Visualization of a parameter which is measured on the human body

• US 8,279,226 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Krieftewirth, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery A
• Application Number:
  US12/636,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 345/440.1, 345/440.2
• US Class Current: 345/440.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof

Abstract

In a method for visualization of a parameter which is measured continuously on or in a human body, in particular a glucose concentration, the following steps are carried out. First, a measured value range for a measured parameter is subdivided into two or more sub-ranges. Trend information is then calculated relating to the future expected profile of the measured parameter on the basis of two or more measured values. A time period after which it is predicted that the measured parameter will have left its current sub-range is calculated based on current value of the measured parameter and the calculated trend information and finally the time period is displayed. On the basis of the calculation and display of a time period after which the measured parameter will have departed from one sub-range to another, it is possible for a patient to assess, even without detailed knowledge of the medical relationships, the effects of his action at a time which he can comprehend on the basis of the prognoses available to him, and if appropriate to take corrective actions. An apparatus for carrying out a method such as this comprises a measurement apparatus, a system controller with a computer having a memory unit and a display. A computer program product for carrying out a method such as this on an appropriate apparatus is likewise disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for visualization of a glucose concentration which is measured continuously in a human body, comprising the following steps:

a) subdividing a measured value range for a glucose concentration into two or more sub-ranges that are user-defined to address widely different individual requirements and medical situations;

b) calculating trend information relating to the future expected profile of the glucose concentration on the basis of two or more measured values;

c) determining a result value, based on a current value of the glucose concentration, the calculated trend information and a definable input value; and

d) displaying the glucose concentration current value, trend information, and the result value.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the definable input value is the sub-range, and the result value to be determined is a time period after which the measured parameter has left or reached the sub-range.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the definable input value is a time period and in that the result value to be determined is a determined sub-range which the measured parameter will have reached after the definable time period.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the calculation of trend information over the future expected profile of the measured parameter on the basis of two or more measured values includes additional information relating to events which influence the measured parameter.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the current sub-range, the time period until this sub-range is left and a next predicted sub-range which will be reached after leaving the current sub-range are displayed at the same time.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measured value range is subdivided into sub-ranges by means of limit, threshold and target values of the measured parameter.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the trend calculation is carried out by evaluation of at least two measured values at different times using a spline function.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that calculating trend information is performed using a spline function.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measured value range is subdivided into physiologically relevant sub-ranges.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a warning is emitted independently of an active check prior to the glucose concentration reaching a critical value.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein a request for a corrective action is emitted prior to the glucose concentration reaching a critical value.

12. An apparatus for visualization of a glucose concentration which is measured continuously in a human body, comprising:

a) a measurement apparatus for continuous measurement or feeding of a parameter which is measured on or in a human body, in particular a glucose concentration;

b) a system controller coupled to the measurement apparatus having, a computer for the calculation of trend information about a future expected profile of the parameter which is measured and for determination of a result value, and a memory unit for storage of a measured value range subdivision, parameters fed in and measured values; and

c) a display coupled to the system controller;

wherein the system controller being designed and programmed such that,

d) the measured value range for a glucose concentration of the measurement apparatus are subdivided into at least two sub-ranges that are user-defined to address widely different individual requirements and medical situations;

e) the result value sub-range can be determined on the basis of a current value of the glucose concentration, the calculated trend information and the definable input value time period; and

f) the display shows the current value of the glucose concentration, trend information, the result sub-range, and the input value time period.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an input apparatus coupled to the system controller for interaction between a user and the system controller.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an alarm transmitter coupled to the system controller which warns a user prior to the glucose concentration reaching a critical value.