Capacitance-based dose measurements in syringes
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for capacitively measuring and electronically recording a dose from a syringe, comprising:
- a) a holder for receiving and holding said syringe in a measurement position;
b) at least one capacitor electrode positioned on said holder such that a capacitive response generated through said electrode is indicative of said dose when said syringe is in said measurement position;
c) a measuring device in communication with said capacitive element, for measuring said capacitive response; and
d) a recording device in communication with said measuring device, for recording a dose datum indicative of said capacitive response, whereby said dose datum is indicative of said dose.
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Abstract
Measurements of insulin quantities in a syringe are performed capacitively in an integrated insulin dose recorder/blood glucose meter. The syringe is placed in a holder before and after the administration of the dose. Capacitor electrodes may be situated within the syringe and/or outside the syringe in various geometries. Liquid quantities in the syringe are determined by comparing capacitive response patterns of the syringe with calibration data stored in the device. Dose histories are downloaded to a patient computer for transfer to a clinician'"'"'s computer. Standard or customized syringes may be used.
434 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for capacitively measuring and electronically recording a dose from a syringe, comprising:
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a) a holder for receiving and holding said syringe in a measurement position; b) at least one capacitor electrode positioned on said holder such that a capacitive response generated through said electrode is indicative of said dose when said syringe is in said measurement position; c) a measuring device in communication with said capacitive element, for measuring said capacitive response; and d) a recording device in communication with said measuring device, for recording a dose datum indicative of said capacitive response, whereby said dose datum is indicative of said dose. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A diabetes monitoring and insulin recording apparatus for recording an insulin dose from a syringe, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a holder for receiving and holding said syringe containing insulin in a measurement position; b) a capacitive element positioned on said holder such that a capacitive response of said capacitive element is indicative of said insulin dose when said syringe is in said measurement position; c) a measuring device in communication with said capacitive element, for measuring said capacitive response; d) a computing device in communication with said measuring device, for computing from said capacitive response a dose datum indicative of said insulin dose; e) a blood glucose meter for determining a blood glucose datum indicative of a blood glucose level; and f) a recording device in communication with said computing device and said blood glucose meter, for recording said dose datum and said blood glucose datum. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for capacitively measuring and electronically recording a dose, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a syringe comprising an input terminal, and output terminal and a capacitive element for generating a capacitive response indicative said dose; b) a housing enclosing a measuring device and a recording device; and c) a field coupled to said housing, comprising; an input contact for contacting said input terminal of said syringe when said syringe is in a measurement position, and an output contact for contacting said output terminal of said syringe when said syringe is in said measurement position;
whereinsaid input terminal and said output terminal are connected to said capacitive element, said input contact and said output contact are connected to said measuring device such that said measurement device is capable of measuring said capacitive response when said input terminal contacts said input contact and said output terminal contacts said output contact, and said recording device is connected to said measuring device, for recording a dose datum indicative of said capacitive response, whereby said dose datum is indicative of said dose.
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22. A method of calibrating an apparatus for capacitively measuring and electronically recording a dose delivered using a syringe, comprising the steps of:
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a) placing a syringe in a holder; b) measuring a plurality of capacitive responses of a capacitive element mechanically coupled to said holder and capacitively coupled to said syringe, wherein each of said plurality of capacitive responses is indicative of a distinct predetermined liquid quantity in said syringe, and said plurality of capacitive responses correspond to a range of potential liquid quantities in said syringe; and c) recording calibration data indicative of said plurality of capacitive responses, whereby said calibration data establishes a correspondence between said plurality of capacitive responses and liquid quantities within said range of potential liquid quantities in said syringe.
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23. An apparatus for capacitively measuring and electronically recording a dose, comprising:
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a) a syringe with a compartment for holding a volume of medication and a first capacitor electrode capable of establishing contact with said volume of medication; b) a holder with a second capacitor electrode on said holder, said holder for receiving and holding said syringe in a measurement position wherein said first capacitor electrode, said second capacitor electrode and said volume of medication generate a capacitive response indicative said dose; c) a measuring device in communication first capacitor electrode and second capacitor electrode for generated a measurement of said capacitive response; and d) a recording device in communication with said measuring device, for recording a dose datum indicative of said measurement of said capacitive response, whereby said dose datum is indicative of said dose. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification