Remote health monitoring and maintenance system

• US 20040199409A1
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen J Brown
• Original Assignee: Stephen J Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14 Devices for taking samples of blood hypodermic syringes A61M5/00; Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration within the blood, pH-value of blood measuring of blood pressure A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150854 long distance, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• 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: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• 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: Y10S 128/90 Blood pressure recorder

Abstract

A system and method is described that enables a health care provider to monitor and manage a health condition of a patient. The system includes a health care provider apparatus operated by a health care provider and a remotely programmable patient apparatus that is operated by a patient. The health care provider develops a script program using the health care provider apparatus and then sends the script program to a remotely programmable patient apparatus through a communication network such as the World Wide Web. The script program is a computer-executable patient protocol that provides information to the patient about the patient'"'"'s health condition and that interactively monitors the patient health condition by asking the patient questions and by receiving answers to those questions. The answers to these health related questions are then forwarded as patient data from the remotely programmable patient apparatus to the health care provider apparatus through the communication network. The patient data may also include information supplied by a physiological monitoring device such as a blood glucose monitor that is connected to the remotely programmable patient apparatus. When the patient data arrives at the health care provider apparatus, the patient data is processed for further management of the patient'"'"'s health condition by the health care provider, such as forwarding another script program to the remotely programmable patient apparatus.

Claims

1. A blood glucose monitoring system, comprising:

a. a blood glucose monitor for monitoring a blood glucose level and for producing digitally encoded blood glucose level signals representative of said blood glucose level;

b. a programmable microprocessor-based portable unit;

c. a digital data storage medium, the medium

A. readable by said programmable micro-processor based unit; and

B. tangibly embodying therein a program of instructions executable by said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit, said program of instructions including instructions for signal processing in response to signals generated based upon said digitally encoded blood glucose signals and further for signal processing of insulin dosage data and detecting a need for a change in insulin dosage;

d. a signal interface connected in signal communication with said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit and said blood glucose monitor for coupling said digitally encoded blood glucose signals supplied by said blood glucose monitor to said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit; and

e. signal processing means connected in signal communication with said signal interface for performing signal processing functions in accordance with said program of instructions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor-based portable unit is a palm-top computer.

3. The system of claim 1, the blood glucose monitor for receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

4. The system of claim 3, the program of instructions including instructions for monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

5. The system of claim 4, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

6. The system of claim 3, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

7. The system of claim 3, the program of instructions further including instructions for performing a test sequence to confirm that the system is operating properly.

8. The system of claim 1, at least a component of said signal interface being connectable with a second device, other than said blood glucose monitor, in signal communication with said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit for coupling further signals supplied by said second device to said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit comprises an interactive interface, including:

1) a display for displaying information;

2) a plurality of switches operable for interactively controlling said microprocessor-based interactive portable unit and for manipulating said information displayed on said display; and

3) circuit means coupled to said plurality of switches for generating signals in response to said operation of said switches.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said microprocessor-based interactive portable unit is a palm-top computer.

11. The system of claim 9, the blood glucose monitor for receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

12. The system of claim 11, the program of instructions including instructions for monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

13. The system of claim 12, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

14. The system of claim 11, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

15. The system of claim 11, the program of instructions further including instructions for performing a test sequence to confirm that the system is operating properly.

16. The system of claim 9, at least a component of said signal interface being connectable with a second device, other than said blood glucose monitor, in signal communication with said programmable microprocessor-based interactive portable unit for coupling further signals supplied by said second device to said programmable microprocessor-based interactive portable unit.

17. A method of performing diabetes self-care with a system of integrated electronic devices, comprising:

powering a portable blood glucose monitor with one or more batteries;

receiving an amount of blood sufficient for a blood glucose monitor to run a blood glucose test sequence;

controlling the blood glucose test sequence;

computing a blood glucose level;

signal coupling the blood glucose monitor to a portable microprocessor-based electronic device via a first data port;

transmitting blood glucose test results from said blood glucose monitor to said portable microprocessor-based device;

running program instructions stored in a memory of the portable microprocessor-based device for performing analysis of the blood glucose test results, signal processing of insulin dosage data, and detecting a need for a change in insulin dosage; and

recording blood glucose test results and insulin dosage information in a memory of the portable microprocessor-based device, said memory also containing programming for establishing a data protocol that allows digital data signal processing, and for performing said analysis of blood glucose.

18. The method of claim 17, the receiving including inserting a test strip into a receptacle of the blood glucose monitor;

and applying a drop of blood to the strip.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying the blood glucose level on a display.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said portable, microprocessor-based electronic device comprises a palm-top computer.

21. The method of claim 17, the receiving comprising receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

22. The method of claim 21, the controlling comprising monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

23. The method of claim 22, the controlling further comprising monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

24. The method of claim 21, the controlling comprising monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

25. The method of claim 17, the controlling comprising performing a test sequence to confirm that the system is operating properly.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

powering a second device;

signal coupling the second device to said portable microprocessor-based electronic device; and

transmitting signals from said second device to said portable microprocessor-based device.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein said portable microprocessor-based device comprises an interactive interface including a display screen and a plurality of switches including a pair of spaced-apart push button switches and another pair of switches, and the method further comprises interactively controlling said portable microprocessor-based device by manipulating said switches.

28. A blood glucose monitoring system, comprising:

a. a blood glucose monitor for monitoring a blood glucose level and for producing digitally encoded blood glucose level signals representative of said blood glucose level;

b. a programmable microprocessor-based portable unit;

c. digital data storage media tangibly embodying therein processor-executable program instructions for signal processing in response to signals based upon said digitally encoded blood glucose signals and further for signal processing of insulin dosage data and detecting a need for a change in insulin dosage and further for performing a test sequence to confirm that the system is operating properly;

d. a signal interface connected in signal communication with said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit and said blood glucose monitor for coupling said digitally encoded health signals supplied by said blood glucose monitor to said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit; and

e. signal processing means connected in signal communication with said signal interface for performing signal processing functions in accordance with said program of instructions.

29. The system of claim 28, the blood glucose monitor for receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

30. The system of claim 29, the program of instructions including instructions further for monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

31. The system of claim 29, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein said microprocessor-based portable unit is a palm-top computer.

33. The system of claim 28, at least a component of said signal interface being connectable with a second device, other than said blood glucose monitor, in signal communication with said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit for coupling further signals supplied by said second device to said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein said programmable microprocessor-based portable unit comprises an interactive interface, including:

1) a display for displaying information;

2) a plurality of switches operable for interactively controlling said microprocessor-based interactive portable unit and for manipulating said information displayed on said display; and

3) circuit means coupled to said plurality of switches for generating signals in response to said operation of said switches.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said microprocessor-based interactive portable unit is a palm-top computer.

36. The system of claim 34, the blood glucose monitor for receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

37. The system of claim 36, the program of instructions including instructions for monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

38. The system of claim 36, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

39. The system of claim 34, at least a component of said signal interface being connectable with a second device, other than said blood glucose monitor, in signal communication with said programmable microprocessor-based interactive portable unit for coupling further signals supplied by said second device to said programmable microprocessor-based interactive portable unit.

40. A system of interconnected devices for performing diabetes self-care, comprising:

(a) a blood glucose monitor, including;

(i) a receptacle for receiving an amount of blood sufficient for the monitor to run a blood glucose test sequence;

(ii) processing circuitry for controlling a blood glucose test sequence and computing a blood glucose level,

(iii) a battery compartment for holding a battery for powering the blood glucose monitor, and

(iv) a first data port for signal coupling to another electronic device; and

(b) a portable microprocessor-based device signal coupled with the blood glucose monitor, including;

(i) a second data port for signal coupling with the first data port and receiving blood glucose test results from said blood glucose monitor,

(ii) a microprocessor that runs according to program instructions stored in a memory for performing analysis of the blood glucose test results, signal processing of insulin dosage data, and detecting a need for a change in insulin dosage,

(iii) a memory for recording the recorded blood glucose test results and insulin dosage information therein, and for containing programming for establishing a data protocol that allows digital data signal processing, and for performing analysis of blood glucose.

41. The system of interconnected devices of claim 40, wherein said receptacle is for receiving a test strip upon which a drop of blood is applied.

42. The system of interconnected devices of claim 40, the blood glucose monitor further comprising a display for displaying the blood glucose level.

43. The system of interconnected devices of claim 40, wherein said microprocessor-based portable unit is a palm-top computer.

44. The system of interconnected devices of claim 40, the blood glucose monitor for receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

45. The system of interconnected devices of claim 44, the program of instructions including instructions for monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

46. The system of interconnected devices of claim 45, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

47. The system of interconnected devices of claim 44, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

48. The system of interconnected devices of claim 44, the program of instructions further including instructions for performing a test sequence to confirm that the system is operating properly.

49. The system of interconnected devices of claim 40, further comprising a second device, other than said blood glucose monitor, comprising a third data port, said second data port of said portable microprocessor-based device further for signal coupling with the second data port and receiving a signal from said second device.

50. The system of interconnected devices of claim 40, wherein the portable microprocessor-based device comprises an interactive interface, including:

(iv) a display screen; and

(v) a plurality of switches including a pair of spaced-apart push button switches and another pair of switches.

51. The system of interconnected devices of claim 50, wherein said receptacle is for receiving a test strip upon which a drop of blood is applied.

52. The system of interconnected devices of claim 50, the blood glucose monitor further comprising a display for displaying the blood glucose level.

53. The system of interconnected devices of claim 50, wherein said microprocessor-based portable unit is a palm-top computer.

54. The system of interconnected devices of claim 50, the blood glucose monitor for receiving a test strip including a reagent impregnated portion having blood applied thereto.

55. The system of interconnected devices of claim 54, the program of instructions including instructions for monitoring whether a sufficient amount of blood has been applied to said reagent impregnated portion of the test strip.

56. The system of interconnected devices of claim 55, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

57. The system of interconnected devices of claim 54, the program of instructions further including instructions for monitoring whether said test strip is properly inserted into the monitor.

58. The system of interconnected devices of claim 54, the program of instructions further including instructions for performing a test sequence to confirm that the system is operating properly.

59. The system of claim 50, further comprising a second device, other than said blood glucose monitor, comprising a third data port, said second data port of said portable microprocessor-based device further for signal coupling with the second data port and receiving a signal from said second device.