Signal processing for measurement of physiological analytes

Abstract

A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 384,443, filed Mar. 7, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 894,783, filed Feb. 27, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,919, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 309,728, filed May 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,471, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 085,344, filed May 13, 1998, and which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates generally to methods for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for processing signals obtained during measurement of physiological analytes. One important application of the invention involves a method for monitoring blood glucose concentrati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for continually or continuously measuring an analyte present in a biological system, wherein raw signals are obtained from a suitable sensing apparatus, and then subjected to signal processing is techniques. More particularly, the raw signals undergo a data screening method in order to eliminate outlier signals and/or poor (incorrect) signals using a predefined set of selection criteria. In addition, or alternatively, the raw signal can be converted in a conversion step which (i) removes or corrects for background information, (ii) integrates the raw signal over a sensing time period, (iii) performs any process which converts the raw signal from one signal type to another, or (iv) performs any combination of steps (i), (ii) and/or (iii). In preferred embodiments, the conversion step entails a baseline background subtraction

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, improper administration of insulin therapy can result in hypoglycemic episodes, which can cause coma and death.

However, the pain and inconvenience associated with this blood sampling, along with the fear of hypoglycemia, has led to poor patient compliance, despite strong evidence that tight control dramatically reduces long-term diabetic complications.

In fact, these considerations can often lead to an abatement of the monitoring process by the diabetic.

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