Patent Application
20050260769
The present invention relates to a handheld medical logging apparatus and a method for recording and logging data related to a person's blood glucose level, wherein the apparatus comprises measuring means adapted to measure a glucose level in a blood sample.
A person having diabetes has a shortage of insulin resulting in reduced regulation of glucose in blood. If the blood glucose level becomes too high or too low, it could have severe consequences for the diabetic. The diabetic will therefore need continuous supply of insulin in order to treat the disease.
The diabetic normally performs the administration of insulin himself. Thus, his daily life is minimally affected. The diabetic will naturally need instructions on how to perform the self-treatment. These instructions are based on advice from a physician. However, in order to give appropriate advice, the physician will need to know how the glucose level of the diabetic normally varies. Therefore, the diabetic will need to regularly perform tests and create a log of his glucose level.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,974 discloses a master computer, in which a treatment programme is created, and a recorder, which may be connected to the master computer for receiving the programme. The recorder prompts the patient to perform the actions according to the programme. The patient will then record the performed actions, including testing the blood glucose, in the recorder for review by the physician to adjust the programme. The patient must submit to the instructions of the programme requiring e.g. meals on specific times. The programme has no flexibility and does not allow the patient to vary from the strict programme of leading his lifestyle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,726 provides a glucose monitor, which in connection with the patient making a blood glucose test prompts the patient to enter information related to the blood glucose level. Thus, the patient is requested to indicate events, such as exercise, emotional stress, illness and dietary intake, occurring since the last test. This implies that the patient needs to respond to several questions each time a blood glucose test is taken. This is time-consuming and could cause irritation, since the patient will need to respond to these questions several times a day. Moreover, the further information is merely stored in connection with the blood measurement and does therefore not indicate the specific time of occurrence of the events.
It is an object of the invention to provide a diabetic with a simple way of recording glucose values and events affecting the values.
It is a further object to provide possibility to record relevant data such that an appropriate treatment programme may be created based on the lifestyle of the patient.
These objects of the invention are achieved by a handheld medical logging apparatus according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 8.
Thus, a handheld medical logging apparatus for recording and logging data related to a person's blood glucose level is provided. The apparatus comprises measuring means adapted to measure a glucose level in a blood sample. The apparatus further comprises one or more buttons, control circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more buttons and adapted to, in response to an activation of a specific button amongst the one or more buttons, directly enter an event logging mode, in which mode an occurrence of one or more events from a set of events may be recorded in the apparatus. Each of said events may affect the blood glucose level and is represented by a predetermined code. The control circuitry is, in the event logging mode, adapted to interpret one or more activations of the one or more buttons as the code representing an event and create a signal indicative of the occurred event. The apparatus further comprises a memory operatively coupled to the control circuitry and adapted to receive the signal and, in response thereof, record the occurrence of the event represented by the code.
Further, there is provided a method for recording and logging data related to a person's blood glucose level in a handheld medical logging apparatus comprising one or more buttons and a measuring means adapted to measure a glucose level in a blood sample. The method comprises receiving an indication in the apparatus that a specific button among the one or more buttons has been activated, and in direct response to the received indication, the apparatus entering an event logging mode, wherein an occurrence of one or more events from a set of events may be recorded in the apparatus, each of said events may affect the blood glucose level and is represented by a predetermined code. The method further comprises, in the event logging mode, receiving in the apparatus one or more button activations specifying one of the codes representing an event, wherein the occurrence of said event is recorded in the apparatus.
The invention provides a possibility to record data in a simple way. A diabetic, who needs to record events affecting the blood glucose level several times a day, will greatly benefit from a simple way of recording events. The recording of events is very simple, since the user, which is normally the diabetic, may directly reach an event logging mode by activating a specific button. Further, the event is recorded by entering a code. Thus, the user may instantly enter the code representing the occurred event and will not need to respond to any questions from the apparatus. Further, the apparatus enables registration of a vast amount of different events, since they are each represented by a code. The number of different events allowed may then be determined by e.g. the number of bits used for storing the code in the memory, and not by the interface of the apparatus or the requests made by the apparatus.
Further, the recording of an event may be user-initiated. The user may bring the apparatus to enter the event logging mode and thereby initiate the possibility to record an event. This implies that the user may actually force the logging of an event exactly when it happens. He will not have to wait until the logging apparatus requests information about events to record an event which may have occurred several hours ago. Moreover, the diabetic may deviate from his normal routines and record the events and thereafter study the effect of the deviations. Thus, the need for creating a log of events does not restrict the diabetic in how to lead his life. Instead, it is possible to analyse the effects of deviations from normal routines and thus to improve the way of treating the diabetes.
The fact that the events are simple to record makes the diabetic more willing to use the apparatus. Therefore, the log will be more correct, since all relevant events will be logged. The log may thus be used to bring knowledge both to the diabetic and the physician on how to treat the disease and how the lifestyle of the diabetic affects the disease. This increases the possibility of giving good instructions on how to treat the diabetes, since the physician will have thorough data on which to base his instructions.
Since the apparatus is handheld, it may easily be carried along at all times by the diabetic. This also increases the possibility of creating a correct log.
Further, since the apparatus comprises a measuring means, the measured glucose level may be transferred to and recorded in the memory and thus be added to the log. Since the diabetic may measure the glucose level using the logging apparatus, he will not need to carry two separate devices with him at all times.
In the context of this application, the term “in direct response” should be construed as meaning that the apparatus will perform the response without a user needing to take any further action. The response may not be achieved instantly. However, even the response occurs a while after the activation, it will be a direct response if it is not dependent on any further action from the user.
The measuring means may be adapted to measure a glucose level in whole blood, in blood plasma or serum or in water phase of blood. The apparatus may use any method of measuring glucose levels in blood. The measured glucose level may depend on the measurement method, but as long as the measurement method is known, the information extractable from the log of glucose levels is not affected by the measurement method used.
The control circuitry may further be adapted to, in response to an activation of a specific button amongst the one or more buttons, directly enter an insulin dose logging mode, in which mode an administered insulin dose may be recorded in the apparatus. The treatment of diabetes is performed by administering insulin. Thus, recording the administered insulin dose is important in order to allow follow-up of the treatment. Therefore, there is provided a specific button for entering the insulin dose logging mode allowing simple and direct access to this mode. Since the user will need to record the administered insulin dose several times a day, the simple access to the insulin dose logging mode makes the apparatus more user-friendly.
The set of events may e.g. include dietary intake and exercise. The set may also include other events, such as the diabetic having a fever or being at a party (staying up late). The most common and important events affecting the blood glucose level may have predefined codes. Further, there may be provided predetermined codes, for which the user may define himself what event they are to represent. The user may define the event to be represented by a code prior to, or after, having recorded the occurrence of the event by means of the code in the apparatus. Thus, the codes which are to be used for representing events are predetermined, but the events which they represent need not be predefined.
The apparatus may further comprise a connector unit for enabling connection of the apparatus to a computer. Thus, the log recorded in the apparatus may be transferred to the computer for facilitating presentation of the log in a clear manner. This makes analysis of the log simpler and further provides a suitable tool for a physician to teach a diabetic how the lifestyle affects his well-being.
The application will now by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
The medical logging apparatus 1 is used by the user for logging any events affecting the blood glucose level of the user. Thus, the medical logging apparatus 1 provides a possibility to measure the glucose level for logging the glucose level at a certain point of time, to record an administered insulin dose, and to record any other event that affects the blood glucose level. This implies that the user will be able to create a complete log of the variations of the glucose level and the events affecting the blood glucose level using merely a palm-sized apparatus.
The three different functions of the apparatus 1 are easily accessed. The apparatus comprises three buttons 2, 4, 6 for activating the three different functions. Thus, each function or operating mode may be initiated by activating the specific button 2, 4, 6. This implies that the operating mode is directly accessed, which makes the apparatus 1 very easy to use. This also provides the possibility to separately log a measured glucose level, an administered insulin dose and any other event affecting the blood glucose level. The user may thereby record the event when it actually occurred without needing to input any other information. Thus, upon activation from the user, the apparatus 1 enters a mode which is dedicated to performing the specific function requested by the user.
The function buttons 2, 4, 6 preferably each constitute a start-up button of the apparatus 1, starting up the apparatus 1 in the corresponding mode. However, the apparatus 1 may also include a separate start-up button. In this case, the function buttons 2, 4, 6 may merely initiate the apparatus 1 entering a specific mode.
The apparatus 1 comprises a first button 2 for bringing the apparatus 1 to enter the glucose level measurement mode. The apparatus 1 further comprises a second button 4 for bringing the apparatus 1 to enter an insulin dose logging mode. The apparatus 1 further comprises a third button 6 for bringing the apparatus 1 to enter an event logging mode.
The apparatus 1 has an outer shell 8, which protects inner, sensitive parts of the apparatus 1. The shell 8 has openings for the buttons 2, 4, 6 and for a display 10.
Referring now to
The cuvette holder 14 is hingedly connected to the shell 8 of the apparatus 1 and is rotatably moveable between two positions. In a first cuvette receiving position, the cuvette holder 14 protrudes from the shell 8. In a second measuring position, the cuvette holder 14 is inserted into the shell 8 of the apparatus 1. The cuvette holder 14 then positions the cuvette with the blood sample correctly for the measurement.
The cuvette holds a reagent which interacts with the blood. The blood glucose and the reagent will form a colour which is dependent on the blood glucose level. The measuring means 12 is arranged to analyse the colour of the blood sample in order to determine the blood glucose level. Thus, the measuring means 12 further comprises a light source and a detector (not shown). The blood sample is irradiated by light from the light source and the detector detects light that has interacted with the blood sample. In this way, the colour of the blood sample may be determined and, thus, the blood glucose level in the blood sample is measured. The detector is connected to an analyzing unit (not shown), which analyses the detected light and calculates the blood glucose level. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,047, a measuring means which may be used in the apparatus 1 of the present invention is described in further detail.
The measuring means described above is adapted to measure a glucose level in whole blood. However, the apparatus 1 may instead comprise any other conventional measuring means adapted to measure a glucose level in blood plasma or serum or in water phase of blood. The measuring means may thus comprise a biosensor system, an electrochemical measuring system or a photometric measuring system for measuring the glucose level. Where the measuring means is adapted to determine a glucose level in blood plasma or serum or in water phase of blood, the actual “blood glucose level”, i.e. the glucose level in whole blood, is not determined, but instead a value reflecting the blood glucose level is determined.
It will be apparent to a skilled person that the measuring means may be modified in a number of different ways, while still allowing a value reflecting the blood glucose level to be determined.
Moreover, the apparatus 1 comprises control circuitry 16 which controls the functionality of the apparatus 1. The control circuitry 16 is operatively connected to and receives information of activations from the buttons 2, 4, 6. The control circuitry 16 processes the activations to bring the apparatus 1 into the corresponding mode. The control circuitry 16 then outputs to the display 10 a proper user interface for the selected mode. Further, the control circuitry 16 is, in a specific mode, arranged to interpret further button activations according to a specific scheme for the specific mode, as will be explained in further detail below.
The control circuitry 16 comprises a processor for handling the communication with other units of the apparatus 1. The control circuitry 16 further comprises a clock. The control circuitry 16 uses the clock to time and date stamp inputted data.
Thus, when an event has been inputted in the proper mode, the control circuitry 16 adds a time and date stamp to the event and transmits a signal to a memory 20 for storing the recording of the event.
Further, the apparatus 1 comprises a connection unit 22 for connecting the apparatus 1 to an external data processing unit, such as a personal computer, a mobile telephone or a personal digital assistant. The connection unit may comprise a USB-(Universal Serial Bus) port or any other means for establishing data transmission, such as a modem, an infrared transmitter/receiver, radio frequency transmitter/receiver using e.g. Bluetooth®, a network interface card for connection to a computer network, a cable, etc. This provides a possibility to transfer data from the apparatus 1 to the external data processing unit, which may be used for viewing the logged data.
Referring now to
Now, the cuvette holder 14 is to be extended by the user into the cuvette insertion position as shown in
The control circuitry 16 receives the measured glucose level from the measuring means 12. The control circuitry 16 adds a time stamp to the glucose level and sends a data package containing the glucose level and the date and time of the measurement to the memory 20 where the measurement is stored. The cuvette may now be withdrawn from the cuvette holder 14 and the apparatus be shut off.
Referring now to
The codes representing predetermined events may, for example, be as follows:
The user may add events by defining the events represented by codes of higher numbers. The way of defining the event a code represents will be described below.
When the user starts the apparatus 1 in the event logging mode, a note book symbol 24 is shown to indicate to the user that the apparatus has entered the event logging mode. A flashing code is shown on the display. The user may step forward to the correct code by repeatedly pushing the third button 6 or by keeping it pressed down. The code displayed may be decreased by pushing the second button 4 in similar manner. When the correct code is shown, the user confirms it by pushing the first button 2. The control circuitry 16 then sends the code with time stamp to the memory 20 for storing the occurred event. The apparatus 1 may now be shut off by keeping the first button 2 pressed down for a short while.
Referring to
Referring now to
The control circuitry receives in the event logging mode button activations made by the user, step 104. The button activations are interpreted by the control circuitry for determining an entered code representing an event. An activation of the second button is interpreted as decreasing the code number and an activation of the third button is interpreted as increasing the code number. The control circuitry continuously updates the display to indicate to the user which code that will be entered. When the control circuitry receives activation of the first button, the control circuitry determines the entered code to be the currently displayed code.
The control circuitry then time and date stamps the entered code, step 106. The entered code representing the occurred event is then recorded with the time and date stamp in the memory, step 108.
Referring to
The recordings in the memory 20 of the apparatus 1 are transferred to the computer by connecting the apparatus 1 to the computer via the connection unit 22. This may, as explained above, be accomplished by means of a USB-cable or by other means, such as Bluetooth, infrared radiation, etc. The computer comprises an application program for handling the log.
The application program displays a chart 30 of the variation of the glucose level over time. The time period of the chart 30 may e.g. be chosen as 24 hours, one week, one month or three months or over the entire period of the log. The time period may be quickly changed by clicking the appropriate time period button 32. The chart 30 displays an upper and a lower limit, between which the glucose level should be. The upper and lower limits may be user-defined, i.e. defined by the diabetic or the physician. The times when the glucose level has been too high or too low may now easily be identified.
The administered insulin dose may be shown in a further chart 34, which is displayed with the same time axis as the glucose level chart 30. Thus, the glucose level may easily be related to the dosage scheme. Further, in the glucose level chart 30, the occurrence of an event may be indicated at the appropriate time. Thus, the glucose level may easily be related to a certain event. This implies that the effects of the different occurrences of events and the administered insulin dose may be easily viewed. The physician may therefore use the tool to analyse how the treatment of diabetes should be altered and to teach the patient what amendments to the lifestyle should be made.
There is a possibility to choose which glucose levels are to be displayed. Thus, the glucose level in relation to a specific event may be shown. In this way, the glucose level at, for instance, breakfast may be viewed. This provides analysis of the effect of a specific event, since the glucose level related to the specific event may be isolated and several such level values may be viewed to find a pattern of too high or too low glucose level.
It should be emphasized that the preferred embodiment described herein is in no way limiting and that many alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, the apparatus is described providing all user interaction by means of three buttons. The three buttons providing direct access to the different modes contributes to the simplicity of using the apparatus. However, the functions of entering a code or an insulin dose may be provided by further buttons.
The entering of a code in the event logging mode may be varied in a great number of ways. The code could e.g. be entered by using only one button. The code number is increased by activating the button. When the correct code is displayed, the button is kept pressed down for a while to indicate that this code is to be recorded. According to another alternative, a few codes may be displayed simultaneously. Then, the user may record the correct code by activating a button corresponding to, for example by being placed directly below the displayed code, one of the displayed codes. There may further be provided a button for requesting further codes.to be displayed. In this manner, the size of the display and the number of buttons will not limit the number of available events to be recorded.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0401337-1 | May 2004 | SE | national |
