BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL MONITORING-ALARM SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR

• US 3,837,339 A
• Filed: 02/03/1972
• Issued: 09/24/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: A S Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kuo Wei Chang, Sol Aisenberg
• Inventors: Chang, Kuo Wei, Aisenberg, Sol
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/223,077
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2E,2P,2G,2R,2.5A,2.5M,2.5R,2.1A,2.1E,2.1R,213,419B,419R 136/86DD,86F,2.6A,2.6E,2.6R 204/195B 23/258.5
• US Class Current: 604/504
• 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 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/08 Fuel cells with aqueous electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring blood glucose levels. In the preferred embodiment a glucose diffusion-limited fuel cell is implanted in a living body. The output current of the fuel cell is proportional to the glucose concentration of the body fluid electrolyte and is therefore directly indicative of the blood glucose level. This information is telemetered to an external receiver which generates an alarm signal whenever the fuel cell output current exceeds or falls below a predetermined current magnitude which represents a normal blood glucose level. Valve means are actuated in response to the telemetered information to supply glucose or insulin to the monitored living body.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring blood glucose levels comprising the steps of:

1. exposing a glucose diffusion-limited fuel cell to the body fluid of a living body;

2. converting the output current generated by said fuel cell into an electrical signal having a characteristic which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the output current, said output current magnitude being proportional to the blood glucose level in said living body;

3. detecting when said electrical signal characteristic departs from a predetermined condition; and

, 4. actuating an alarm signal whenever said electrical signal characteristic departs from said predetermined condition.

2. converting the output current generated by said fuel cell into an electrical signal having a characteristic which varies in accordance with the magnitude of the output current, said output current magnitude being proportional to the blood glucose level in said living body;

and,

3. monitoring said electrical signal characteristic.

4. An in vivo blood glucose level monitoring system comprising:

5. first fluid valve means responsive to said glucose valve actuation signal for supplying glucose to the body;

6. An in vivo blood glucose level monitoring system comprising:

7. a source of glucose fluidly coupled to said first fluid valve means;

and,

8. An in vivo blood glucose detecting system comprising:

9. A method for producing an electrical signal representation of blood glucose levels comprising the steps of:

10. A method for monitoring blood glucose levels comprising the steps of:

11. A blood glucose level monitoring system comprising: