Methods and systems for observing sensor parameters

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein provides methods and materials for observing the state of a sensor, for example those used by diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose levels. Typically a voltage such as a voltage pulse is applied to the sensor in order to solicit a current response from which for example, factors such as impedance values can be derived. Such values can then be used as indicators of a sensor's state, for example the state of sensor hydration, sensor noise, sensor offset, sensor drift or the like.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 322,977; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 323,242; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 842,825; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 980,149; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 323,216; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 633,254, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 184,046, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Embodiments of this invention provide methods and systems for determining the state of sensors, for example the sufficiency of hydration of a glucose sensor during its initial use.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0003]In many medical conditions medical personnel gain valuable information by monitoring the readings of physiological conditions within a patient's body. For example, many patients suffering from diabetes typically monitor their blood glucose levels on a continuing basis. Typically, diabetics can measure ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include methods and materials for observing and characterizing the state of a sensor for example a glucose sensor used by a diabetic patient. Illustrative embodiments of the invention include a sensor system having a plurality of electrodes and a sensor electronics device which includes a conn

Problems solved by technology

This is an inconvenience for the patient and in some cases may cause the patient not to utilize a continuous glucose measurement system.

Further, when a sensor such as a glucose sensor is implanted in a patient, started up and then used to monitor glucose, the glucose sensor may not operate in a stable state.

For example, the electrical readings from the sensor, which optimally are directly correlated to the glucose level of the patient, can nonetheless vary and are subject to factors which confound sensor readings, for example erroneous reading that can result from phenomena such as sensor dehydration, sensor noise, sensor drift and the like.

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