Glucose measuring device integrated into a holster for a personal area network device

• US 8,029,443 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Goodnow, Timothy T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mallari; Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOTH, KAREN E
• Application Number:
  US12/238,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20090069744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/06 Accessories for medical measuring apparatus
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A glucose meter module integrated into a holster device that can securely accommodate another device such as a portable server device or an insulin pump is described. The glucose measuring module and the health device communicate with each other by a short range wireless modality. In the case in which the accommodated device is a server, such as personal digital assistant or cell phone, the device stores data in a memory, displays data on a visual display, and can wirelessly transmit such data to other devices within a personal area network. In the case where the accommodated device is a cell phone, the phone can further transmit data to remote sites. In the case where the accommodated device is an insulin pump, wirelessly received data are stored in a memory, are available for visual display on the insulin pump, and can be incorporated into the electronic processes that regulate the performance of the pump.

Claims

1. An integrated device, comprising:

a housing having no user interface, the housing including a blood glucose meter and a first data communication unit; and

a medication infusion device including a user interface unit and a second data communication unit, the user interface unit configured to output one or more data associated with a blood glucose level or medication infusion, the second data communication unit configured to communicate with the first data communication unit;

wherein a portion of the housing is configured to contain the medication infusion device when the medication infusion device is detachably coupled to the housing; and

further

wherein the second data communication unit is configured to receive one or more signals associated with a blood sample analyzed by the blood glucose meter only when the medication infusion device is coupled to the housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first data communication unit is configured to transmit to the second data communication unit one or more signals associated with a blood sample analyzed by the blood glucose meter.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing and the medication infusion device form a single portable integrated unit when the housing contains the medication infusion device.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first data communication unit and the second data communication unit are each configured for one or more of infrared communication, radio frequency (RF) communication, Wi-Fi communication, cellular communication, or wired communication.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing portion includes a clasping portion for retaining the medication infusion device when coupled to the housing.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing is displayless.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein calibration information is provided to the blood glucose meter using the user interface unit of the medication infusion device.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the user interface unit of the medication infusion device is configured to control, at least in part, the operation of the blood glucose meter.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to be secured to a belt or an article of clothing of a user.

10. An integrated device, comprising:

a housing having no user interface, the housing including a blood glucose meter and a first data communication unit; and

a medication infusion device including a user interface unit and a second data communication unit, the user interface unit configured to output one or more data associated with a blood glucose level or medication infusion, the second data communication unit configured to communicate with the first data communication unit;

wherein a portion of the housing is configured to contain the medication infusion device when the medication infusion device is detachably coupled to the housing; and

further

wherein calibration information is provided to the blood glucose meter using the user interface unit of the medication infusion device.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the first data communication unit is configured to transmit to the second data communication unit one or more signals associated with a blood sample analyzed by the blood glucose meter.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the second data communication unit is configured receive one or more signals associated with a blood sample analyzed by the blood glucose meter only when the medication infusion device is coupled to the housing.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing and the medication infusion device form a single portable integrated unit when the housing contains the medication infusion device.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the first data communication unit and the second data communication unit are each configured for one or more of infrared communication, radio frequency (RF) communication, Wi-Fi communication, cellular communication, or wired communication.

15. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing portion includes a clasping portion for retaining the medication infusion device when coupled to the housing.

16. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing is displayless.

17. The device of claim 10 wherein the user interface unit of the medication infusion device is configured to control, at least in part, the operation of the blood glucose meter.

18. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing is configured to be secured to a belt or an article of clothing of a user.