Blood glucose meter that reminds the user to test after a hypoglycemic event

• US 20030211617A1
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Steven Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/140,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20030211617A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/66 involving blood sugars, e.g. galactose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/104998 Glucose, ketone, nitrate standard or control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose

Abstract

Methods, program product, and apparatus are provided for implementing a blood glucose meter that will remind the user to test his or her blood glucose after a programmable wait when a hypoglycemic event is detected. Diabetics frequently have a “rebound” hyperglycemic event (high blood glucose) occur as a result of a hypoglycemic event (low blood glucose). The disclosed invention allows the user to program the meter with a waiting period which he or she determines is appropriate to wait following a low blood glucose reading. At the end of this period, the meter will alert the user by way of an audible or tactile warning.

Claims

1. A blood glucose meter that provides a warning to the user after a predetermined time interval following the meter'"'"'s measurement of a blood glucose concentration lower than a predetermined value.

2. A blood glucose meter comprising:

a digital processor;

a memory, coupled to the processor, capable of storing an executable program, program data storage, and data entered by a user;

a blood glucose sensor, coupled to the processor, capable of analyzing a first sample of blood and reporting to the processor a blood glucose concentration of the first blood sample;

a plurality of keys coupled to the processor, by which the user can enter data;

an alarm, coupled to the processor;

a display, coupled to the processor; and

an interval timer;

wherein the blood glucose meter is capable of reminding the user to re-test the user'"'"'s blood glucose concentration, using a second blood sample, after a pre-programmed time period following a hypoglycemic measurement of the first blood sample.

3. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the memory stores a user-entered value for a hypo limit, the hypo limit being a threshold value of the blood glucose concentration below which the user has determined a rebound hyperglycemic event will occur as a result;

and a value for a wait interval, the wait interval being a time period the user has determined is appropriate to wait, after a blood glucose concentration measurement, of the first blood sample, below the hypo limit, before being reminded to re-test, using the second blood sample, for a rebound hyperglycemic measurement.

4. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the memory comprises nonvolatile storage.

5. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the blood glucose sensor makes a plurality of resistive measurements of a reagent area to determine the blood glucose concentration.

6. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the blood glucose sensor makes a plurality of color measurements of a reagent area to determine the blood glucose concentration.

7. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the alarm produces an audible sound.

8. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the alarm produces a tactile warning capable of being felt by the user.

9. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the alarm produces a visual warning to the user.

10. The blood glucose meter of claim 2, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display, or a light-emitting diode display.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of reminding the diabetic to re-check his or her blood glucose concentration comprises activating an audible alarm.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of reminding the diabetic to re-check his or her blood glucose concentration comprises activating a tactile alarm.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of reminding the diabetic to re-check his or her blood glucose concentration comprises activating a visual alarm.

11. A method of reminding a diabetic to re-check his or her blood glucose concentration after a predetermined wait period following a hypoglycemic event, implemented in a blood glucose meter, comprising the steps of:

receiving a hypo limit value from the user and saving the limit in a memory;

receiving a wait interval from the user and saving the interval in a memory;

measuring a blood sample and determining a blood glucose concentration of the blood sample;

comparing the blood glucose concentration of the blood sample to the hypo limit value; and

if the blood glucose concentration of the blood sample is less than the hypo limit value, reminding the diabetic to re-check his or her blood glucose concentration after waiting a time period equal to the value of the wait interval.

15. A program product, comprising:

a program configured to run in a blood glucose meter, the program comprising steps that will compare a measurement of blood glucose concentration to a value stored in a hypo limit, and if the measurement is less than the value, will cause an alarm to be activated after a predetermined interval following the measurement; and

a signal bearing medium bearing the program.