Glucose monitoring instrument having network connectivity

• US 20020068858A1
• Filed: 12/01/2000
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Original Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Inventors: Hewett, Gary E., Braig, James R., Goldberger, Daniel S., Munrow, Michael A., Cortella, Julian M., Azizi, Kamrava
• Granted Patent: US 6,645,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/316
• 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: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

A glucose monitoring instrument having network-based communication features which provide a link between patient and practitioner. The glucose monitoring instrument comprises circuitry for communicating data with one or more destination sites on the network which are configured to transmit and receive information to and from the instrument. Instrument measurements are transmitted over the link in addition to information and guidance, to provide increased accuracy, improved program compliance, and patient guidance from a supervisory authority or medical practitioner. In addition, a set of calibration features encourage calibration compliance.

Claims

1. In a glucose monitoring instrument having a glucose detection element and signal processing circuitry, the improvement comprising:

(a) means for providing network connectivity of the instrument for the communication of measurements and information between a patient and a supervisory authority, such as a medical practitioner; and

(b) network protocol associated with said instrument capable of providing said network connectivity.

2. A glucose monitoring instrument, comprising:

(a) means for collecting glucose readings from a patient; and

(b) means for communicating said glucose readings over a network to a remote station to allow a supervisory authority, such as a medical practitioner, to oversee data collection and patient treatment.

3. In a glucose measurement instrument having means for measuring patient glucose information and processing that information into one or more readings, the improvement comprising:

(a) a network communications interface capable of communicating over a connected network; and

(b) a controller configured for executing a series of programmed instructions which provide for the communication of measurements and information with a remote station to allow a supervisory authority, such as a medical practitioner, to oversee patient data collection and compliance with a treatment program.

4. In a glucose measurement instrument as recited in claim 3, the improvement further comprising communication of measurement data and time of measurement.

5. In a glucose measurement instrument as recited in claim 3, the improvement further comprising means for communicating a patient initiated alert to said remote station to allow for practitioner intervention on behalf of said patient.

6. In a glucose measurement instrument as recited in claim 4, the improvement further comprising means for communicating calibration information to a remote station to encourage calibration compliance.

7. An apparatus for monitoring the glucose levels of a patient comprising:

(a) a glucose detector element capable of taking measurements of bodily glucose levels;

(b) a network communications interface; and

(c) a processor operating from programmed instructions capable of controlling measurements from the glucose detector element and of communicating glucose measurement information via the network communications interface to a remote location.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the glucose measurement information comprises measurement data, and time of measurement.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for communicating a patient initiated alert to said remote location to allow for practitioner intervention on behalf of said patient.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for communicating calibration information to a remote station for monitoring and controlling aspects of instrument calibration to encourage calibration compliance.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the glucose detector performs noninvasive blood glucose measurements.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the glucose detector element comprises a thermal gradient spectrophotometer.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising programmed instructions for the processor to generate alerts to inform the patient when the time arrives for taking a measurement according to a predetermined schedule or network communicated practitioner directive.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising programmed instructions for the processor to generate warnings transmitted to a remote location when measured glucose levels exceed the bounds of a preselected range.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a panic button which upon activation sends an alert to a remote location over the network communication interface to alert a supervisory authority so that intercession on the patients behalf may be instituted.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein periodic maintenance and calibration information is communicated over the network communication interface to a remote location.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising a lockout mode that is entered upon receiving commands over the network communication interface, the lockout mode restricting the functionality of the instrument which may be accessed by the user.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising a lockout mode that is entered upon determining that the calibration interval for the instrument has been exceeded, the lockout mode restricting which functions of the instrument which may currently accessed by the user.

19. A method of providing supervision of blood glucose measurements, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting a glucose measurement on a portable blood glucose instrument;

(b) processing the glucose measurement into a set of data values; and

(c) communicating said data values over a network to a remote station such that a supervisory authority, such as a medical practitioner, may oversee the data collection and patient treatment program, the communication of said data values being provided by a network communications interface within said blood glucose instrument.