Method and Apparatus for Providing Rechargeable Power in Data Monitoring and Management Systems

• US 20100274108A1
• Filed: 07/10/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reggiardo, Christopher V., Fennell, Martin J.
• Application Number:
  US12/833,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20100274108A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a disposable power supply source integrated into the housing of the transmitter unit mount that is placed on the skin of the patient, and configured to receive the transmitter unit is disclosed. The transmitter unit mount is configured to be disposable with the analyte sensor so that power supply providing power to the transmitter unit is also replaced. The transmitter unit may include a rechargeable battery that is recharged by the power supply unit of the transmitter unit mount when the transmitter is mounted to the transmitter unit mount. Other energy store configurations including single large capacitor (supercap) or a capacitor and DC/DC converter configurations are disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a transmitter including an analog front end, a processor, a first power supply configured to provide an operational voltage level to the analog front end, and a single large capacitor, wherein the first power supply is coupled to a boost circuit, and wherein the single large capacitor is coupled in parallel with the first power supply; and

a transmitter mount configured to receive the transmitter and including a second power supply configured to provide a supply voltage level to the first power supply of the transmitter to charge the first power supply of the transmitter when the transmitter is received by the transmitter mount;

wherein the boost circuit is configured to convert the supply voltage level received from the second power supply to the operational voltage level and wherein the single large capacitor is configured to store the operational voltage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second power supply has a high current capacity relative to that of the first power supply.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a replaceable sensor configured to electrically couple with the analog front end of the transmitter.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second power supply of the transmitter mount is configured to be replaced upon replacement of the sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sensor includes a transcutaneous insertion portion adapted for transcutaneous positioning under a skin surface of a patient.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the sensor is an analyte sensor configured to generate multiple analyte-related signals and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit one or more signals corresponding to a respective one or more of the multiple analyte-related signals.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first power supply is a rechargeable battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second power supply is a replaceable battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first power supply is a rechargeable battery, and further, wherein the second power supply is a replaceable battery.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a transmitter including an analog front end, a processor and an internal power supply configured to provide a first operational voltage level to the analog front end, the internal power supply including a rechargeable battery coupled to a power circuit including a first DC/DC converter operatively coupled to a first capacitor, a second DC/DC converter operatively coupled to a second capacitor, and a third DC/DC converter operatively coupled to a third capacitor; and

a transmitter mount configured to receive the transmitter and including a replaceable power supply configured to provide a supply voltage level to the internal power supply of the transmitter to charge the rechargeable battery of the transmitter when the transmitter is received by the transmitter mount;

wherein the first DC/DC converter is configured to convert the supply voltage level received from the replaceable power supply to the first operational voltage level and wherein the first capacitor is configured to store the first operational voltage;

wherein the second DC/DC converter is configured to convert the first operational voltage to a predetermined voltage level and wherein the second capacitor is configured to store the predetermined voltage level; and

wherein the third DC/DC converter is configured to convert the predetermined voltage level to a second operational voltage level that is provided to the processor when the processor is performing an RF transmission.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second operation voltage level and the first operational voltage level are different.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second DC/DC converter uses voltage stored in at least one of the first capacitor and the rechargeable battery to convert the first operational voltage to the predetermined voltage level.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first operational voltage level is greater than the supply voltage level.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first operational voltage level is about twice as great as the supply voltage level.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the predetermined voltage level is greater than the first operational voltage level.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the predetermined voltage level is about 10 times as great as the first operational voltage level.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second operational voltage level is less than the predetermined voltage level.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a replaceable sensor configured to electrically couple with the analog front end of the transmitter.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the replaceable power supply of the transmitter mount is configured to be replaced upon replacement of the sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sensor includes a transcutaneous insertion portion adapted for transcutaneous positioning under a skin surface of a patient.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the sensor is an analyte sensor configured to generate multiple analyte-related signals and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit one or more signals corresponding to a respective one or more of the multiple analyte-related signals.