Visualization of a parameter which is measured on the human body

• US 20100141656A1
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International Ltd.
• Inventors: Krieftewirth, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,279,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/440
• 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

A parameter which is measured continuously in a human body, such as a glucose concentration, is displayed for a patient to understand her current physiological situation and predicted changes and if appropriate that corrective actions. A measured value range for the 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 a current value of the measured parameter and the calculated trend information. Finally, the determined time period is displayed. An apparatus and computer program for carrying this method are also disclosed.

Claims

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

a) subdividing a measured value range for the measured parameter into two or more sub-ranges;

)

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

c) determining a result value, based on a current value of the measured parameter, the calculated trend information and a definable input value, where the result value and the input value are different quantities, one being a time period and one being the sub-range; and

d) displaying the determined 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 claims 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 claims 1, characterized in that the measured value range can be subdivided into sub-ranges by a user.

8. 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, in particular by means of suitable filter algorithms or a first derivative of a function which is matched to the measured values, preferably a spline function.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a function which is higher than the first derivative of the measured value profile, preferably using suitable filter algorithms, or a function which is matched to the data points, preferably a spline function, is included in the trend calculation.

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

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a warning is emitted in particular independently of an active check, at a time before a defined, in particular critical, value of the measured parameter is reached.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that a request for a corrective action is emitted at a time before the defined, in particular, critical, value of the measured parameter is reached.

13. An apparatus for visualization of a parameter which is measured continuously on or in a human body, in particular a glucose concentration, 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 of the measurement apparatus can be subdivided into at least two sub-ranges;

e) the result value can be determined on the basis of a current value of the measured parameter, the calculated trend information and the definable input value, where the result value and the input value are different quantities, one being a time period and one being a determined sub-range; and

f) the determined result value can be output via the display.

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

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an alarm transmitter coupled to the system controller which warns a user before a defined, in particular critical, value of the measured parameter is reached.

16. A computer program product for visualization of a parameter which is measured continuously on or in a human body, in particular a glucose concentration, comprising:

a) data is processed from a measurement, which is carried out continuously on or in a human body, of a parameter, in particular a glucose concentration;

b) a measured value range of the measured parameter is subdivided into sub-ranges;

c) trend information about the future expected profile of the measured parameter is calculated from the measured data;

d) a result value is determined, based on a current value of the measured parameter, the calculated trend information and the definable input value, where the result value and the input value are different quantities, one being a time period and one being a determined sub-range; and

e) the result value is provided as the output.