Sensing system with auxiliary display

Abstract

A system is provided for sensing blood glucose data of a patient. The system includes a sensor, user interface, and an optional auxiliary device. If the connection between the sensor and user interface is by a wire, the sensor remains powered when the wire is disconnected. The communication between the sensor and the user interface may be wireless. The auxiliary device can be a patient monitor or other display or signal device, which displays information about the blood glucose data collected by the sensor. The sensor is connected to sensor electronics, which include a sensor power supply, a voltage regulator, and optionally a memory and processor.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 899,623, filed Jul. 27, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to a sensing system including a physiological characteristic sensor, a user interface, and an auxiliary device. The invention more specifically relates to a blood glucose sensor which remains powered and performs functions when disconnected from communication with the user interface. The auxiliary device may be a display device. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Test strip meters are used to measure the blood glucose level for patients that do not have metabolic control. Frequent measurements are needed to intervene and control glucose levels, but frequently using a test strip meter is labor intensive. For example, in hospitals today, nurses need to take discrete blood glucose measurements from many patients each hour. An automated frequent measur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a sensing system for measuring various physiological characteristics of a patient, such as blood glucose concentration, oxygen, potassium, hydrogen potential, lactate, minerals, analytes, chemicals, proteins, vitamins, and other physical characteristics such as temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, pressure, and the like. The sensing system includes a sensor and a user interface, which can be a handheld device or a patient monitor. The sensor can be a subcutaneous, vascular, or non-invasive sensor, and it can be powered by the user interface or a separate patient monitor. The sensor can have a connector for wired or wireless communication with the user interface and monitor. The sensor electronics can include a power supply, regulator, signal processor, measurement processor, measurement memory, and reference memory. The user interface and sensor electronics can have wireless communication capabilities. The technical effects of the invention include improved accuracy and reliability in measuring physiological characteristics, as well as improved convenience and user experience for patients and healthcare professionals.

Problems solved by technology

Frequent measurements are needed to intervene and control glucose levels, but frequently using a test strip meter is labor intensive.

In some environments, it is inconvenient for a person to wear the sensor and the accompanying electronics or user interface, especially if the electronics are large such as a wall mounted display.

Yet, the patient cannot always remove the sensor as needed or desired, especially if the sensor is difficult to remove or if the sensor is a single use device, which must be replaced with a new sensor each time it is removed.

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