Bolus Estimator with Image Capture Device

• US 20100249530A1
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Chen, Eric S., Bryan, Andrew Michael, Rankers, Ulrich
• Application Number:
  US12/606,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20100249530A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing

Abstract

A method of providing bolus dosage recommendations for diabetics includes receiving an image of a meal to be consumed by a user. The image is analyzed to identify at least one food item in the image. A bolus dosage recommendation is calculated based on the identified at least one food item in the image.

Claims

1. A method of providing bolus dosage recommendations for diabetics, comprising:

receiving an image of a meal to be consumed by a user;

analyzing the image to identify at least one food item in the image; and

calculating a bolus dosage recommendation based on the identified at least one food item in the image.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image is captured by a digital camera.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including:

determining a portion size of the at least one food item in the image.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the portion size of the at least one food item in the image is determined by analyzing a reference object of a known size in the image.

5. The method according to claim 1, further including:

determining a carbohydrate value of the identified at least one food item in the image.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the carbohydrate value is obtained from a database.

7. The method according to claim 1, further including:

comparing the image with food images stored in a database to identify the at least one food item.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the food images stored in the database include corresponding known carbohydrate values.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including:

determining at least one of a protein value, a fat value, and a caloric value of the identified at least one food item in the image.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is implemented on a medical system.

11. The method according to claim 1, further including:

receiving a current blood glucose level of the user.

12. A bolus estimator, comprising:

an image capture device to capture an image of a meal to be consumed by a user;

a processor operatively coupled to the image capture device to analyze the image to identify at least one food item in the image, and to calculate a bolus dosage recommendation based on the identified at least one food item in the image; and

a display operatively coupled to the processor to display the bolus dosage recommendation.

13. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the processor further determines a portion size of the at least one food item in the image.

14. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the portion size of the at least one food item in the image is determined by analyzing a reference object of a known size in the image.

15. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the processor further determines a carbohydrate value of the identified at least one food item in the image.

16. The bolus estimator according to claim 15, wherein the carbohydrate value is obtained from a database.

17. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the processor further accesses a database to compare the image with food images stored in the database to identify the at least one food item.

18. The bolus estimator according to claim 17, wherein the food images stored in the database include corresponding known carbohydrate values.

19. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the processor further determines at least one of a protein value, a fat value, and a caloric value of the identified at least one food item in the image.

20. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the bolus estimator is integrated into a controller, an infusion pump, or a blood glucose meter.

21. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the bolus estimator is integrated into a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a portable computer.

22. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, further including:

an input device to receive a current blood glucose level of the user.

23. The bolus estimator according to claim 12, wherein the image capture device is a digital camera.