Analyte test instrument system including data management system

• US 7,077,328 B2
• Filed: 07/29/1999
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Krishnaswamy, Sarath, Guiney, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• APPLICATION: US 20020060247A1
• Time in patent office: 2546 Days
• Field of Search: 235/742.01, 235/438, 235/462.45, 235/462.47, 235/472.01, 600/300, 600/316, 600/319, 600/320, 600/322, 600/347
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0295 Strip shaped analyte sensors for apparatus classified in A61B5/145 or A61B5/157 disposable multilayered or laminated electrodes G01N27/307; details of handling chemical test elements G01N33/4875
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00108 Test strips, e.g. paper
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00881 network configurations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method of managing data for a plurality of analyte test instruments connected to a data communication network. The method comprises the steps of: detecting via a host computer the connection of each instrument to the data communication network; uploading data received from each instrument to the host computer; processing the uploaded data on the host computer for operator review; and downloading configuration data from the host computer to each test instrument, the downloaded data comprising instrument-specific setup and control data. The invention further involves a hand-held analyte test instrument and a docking station for the test instrument.

Claims

1. A hand-held analyte test instrument comprising:

a housing;

a barcode reader disposed in the housing for scanning a barcode associated with a test strip configured to receive an analyte;

a user interface for activating said barcode reader, said user interface further comprising a numeric keypad and function buttons, said numeric keypad and function buttons for carrying out the functions of activating/deactivating power, selecting test or menu modes, editing entries, terminating entries, and activating said barcode reader as a substitute for manual numeric entry;

a port disposed in the housing for receiving the test strip;

electronic circuitry in electrical communication with the port for processing an analyte signal received from the test strip and generating analyte data therefrom;

a display in electrical communication with the circuitry for displaying certain analyte data; and

a connector in electrical communication with the circuitry and electrically connectable to a host computer via a data communications network, wherein the circuitry automatically uploads the analyte data to the host computer upon connection thereto.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said user interface is further allowing an operator to enter data.

3. A hand-held analyte test instrument comprising:

a housing;

a port disposed in the housing for receiving a test strip configured to receive an analyte;

a barcode reader disposed in the housing for scanning a barcode associated with a test strip configured to receive an analyte;

a user interface for allowing an operator to enter data, said user interface comprising a numeric keypad and function buttons, said numeric keypad and function buttons for carrying out the functions of activating/deactivating power, selecting test or menu modes, editing entries, terminating entries, and activating a barcode reader as a substitute for manual numeric entry;

electronic circuitry in electrical communication with the port for processing an analyte signal received from the test strip and generating analyte data therefrom;

a display in electrical communication with the circuitry for displaying certain analyte data;

a connector in electrical communication with the circuitry and electrically connectable to a power source;

a battery compartment formed in the housing and comprising a pair of electrical contacts for providing power from a battery to the electronic circuitry and a pair of recharge contacts; and

a rechargeable battery pack disposed in the battery compartment and comprising (1) a rechargeable battery and (2) a battery holder in which the rechargeable battery is disposed, a bus bar disposed on the battery holder and in electrical communication with the pair of recharge contacts for recharging the battery when the instrument is connected to the power source.

4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein said barcode reader is activated by said user interface.

5. A docking station for receiving a hand-held analyte test instrument, the docking station comprising:

a connector electrically connectable to the instrument for receiving analyte data therefrom;

a switch in electrical communication with the connector;

a first data port in electrical communication with the switch and being electrically connectable to a computer;

a second data port in electrical communication with the switch and being electrically connectable to a peripheral device; and

a control mechanism for controlling the switch to selectively pass the analyte data to the computer via the first data port or to the peripheral device via the second data port;

said docking station being configured to pass data between said analyte test instrument and said first data port when said docking station is in a default condition, and

circuitry to prevent overcharging.