Methods and systems of automating medical device data management

• US 20050267780A1
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Bell, Michael, Matian, Greg, Ray, Pinaki
• Application Number:
  US11/142,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267780A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Methods and systems automating medical device data management are provided. The subject methods and systems are implemented by or include a software program loadable on a host system. The software program is configured for polling medical devices located within a detectable range of the host system; detecting a medical device; downloading data from the detected medical device to the host system; and generating one or more reports comprising at least some of the downloaded data; wherein the aforementioned steps are performed without user intervention.

Claims

1. A method of automating medical device data management, the method comprising:

polling for medical devices located within a detectable range;

detecting a medical device;

downloading data from the detected medical device to a host system; and

generating one or more reports comprising at least some of the downloaded data;

wherein the aforementioned steps are performed without user intervention.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more reports are prepared according to parameters determined by a healthcare professional.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising at least one of:

printing the one or more reports, faxing the one or more reports or emailing the one or more reports automatically without user intervention.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising uploading a software program to the host system, wherein the software program controls the performance of the aforementioned steps.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the software program comprises a background application for polling and detecting the medical device.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising prompting a user for data to be included in the one or more reports, wherein the software program further comprises a foreground application for prompting the user.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising suspending the background application if the user does not provide the data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the medical device comprises connecting the device to the host system.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the downloaded data in memory.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising combining the downloaded data with existing data pertaining to the detected medical device according to parameters defined by a user.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the user is a healthcare professional and the host system is located at a healthcare professional'"'"'s office.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the polling is continuous.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the polling is periodic.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more reports comprise historical data stored in memory by the host system.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more reports comprise audio and visual alerts related to the downloaded data.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is implemented through a networked environment.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the networked environment is selected from the Internet or a land area network.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of polling, detecting and downloading are accomplished by wireless modes of communication.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the host system comprises a PC.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected medical device is a glucose measurement meter.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the report comprises a glucose trend graph.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the glucose trend graph comprises iconic event markers.

23. A system of automating medical device data management, the system comprising:

a host system; and

a software program loadable on the host system and configured for;

polling for medical devices located within a detectable range of the host system;

detecting a medical device;

downloading data from the detected medical device to the host system; and

generating one or more reports comprising at least some of the downloaded data;

wherein the aforementioned steps are performed without user intervention.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising at least one of a printer, a fax machine and email system interfaced with the host system.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the host system is located at a healthcare professional'"'"'s office.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the host system comprises a PC.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the system is used in a networked environment.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the networked environment is selected from the Internet or a land area network.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the software program comprises a background application and a foreground application, wherein the background application is suspended when the foreground application is active and visa versa.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising a database, wherein data stored in the database are accessible by the background application and by the foreground application.

31. A software program loadable on a host system, the software program comprising:

means for polling for medical devices located within a detectable range of the host system;

means for detecting a medical device;

means for downloading data from the detected medical device to the host system; and

means for generating one or more reports comprising at least some of the downloaded data;

wherein the aforementioned steps are performed without user intervention.

32. The software program of claim 31, wherein parameters for generating the one or more reports and/or storing data are customizable by a user.