and presenting corresponding choices only for the selected one or more portable apparatuses.

19. A computer system having means for executing a program, where the program when executed is to make the computer execute the method according to claim 1.

20. A computer readable medium having a program recorded thereon, where the program when executed is to make the computer execute the method according to claim 1.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the other data is automatically collected without the need for the patient to manually enter the data.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the other data is manually inputted.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein some of the other data is automatically collected and some of the other data is inputted by the patient.

17. A method characterized in that said method further comprises the step of representing values of parameters relevant for said self treatment from one or more of said portable apparatuses.

24. A system for assisting in the self-treatment of diabetes, the system comprising:

one or more databases for storing data relating to the patients condition;

a means for automatically collecting blood glucose data and sending it to at least one of the databases; and

a processor for accessing the data, the processor configured to analyze the data with a database engine means for proposing two or more alternative choices for treating the patient based oil the blood glucose level and other data inputted by the patient wherein each choice presented will result in adequate blood glucose levels.

25. An apparatus for assisting a patient in self-treating diabetes, comprising:

a means for obtaining a value for a blood glucose level from a patient with a blood glucose monitor;

a means for receiving other data relating to the patients condition;

a means for collecting the value for the patient'"'"'s blood glucose level and other data in one or more databases, wherein the downloading of blood glucose levels is accomplished automatically, without the user manually entering the blood glucose reading;

a means for accessing the data with a processor;

a means for analyzing the data with the processor, the processor configured to analyze the data with a database engine means for proposing two or more alternative choices for treating the patient based on the blood glucose level and other data inputted by the patient; and

wherein each choice presented will result in adequate blood glucose levels.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a means for estimating one or more future blood glucose levels.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the a means for estimating one or more future valves utilizes a dynamic model representing a human metabolism.

28. An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a means for notifying said user if at least one of said one or more future values are outside a predetermined range of acceptable values.

29. An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a means for notifying a care-team/professional/central system if at least one of said one or more future values are outside a predetermined range of acceptable values.

30. An apparatus to claim 25, further comprising means for;

registering one of said alternative choices selected by said user and registering a corresponding value specified by said user, and

collecting in said one or more databases said registered choice and said registered corresponding value.

31. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a means for collecting in said one or more databases data representing the tine.

32. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a means for collecting in said one or more databases data specified by a care-team/professional/central system.

33. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein one or more future values represents a predicted blood glucose level (BGL) at different future points in time.

34. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said other data comprises one or more of

a. blood glucose level (BGL)

b. amount of administered medication,

c. amount of administered insulin,

d. type of medication,

e. time stamp,

f. amount of intake of food

g. amount of intake of drinks,

h. measurement of physical activity,

i. insulin sensitivity,

j. temperature,

k. blood pressure, and

l. weight of said user

35. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said other data comprises one or more of

body fluid concentration,

amount of administered medication,

type of medication,

time stamp,

amount of intake of food,

amount of intake of drinks,

measurement of physical activity,

insulin sensitivity,

temperature,

blood pressure, and

weight of said use.

insulin,

OHA(Oral Hyperglychemical Agent)

HRT(Hormone Replacement Therapy), and

growths hormones.

36. An apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said alternative choices are selected from the group of

administer slow acting insulin,

administer fast acting insulin,

administer tablets,

exercise,

intake food, and

intake drinks.

37. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a means for controlling data information between a plurality of portable apparatuses for use by a patient for medical self treatment, the treatment including a first action and at least a second action, said portable apparatuses comprising a first apparatus for performing the action operation, and at least a second apparatus for performing the second action wherein:

each apparatus has a means for one or more of the following;

storing, transmitting, receiving processing and displaying information,

an attempted data communication between said apparatuses is initiated on request, said communication being controlled by a functional master module,

designating said functional master module among at least two of said apparatuses, and

designating a processing apparatus comprising said one or more databases among at least two of said apparatuses.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that program information having the highest priority with respect to control and monitoring of mutual data communication between said apparatuses is stored/activated in said functional master module.

39. An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a means for designating a new functional master module if the current designating master module becomes unavailable.

40. An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a means for designating a new processing apparatus if the current designated processing apparatus becomes unavailable

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising a means for receiving said data representing values of parameters relevant for said self treatment from one or more of said portable apparatuses.

42. An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising a means for selecting one or more portable apparatuses which is present and active from all the portable apparatuses and presenting corresponding choices only for the selected one or more portable apparatuses.

43. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a means for automatically collecting the data without the need for the patient to manually enter the data.

44. The apparatus of claim 25, comprising a means for manually entering the other data.

45. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a manual entry means and an automatic entry means whereby some of the other data is automatically collected and some of the other data is inputted by a patient.

46. An apparatus for assisting a patient in self-treating diabetes, comprising:

a means for obtaining a value for a blood glucose level from a patient,

a means for receiving and storing a patient'"'"'s blood glucose and other data relating to the patients condition;

a means for accessing and analyzing the blood glucose level and the other data with a processor,

wherein the processor is configured to analyze the data wit a database engine means for proposing two or more alternative choices for treating the patient based on the blood glucose level and other data inputted by the patient; and

wherein each choice presented will result in adequate blood glucose levels.