Preparation method for the analytical determination of an analyte in a body fluid - Patents.com

JP7634535B2Active Publication Date: 2025-02-21F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022527841
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2020-01-22
Filing Date
2020-11-10
Publication Date
2025-02-21
Estimated Expiration
2040-11-10

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007634535000001
    Figure 0007634535000001
  • Figure 0007634535000002
    Figure 0007634535000002
  • Figure 0007634535000003
    Figure 0007634535000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A calibration method (122) for calibrating measurement settings for an analytical method (120) for determining the concentration of an analyte in a bodily fluid is disclosed, the calibration method (122) comprising using a mobile device (112) having a camera (116), the analytical method (120) further comprising capturing at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134) by using the camera (116), the analytical method (120) further comprising determining at least one analyte concentration value from a color development of the test field (134), and the calibration method (122) comprises: i) performing a plurality of analyte measurements by a plurality of users (114), the analyte measurements being at least partially based on a color development of the test field (134); and performing a plurality of analyte measurements, ii) capturing an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134) by using a camera (116) to thereby obtain training data for the analyte measurements, ii) analyzing the training data obtained in step i) (136), thereby identifying similarities in the training data and identifying a plurality of user profiles according to the similarities in the training data, and iii) providing profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for at least one of the user profiles. Further disclosed are an analysis method (120), an adjustment system (110), and a mobile device (112).
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to an adjustment method for adjusting measurement settings for an analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, as well as to an adjustment system. The invention further relates to an analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, as well as to a mobile device configured to perform the analytical method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program and a computer readable storage medium for performing the analytical method, as well as a computer program and a computer readable storage medium for performing the adjustment method. The method, the device, the computer program and the storage medium can be used in medical diagnostics, in particular for the qualitative or quantitative detection of one or more analytes in one or more body fluids, such as for example for detecting glucose in blood and / or interstitial fluid. However, other fields of application of the invention are possible. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of medical diagnostics, it is often necessary to detect one or more analytes from a sample of a body fluid, such as blood, interstitial fluid, urine, saliva, or other types of body fluids. Examples of analytes to be detected are glucose, triglycerides, lactate, cholesterol, or other types of analytes that are normally present in these body fluids. Depending on the concentration and / or presence of the analytes, appropriate treatments can be selected as required. Without narrowing the scope, the present invention can be specifically described with respect to blood glucose measurements. However, it should be noted that the present invention can also be used for other types of analytical measurements using test elements.

[0003] Generally, devices and methods known to those skilled in the art utilize a test element containing one or more test chemicals, which in the presence of an analyte to be detected, can perform one or more detectable detection reactions, such as optically detectable detection reactions. By way of example, EP 0 821 234 A1 describes a diagnostic test carrier for determining an analyte from whole blood using a reagent system contained in the carrier, and a method for determining an analyte from whole blood using the diagnostic test carrier. The diagnostic test carrier includes a chromogenic reagent. The test field has a sample application side, where the blood sample is delivered, and a detection side, where an optically detectable change occurs as a result of the reaction of the analyte with the reagent system. Furthermore, the test field is designed such that red blood cells contained in the sample do not reach the detection side. Furthermore, the test field includes a transparent film and first and second overlapping film layers applied to the transparent film, the first layer on the transparent film having substantially less light scattering in a wet state than the overlying second layer.

[0004] Regarding the test chemicals contained in the test elements, reference can be made, for example, to J. Hoenes et al.: The Technology Behind Glucose Meters: Test Strips, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, Volume 10, Supplement 1, 2008, S-10 to S-26. Other types of test chemicals are possible and can be used to implement the present invention.

[0005] In analytical measurements, especially those based on color reactions, one technical challenge is the evaluation of the color change resulting from the detection reaction. In addition to using dedicated analytical devices such as handheld blood glucose meters, the use of commonly available electronic devices such as smartphones and portable computers has become increasingly common in recent years. WO 2012 / 131386 discloses a test device for performing an assay, comprising a container containing a reagent that reacts to an applied test sample by developing a color or pattern change, and a portable device, such as a mobile phone or laptop, with a processor and an image capture device, the processor configured to process the data captured by the image capture device and output a test result of the applied test sample.

[0006] In contrast to laboratory measurements and measurements performed by using dedicated analytical measurement devices, various influences must be considered when using mobile computing devices such as smartphones. Many product care activities, such as improving the measurement flow, improving customer guidance, designing and optimizing fail-safe algorithms, or optimizing measurement performance, are often based on either extensive market research or complaint devices returning from the market. However, extensive market research is expensive and may not be offered continuously. Furthermore, it may be preferable to pre-optimize measurement algorithms and settings before receiving customer complaints.

[0007] In the field of mobile computing device technology, various technical approaches have been developed in recent years to improve image recognition and, for example, to obtain additional information regarding unknown geometric parameters of a setting.

[0008] US9750433 discloses a method for communicating activity-related notifications to a user, which includes receiving a record of activity events of a particular activity type performed by a user over a period of time, selecting a first time-based filter from a set of time-based filters, identifying a cluster of activity events in the record of activity events filtered according to the first time-based filter, identifying early and late boundaries in start times of the activity events of the particular activity type from the cluster, communicating a first type of notification to the user at a first time within a threshold time of the early boundary of a day that satisfies the first time-based filter, and communicating a second type of notification to the user at a second time within a threshold time of the late boundary of a day that satisfies the first time-based filter.

[0009] US Patent No. 10347152 discloses a health and fitness management system that uses an algorithm to determine recommended actions to be recommended to a user to improve health and fitness. The system obtains the user's weight from a scale. The user is not informed of the weight. Other data can be collected and included when calculating the health index number. Baseline data such as age, ideal age, initial weight, current weight, ideal weight, etc. can be considered in the algorithm. Examples include the user's environment, sleep habits, exercise routine, medical records, etc. The health index number is used to determine recommended actions, which can include changes in environment, routines, activities, etc. The data collection, algorithms, and other features of the system can be provided by an application running on a portable computing device. Features of the portable computing device can be used to automatically obtain data for the algorithm.

[0010] US6454708 discloses a system and method for monitoring health parameters and capturing data from a subject. The system features a cordless disposable sensor band with sensors for measuring full waveform ECG, full waveform respiration, skin temperature, and movement, and a connector that accepts a memory card or smart card for storing the measurement data. After a predetermined period of time, such as when the sensor band is removed, the memory card or smart card is removed and inserted into a monitoring device that reads the stored subject's health parameter data. The monitoring device includes a base station that includes a memory / smart card reader and is connected to a conventional telephone line to transfer the collected data to a remote monitoring station. The base station can also capture additional clinical data, such as blood pressure data, and perform data checks. Subject safety is enhanced by the ability of the base station to compare, for example, clinical data. The ECG marks events when appropriate for a given profile, or when the base station is programmed to do so. The remote monitoring station allows for the presentation and review of the data (including events) transferred by the sensor band. ECG analysis software and a user-friendly graphical user interface are provided to remotely analyze the transmitted data and allow for maintenance and upkeep of the system. In an alternative embodiment, the smart card contains the sensor band electronics and / or signal transmission circuitry along with a portable data logger so that the electronics can be reused from one disposable sensor band to the next without limiting the range of patient movement. The system of the present invention has useful applications in the collection of subject clinical data during medical trials for drug testing and regulatory approval, as well as in the management of subjects with chronic diseases.

[0011] US Patent Publication No. 20150294576 discloses a nutrition and activity management system that monitors an individual's energy expenditure through the use of a body-worn sensing device. The device is particularly adapted for continuous wearing. The system is also adaptable or adaptable to measure several other physiological parameters and report it and the derivation of such parameters. Weight management embodiments are directed to achieving an optimal or preselected energy balance between calories consumed and energy expended by the user. An adaptable computerized nutrition tracking system is utilized to obtain data regarding foods consumed, and relevant and predictive feedback is provided to the user regarding the interactive effects of the user's energy expenditure, food consumption, and other measured or derived or manually entered physiological context parameters in progressing toward said goal.

[0012] US Patent No. 10,178,973 discloses the use of a biometric monitoring device to determine a user's heart rate by using a heart rate waveform sensor and a motion detection sensor. In some embodiments, the device collects output data from the heart rate waveform sensor and output data from the motion detection sensor, determines an expected heart rate range from the output data from the motion detection sensor, and determines the user's heart rate within the expected heart rate range using the output data from the heart rate waveform sensor.

[0013] US Patent Publication No. 20160328991 discloses a system and method that allows a user to learn and become familiar with the health impacts of various aspects of their lifestyle, for example, a user can learn about how food and / or exercise affect their glucose levels and other physiological parameters and overall health. In some cases, the user selects a program to try. In other cases, the computing environment embodying the system includes based on pattern recognition, i.e., suggests a program to try with the computing environment determining how the user can improve the detected pattern in some way. In this way, a user such as a type II diabetes patient, or even a user who is pre-diabetic or non-diabetic, can learn healthy habits that will benefit their health.

[0014] US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0104057 discloses a method of operating a computing device to learn user preferences for methods of processing digital images. The method can include aggregating user image selections and associated contextual attributes into a user preference training database, where the user image selections represent a record of user preferences for at least one of the adjusted versions of a base image when the adjusted versions are processed differently with different visual effects, determining associated visual effect preferences based on machine learning or statistical analysis of the user image selections in the preference training database, where the user image selections represent an experimental record corresponding to the visual effects, updating a photo preference profile with the visual effect preferences, and providing the photo preference profile to an image processor for subsequently adjusting captured photos provided to the image processor.

[0015] Despite the advantages achieved by known methods and devices, some technical challenges remain, especially in the field of mobile computing. In particular, the reliability and accuracy of the measurements need to be improved and guaranteed. Furthermore, a major challenge still relies on the fact that user-specific preferences and user-specific handling of the measurement device and the measurement process vary widely. This challenge is mainly due to the fact that a wide variety of users are intended to apply algorithms and measurement settings with different physical or mental capabilities and preferences.

[0016] Issues to be resolved It is therefore desirable to provide a method and an apparatus that addresses the above technical challenges of analytical measurements using mobile devices such as consumer electronic mobile devices, in particular multi-purpose mobile devices that are not dedicated to analytical measurements such as smartphones and tablet computers. In particular, a method and an apparatus are proposed that takes into account the user's specific preferences and capabilities and thus can automatically adapt to the specific circumstances of the measurement by still using a standard mobile device without the need to manually adapt the device settings. Summary of the Invention

[0017] overview This problem is addressed by a method, an apparatus, a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments, which can be realized alone or in any combination, are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0018] When used below, the terms "having", "comprises" or "including" or any grammatical variants thereof are used inclusively. Thus, these terms may refer both to the situation where, in addition to the features introduced by these terms, no further features are present in the entity described in this context, and to the situation where one or more additional features are present. As an example, the expressions "A has B", "A comprises B" and "A includes B" may both refer to the situation where, apart from B, no other elements are present in A (i.e., A consists solely and exclusively of B), and to the situation where, apart from B, one or more further elements are present in the entity A, such as element C, elements C and D, and even further elements.

[0019] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one," "one or more," or similar expressions indicating that a feature or element may be present one or more times are typically used only once when introducing each feature or element. In the following, in most cases, when referring to each feature or element, the expressions "at least one" or "one or more" will not be repeated, despite the fact that each feature or element may be present one or more than one time.

[0020] Furthermore, when used below, the terms "preferably", "more preferably", "particularly", "more particularly", "particularly", "more specifically" or similar terms are used in conjunction with any feature without limiting the possibility of substitution. Thus, the features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. The invention may be implemented by using alternative features, as recognized by those skilled in the art. Similarly, features introduced by "in an embodiment of the invention" or similar expressions are intended to be optional features without limitations on alternative embodiments of the invention, without limitations on the scope of the invention, and without limitations on the possibility of combining the feature introduced in such a way with other optional or non-optional features of the invention.

[0021] In a first aspect of the present invention, a calibration method is disclosed. The calibration method is configured to calibrate a measurement setting, the measurement setting being configured to perform an analysis method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. Therein, the analysis method comprises using a mobile device having a camera, taking at least one image of at least a part of an optical test strip having a test field by using the camera, and further determining at least one analyte concentration value from the color development of the test field. The calibration method specifically comprises the following steps, which can be performed in a given order. However, it shall be noted that different orders are also possible. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform one or more method steps once or repeatedly. Furthermore, it is possible to perform two or more method steps simultaneously or overlapping in time. The method can comprise further method steps not described. The calibration method comprises: i) performing a plurality of analyte measurements by a plurality of users, the analyte measurements comprising, at least in part, taking an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera to thereby obtain training data for the analyte measurements; ii) analyzing the training data obtained in step i), thereby identifying similarities in the training data, and identifying a plurality of user profiles according to the similarities in the training data; iii) providing profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for at least one of the user profiles; and Includes.

[0022] As used herein, the term "analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid", also referred to simply as "analytical method" or "analytical measurement", is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically, but not limited to, refer to the quantitative and / or qualitative determination of at least one analyte in any sample or aliquot of body fluid. For example, the body fluid can include one or more of blood, interstitial fluid, urine, saliva or other types of body fluid. The result of the concentration determination can be, by way of example, the concentration of the analyte and / or the presence or absence of the determined analyte. Specifically, by way of example, the analytical measurement can be a blood glucose measurement, and thus the result of the analytical measurement can be, for example, a blood glucose concentration. In particular, an analytical measurement value can be determined by the analytical measurement. Thus, the term "analytical measurement value", also referred to simply as "analyte concentration value" or "analytical measurement value", as used herein, is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a numerical representation of an analyte concentration in a sample. By way of example, the at least one analyte may be or include one or more specific chemical compounds and / or other parameters. By way of example, one or more analytes involved in metabolism, such as blood glucose, may be determined. Additionally or alternatively, other types of analytes or parameters may be determined, such as, for example, pH values.

[0023] The term "measurement setup for an analytical method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to one or more of, but not limited to, a system, an apparatus, a configuration of a system, or a configuration of an apparatus for performing an analytical method. Specifically, the term can refer to a combination of at least one device, such as a mobile device, and at least one software configured to execute at least one application on the device, such as at least one software for performing an analytical measurement. The measurement setup can refer to one or more of, as examples, a user-specific setup, a handling-specific setup, a setup specific to a measurement environment, and the like. Thus, in general, the term measurement setup can refer to a method for performing an analytical method, such as one or more of at least one device used to perform the analytical method, a processing step for performing the analytical method, or a user performing the analytical method.

[0024] Thus, as used herein, the term "adjustment method for adjusting measurement settings for an analytical method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid", also referred to simply as "adjustment method", is also a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically, but not exclusively, refer to one or more methods of changing or adjusting the measurement settings as defined above. In particular, the term can refer to a method in which at least one parameter affecting the measurement settings is adjusted and / or set. In the following, exemplary embodiments are given.

[0025] The analysis method outlined above involves the use of a mobile device having a camera. The term "mobile device" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a portable electronic device, more specifically a portable communication device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone. Additionally or alternatively, as outlined in more detail below, a mobile device may also refer to a tablet computer or another type of portable computer having at least one camera.

[0026] The term "camera" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to any special or customized meaning. The term may specifically, but not limited to, refer to a device having at least one imaging element configured to record or capture spatially resolved one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional optical data or information. By way of example, a camera may include at least one camera chip, such as at least one CCD chip and / or at least one CMOS chip, configured to record an image. As used herein, but not limited to, the term "image" may specifically relate to data recorded by using a camera, such as multiple electronic readouts from an imaging element, such as the pixels of a camera chip.

[0027] The camera may include, in addition to at least one camera chip or imaging chip, one or more optical elements, for example, one or more further elements such as one or more lenses. By way of example, the camera may be a fixed focus camera with at least one lens that is fixedly adjusted relative to the camera. Alternatively, however, the camera may also include one or more variable lenses that may be adjusted automatically or manually. The invention must be applicable in particular to cameras that are typically used in mobile applications such as notebook computers, tablets, or mobile phones, in particular smartphones. Thus, in particular, the camera may be part of a mobile device that includes, in addition to at least one camera, one or more data processing devices, such as one or more data processors. However, other cameras may also be used.

[0028] The camera may in particular be a color camera. Thus, for each pixel, color information such as three color values ​​of R, G, B may be provided or generated, and more color values ​​are also feasible, for example four color values ​​for each pixel, such as R, G, G, B. Color cameras are generally known to those skilled in the art. Thus, by way of example, a camera chip may consist of three or more different color sensors, color recording pixels, such as one pixel for red (R), one pixel for green (G), and one pixel for blue (B). Depending on the intensity of the respective color, for each pixel, such as R, G, B, a value may be recorded by the pixel, such as a digital value ranging from 0 to 255. By way of example, instead of using a color triple, such as R, G, B, a quadruple, such as R, G, G, B, may be used. The color sensitivity of the pixel may be generated by a color filter or by an appropriate intrinsic sensitivity of the sensor element used in the camera pixel. These techniques are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] The analysis method further includes taking at least one image of at least a portion of the optical test strip having a test field by using a camera. The term "optical test strip" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its normal and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any element or device configured to perform a color change detection reaction. An optical test strip can also be referred to as a test strip or a test element, and all three terms can refer to the same element. An optical test strip can specifically have a test field that includes at least one test chemical for detecting at least one analyte. By way of example, an optical test strip can include at least one substrate, such as at least one carrier, having at least one test field applied thereto or incorporated therein. In particular, an optical test strip can further include at least one white area, such as a white field, specifically adjacent to the test field, e.g., surrounding or surrounding the test field. The white area can be a separate field independently disposed on the substrate or carrier. However, additionally or alternatively, the substrate or carrier itself can be or include a white area. For example, at least one carrier can be strip-shaped, thereby making the test element a test strip. These test strips are widely used and available to the public. A test strip can carry a single test field or multiple test fields with the same or different test chemicals contained therein.

[0030] As further used herein, the term "test field" is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a coherent amount of test chemical on a circular, polygonal or rectangular shaped field, etc., having one or more layers of material, with at least one layer of the test field containing the test chemical.

[0031] The term "capturing at least one image" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, one or more of imaging, image recording, image acquisition, and image capture. The term "capturing at least one image" may include capturing a single image and / or multiple images, such as a series of images. For example, capturing an image may include continuously recording a series of images, such as a video or video. Capturing at least one image may be initiated by a user action or may be initiated automatically, for example, upon automatically detecting the presence of at least one object within the camera's field of view and / or within a predefined sector of the field of view. These automatic image capture techniques are known, for example, in the field of automatic barcode readers, such as automatic barcode reading apps. Capturing images may be done, for example, by capturing a stream or "lifestream" of images with a camera, where one or more of the images are stored and used, automatically or by user interaction, such as pressing a button, as at least one first image or at least one second image, respectively. Image capture may be supported by a processor of the mobile device, and image storage may occur within a data storage device of the mobile device.

[0032] The at least one image of at least a portion of the optical test strip may specifically include an image of at least a portion of the test field. Additionally, the image may include an image of other portions of the optical test strip, such as a white reference portion of the test strip.

[0033] The taking of the at least one image may include taking at least one image with a sample of bodily fluid applied to the test strip, and, optionally, for example, taking at least one image without applying the sample of bodily fluid to the test strip before applying the sample to the test strip and taking the image. The latter image may be specifically used for comparison purposes and may also be called a "blank image" or a "dry image". The application of the sample may generally be performed, for example, directly or indirectly, for example, via at least one capillary element. The at least one image taken after the application of the sample may also typically be called a "wet image", even if the sample may be dry when the image is actually taken. The wet image may typically be taken after waiting at least a predetermined waiting time, for example a waiting time of 5 seconds or more, to allow the detection reaction to occur. Thus, by way of example, the method may include waiting at least a predetermined minimum amount of time between taking at least one optional dry image and at least one wet image. This predetermined minimum amount of time may specifically be sufficient for the detection reaction to occur in the test strip. By way of example, the minimum waiting time may be at least 5 seconds.

[0034] The method outlined above involves determining at least one analyte concentration value from the color development of the test field. Thus, the method can be an analytical measurement that includes a change in at least one optical property of the optical test strip, which change can be visually measured or determined by using a camera. Specifically, the analytical measurement can be or can include a color development reaction in the presence of at least one analyte to be determined. The term "color development reaction" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a chemical, biological or physical reaction in which the color, specifically the reflectance, of at least one element involved in the reaction changes as the reaction progresses. The color development can be detected by the mobile device, such as by a processor of the mobile device, and can be quantitatively evaluated, such as by deriving from the at least one image at least one parameter that quantifies or characterizes the color development of the test field due to the presence of the analyte in the bodily fluid. As an example, one or more of the color coordinates mentioned above can be used. Thus, the mobile device, and in particular the processor of the mobile device, may be configured to determine the color change by determining a change in one or more color coordinates resulting from the detection response.

[0035] At least one analyte concentration value is determined from the color development of the test field. For this purpose, at least one image can be used. The analyte concentration value can be a numerical indication of the result of the analytical measurement, such as indicating the concentration of at least one analyte in the sample, such as, for example, a blood glucose concentration.

[0036] To determine the analyte concentration from the color development of the test field, at least one correlation for converting the color development of the test field into an analyte concentration value can be used, for example at least one correlation provided on the mobile device. By way of example, the correlation can be a correlation function, such as a linear correlation, for converting at least one color information derived from at least one image into an analyte concentration. Thus, by way of example, in the case of blood glucose measurement, often the red channel of the image and / or the R value derived from the image is converted into a blood glucose concentration by using a linear transformation. However, other correlations are possible. By way of example, the correlation can be provided in an electronic format, such as a data storage, and / or via at least one interface of the mobile device. The correlation can be provided in various ways, such as by way of example, providing one or more parameters that define the correlation, such as a parameter that defines a linear relationship between the analyte concentration value and at least one item of information derived from the at least one image, as outlined in more detail below. By way of example, for a linear correlation, an offset and a slope of the correlation can be provided. Other types of correlations are possible.

[0037] Thus, in general, as used herein, the term "correlation" is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a predetermined or determinable relationship between information derived from at least one image, such as color information or color change information, and at least one analytical measurement concentration value. To determine an analytical measurement value from at least one image, as an example, a correlation or predetermined or determinable relationship between information derived from at least one image, such as color information or color change information, and at least one analytical measurement concentration value may be used. This correlation or predetermined or determinable relationship may be stored in the data storage device of the mobile device and / or the processor of the mobile device, as an example. As an example, the processor may be configured by software programming to derive at least one information from at least one image, such as at least one color coordinate, and apply the predetermined or determinable relationship to the at least one information. The correlation, which is, for example, a conversion function, a conversion table or a look-up table, can for example be empirically determined and can for example be stored in at least one data store of the mobile device by software, in particular an app downloaded from an app store or the like. As an example for deriving the at least one item of information, the processor may be programmed to recognize, preferably automatically, the test field or at least a part of the test field in the image, for example by pattern recognition and / or other algorithms. As a result, the processor may be programmed to determine the at least one item of information, such as one or more color coordinates.Each at least one item of information derived from at least one arbitrary blank or dry image can be used for normalization, for example by dividing the at least one item of information derived from the wet image by the at least one item of information derived from the corresponding blank image, or by subtracting the at least one item of information derived from the wet image from the at least one item of information derived from the blank image, or vice versa. Other normalization methods are also feasible. For example, the correlation, which is a conversion function, a conversion table or a look-up table, can be determined, for example empirically and can be stored, for example, in at least one data store of the mobile device by software, in particular an app downloaded from an app store or the like.

[0038] As outlined in more detail below, the correlation can generally be determined by using empirical or semi-empirical methods, such as using "training". Training can include, by way of example, performing multiple measurements that convert color development to analyte concentration values ​​and comparing the results to at least one known result, and / or using other suitable means, such as at least one color reference card, which are described in more detail below. By way of example, training can also include the use of one or more artifacts in the network. By way of example, multiple images can be used as inputs for one or more artificial neural networks to determine analyte concentration values, by using reference information, such as from one or more color reference cards and / or from one or more reference measurements for feedback. Other training means are also possible and are commonly known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, by using regression methods, such as linear regression, to determine parameters of the correlation. As a result of the training, one or more parameters that characterize the correlation can be obtained.

[0039] The method may further include displaying the analyte concentration values, such as on a display of the mobile device. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include storing the at least one analyte concentration value in at least one data storage device of the mobile device. Again additionally and alternatively, the method may further include transmitting the at least one analyte concentration value via the at least one interface and / or via at least one data transmission network, such as to another computer for further evaluation.

[0040] As further outlined above, the adjustment method, which may be a prerequisite for carrying out the analytical method and which may be carried out at least once before carrying out the analytical method, comprises in step i) carrying out a plurality of analyte measurements by a plurality of users. The analyte measurements comprise, at least in part, taking an image of at least a part of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, thereby obtaining training data for the analyte measurements. For the analyte measurements and carrying out of the analyte measurements of step i), which may also be referred to as training analyte measurements, in particular training analyte measurements of the adjustment method, reference may be made to the analyte measurements described above. Thus, in particular, a plurality of users, which may include, by way of example, patients, healthy subjects or health care professionals, may each carry out an analyte measurement by taking an image of at least a part of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera. Thus, by way of example, the users of step i) may form a training entity or training population. Each of the users of the training population may own at least one mobile device having at least one camera and may further own at least one optical test strip having at least one test field. The samples used in the training step i) may be of the same type. Thus, by way of example, each user of the training population may apply the same type of bodily fluid, such as blood, to their respective optical test strips. By way of example, each user may apply their own blood, or, specifically in the case of health care professionals, may apply a sample of a patient's blood to the optical test strip. The analyte measurement or training analyte measurement of step i) may be performed by each user applying at least one sample of bodily fluid to the optical test strip, taking at least one image of at least a portion of the optical test strip having the test field by using a respective camera of the training users' individual mobile phone, and further determining the respective analyte concentrations as outlined above.This allows training data to be generated relating to training analyte measurements performed by a number of users in step i).

[0041] The term "training data" as used herein, and particularly in the context of step i), is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically, but not exclusively, refer to any data relating to the training analyte measurements of step i), particularly the individual training analyte measurements made by the users of the training population. Thus, by way of example, a training data set may be generated for each training analyte measurement performed in step i), and the entities of the training data set may, by way of example, form the training data. The individual training data sets of the users may be of the same type, such as by specifying the type of data included in the training data set. The training data may specifically include at least one item of information selected from the group consisting of: at least one image of each training analyte measurement, at least one item of information derived from the image of each training analyte measurement, such as at least one item of color information, an analyte concentration value determined during each training analyte measurement, at least one setting parameter of the mobile device used for each training analyte measurement, at least one sensor parameter generated by at least one sensor of the mobile device before, during or after the training analyte measurement, at least one external sensor parameter generated by at least one external sensor before, during or after the training analyte measurement, at least one handling parameter characterizing the procedure and / or handling of the mobile device by the user during the analyte measurement. Additionally or alternatively, one or more other parameters characterizing each training analyte measurement may be included in the training data. Further exemplary embodiments are given below.

[0042] As outlined further above, in step ii) the training data acquired in step i) is analyzed, whereby similarities of the training data are identified. Furthermore, a plurality of user profiles are identified according to the similarities of the training data. The analysis may be performed at least partially on each mobile device of the plurality of users, such as the individual mobile devices of the users used during the training analyte measurements. However, additionally or alternatively, as outlined in more detail below, the analysis may be performed fully or partially on at least one analysis entity separate from the mobile devices of the plurality of users of step i). Thus, the at least one analysis entity may, by way of example, comprise at least one assessment server, sometimes referred to as an assessment server device, which may, by way of example, be a single server or a cloud server. Thus, the analysis may be performed fully or partially in the cloud.

[0043] The term "analyzing" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any process for deriving information from input data or raw data. Thus, specifically in the context of step ii), the analysis of the training data includes any process for identifying similarities in the training data and identifying a plurality of user profiles according to the similarities. As outlined in more detail below, the analysis can specifically include using at least one process of artificial intelligence, such as at least one self-learning process and / or at least one artificial neural network, for the purpose of identifying similarities. The term "similarity" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, at least two virtual or real objects, and / or at least two characteristics of information that satisfy one or more similarity conditions and / or one or more similarity criteria. Therein, the similarity can be quantified by using one or more similarity functions and / or by using similarity learning techniques known to those skilled in the art of supervised machine learning in artificial intelligence. As a simple example, each set of training data can include variables, and the similarity of two sets of training data can be defined by the values ​​of the respective variables being within a certain range or being separated by no more than a given threshold. However, additionally or alternatively, other similarity criteria are feasible. The result of the similarity determination can include, as an example, information about which of the training data sets are similar with respect to which variables and / or parameters contained therein. However, other similarities may also be detected.

[0044] The term "user profile" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically refers to, but is not limited to, at least one item of information about a user, in particular the user's physical condition, such as an item of information in response to a question whether the user has a particular disease, the user's habits, such as the user's behavioral aspects and / or the user's responses to particular situations, the user's experience level, such as the user's experience level with respect to handling mobile devices and / or analytical methods, the user's personal circumstances, such as the user's mobility, etc.

[0045] A user profile can specifically refer to a particular category of users, such that the terms "category" and "profile" can also be used synonymously. Thus, by identifying a plurality of user profiles according to similarities in the training data, users can be classified into at least two different categories, with users in one category having the same or at least similar user profile. Thus, new users can be analyzed as outlined in more detail below with respect to the description of the analysis method, and if the new user does not fit into an existing category, they can be assigned to an existing category according to their respective user profile, or to a new category. Thus, the above-mentioned training can also be performed repeatedly, iteratively or continuously, in order to identify new user profiles and / or new user categories as soon as they arise. A user profile can include a plurality of items of information, such as specific variables, as described above. Different categories or user profiles may be defined, by way of example, by different values ​​of different value ranges of these variables. Each user can be assigned to exactly one user profile or user category. Alternatively, however, a user may be assigned to more than one user profile or user category, such as when overlapping user profiles are selected as categories. As an example, user categories "experienced" and "inexperienced" may be defined, such as according to a particular set of variables indicative of a particular skill or indicative of a particular reaction or reaction time of a user. However, a user assigned to the "experienced" category may also be assigned to one or more other categories. Thus, one or more profiles may be generated for a particular type model of mobile device. Additionally or alternatively, one or more profiles may generate or identify a category indicative of a particular physical condition, such as indicative of a user having a particular illness. Other examples are possible.

[0046] As further outlined above, in step iii) profile-specific measurement setting adjustments are provided for at least one of the user profiles. By way of example, the setting adjustments can be provided in electronic format, such as in at least one data store, such as a server and / or a cloud server data store, and / or via at least one interface, such as a web interface. The term "profile-specific measurement setting adjustments" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term can specifically refer to at least one specific setting for performing at least one analyte measurement by a user belonging to a particular user profile, but is not limited to it. The setting can specifically refer to at least one of variables, a device of a mobile device, or instructions for performing an analyte measurement, such as instructions displayed on a display of a mobile device. The term "adjustment" as used herein can refer to maintaining a particular setting or changing a particular setting. By way of example, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments specific to a particular user profile may include one or more of instructions, commands, variables, values, or program code provided to the mobile device of a user belonging to the user profile to cause the mobile device to perform a particular process for analyte measurement, such as a particular analyte measurement or process of analyte measurement appropriate for the user of the user profile. By way of example, if the user profile is that of a user with a particular illness, such as an illness that leads to frequent tremors, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments may include an increased tolerance to motion blur, such as motion blur in images used for analysis, as compared to a user of the profile that does not exhibit frequent tremors, as outlined in further detail below. Furthermore, if the user profile is that of an experienced user, the user instructions, such as instructions displayed on the display of the mobile device, may be less extensive as compared to user instructions displayed for a user of a profile that exhibits less experience.Other options are possible, and further exemplary embodiments are provided below.

[0047] The profile-specific measurement setting adjustments may specifically refer, at least in part, to at least one of the following: - Handling procedures for analyte measurements; - Phone hardware settings; - Mobile phone software settings; - Instructions given to the user by the mobile phone; - confidence in the measurement results of the analyte determination; - acceptable parameter tolerances when performing analyte measurements; - a timing sequence for performing the analyte measurements; - Fail-safe algorithms for performing analyte measurements; - Improved analyte measurement accuracy.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, other options are possible.

[0049] As outlined above, step i) involves obtaining or generating training data. The training data may specifically include at least one of the following: - Information derived from the image, in particular color information derived from the image; - information derived from at least one color reference card visible in the image; - Image-derived analyte measurements; - sensor data obtained by using at least one sensor of the user's mobile phone, in particular an angle sensor, a light sensor, a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, in particular a Hall sensor, a GPS sensor, a pressure sensor, in particular a barometer, a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, in particular a fingerprint sensor and / or an iris scanning sensor; - sensor data obtained by using at least one external sensor; - configuration information regarding settings of the user's mobile device for performing the analyte measurement, in particular configuration information regarding at least one of the following: illumination, sensitivity, exposure time, gamma correction; - Health information about the user, in particular health information obtained from a health application running on the user's mobile device.

[0050] Thus, in general, the training data can also include information in addition to information derived from the image, such as analytical information. By way of example, user-specific preferences or settings of the mobile device used to generate the training data can be taken into account, as well as external or internal sensor data. Furthermore, the training data can also take into account information provided by the user, either actively by user input, or passively by considering data contained in the mobile phone, such as a health application running on the mobile device. Furthermore, data related to the mobile device itself, such as the type of mobile device and / or the settings of the mobile device, can be taken into account. Furthermore, data regarding typical measurement situations, such as environmental data, such as user preferences regarding lighting conditions, can be taken into account.

[0051] Step ii) may specifically include using at least one self-learning algorithm, more specifically at least one artificial intelligence. Step ii) may therefore include using one or more of a trained model and an artificial neural network, such as a convolutional neural network. By way of example, a general artificial neural network may be adapted for the purpose of analyzing the training data, such as TensorFlow®. However, other artificial neural networks may also be used.

[0052] The adjustment method may further include transmitting the training data obtained in step i) from the mobile device of the respective user to at least one assessment server device. The term "assessment server device", also referred to as "assessment server", as used herein, is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a device capable of performing one or more assessment operations. In particular, the assessment device may comprise at least one processor that may be programmed by suitable software to perform one or more assessment operations. The at least one assessment server device may specifically be at least one cloud-based assessment server device, also referred to as a cloud server. In general, at least step ii) and optionally step iii) as well as optionally one or more further steps may be performed by the assessment server device. Thus, in particular, the analysis of the training data and optionally the provision of profile-specific measurement setting adjustments may also be performed by the assessment server device. Alternatively, however, step iii), i.e. providing a profile-specific measurement setting adjustment for at least one of the user profiles, may also be performed fully or partly by a separate entity, such as by a server device separate from the assessment server device, and / or by a mobile device of an individual user used in the analysis method, and / or by one or more of the mobile devices of a plurality of users involved in the adjustment method. Other options are also feasible.

[0053] Further options and embodiments refer to the similarity identified in step ii). Thus, specifically, the similarity identified in step ii) can refer at least in part to the lighting conditions when performing step i). The profile-specific measurement setting adjustment can refer at least in part to the camera adjustment when performing step i), specifically to at least one of the camera sensitivity, exposure time. Thereby, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustment can take into account the similarity of a user of a particular category or profile to the lighting conditions during the analyte measurement. As an example, a user who typically performs analyte measurements under artificial light can be assigned to a particular profile, for example taking into account the specific spectral characteristics of the artificial light.

[0054] The similarity identified in step ii) may additionally or alternatively refer at least in part to the tremor of the user when performing step i). Thus, a user with significant tremor can be assigned to a specific profile. The profile-specific measurement setting adjustments can then specifically and at least in part refer to one or more of the following: the tolerance of the mobile phone's movement when performing step i), the image blur of the image captured in step i). Thus, by identifying the tremor, a user-specific adjustment of the mobile device that takes into account the user's tremor can be performed.

[0055] In a further aspect of the invention, an analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid is disclosed. The analytical method comprises using a mobile device with a camera. The method comprises taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip with a test field by using the camera. The method further comprises determining at least one analyte concentration value from the color development of the test field. For possible definitions, reference can be made to the description of the adjustment method above. The analytical method further comprises the following steps, which can be specifically performed in a given order. It shall be noted, however, that different orders are also possible. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform one or more method steps once or repeatedly. Furthermore, it is possible to perform two or more method steps simultaneously or with overlapping times. The method can comprise further method steps not described. The analytical method comprises the following steps: a) carrying out a preparation method according to the invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments described above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below; b) performing, by at least one individual user, a plurality of analyte measurements, the analyte measurements including, at least in part, capturing an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, thereby obtaining user-specific training data for the analyte measurements; c) analyzing the user-specific training data obtained in step b) and assigning the individual user to at least one individual user profile of the user profiles; and d) Providing user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for individual user profiles.

[0056] Thus, the analysis method distinguishes between a plurality of users, also called test users, who perform step i) of the above-mentioned adjustment method, and an individual user who performs step b) of the analysis method. The individual user may be part of the entity of test users or may be distinct from the test users. However, in general, it is possible to merge the individual users into the entity of test users after performing at least step b), preferably step c). Thus, even if the steps of the analysis method focus on the individual users and the analysis method performed by the individual users in order to provide the individual users with profile-specific measurement setting adjustments, step b) and optionally c) can be part of step i) and optionally ii).

[0057] For most of the definitions and options of the analysis method, reference can be made to the description of the adjustment method above. In step b), the individual user can perform a plurality of analyte measurements, which may also be called individual training measurements, in particular by using his own mobile device. Furthermore, the individual user can use his own samples of bodily fluids for the purpose of the individual training measurements in step b). However, alternatively, one or more healthcare personnel may be involved in the individual training measurements.

[0058] For details of the individual training measurements of step b), in particular the image capture, the optical test strip, and further details, reference can be made to the description of the adjustment method above. The execution of the training measurements in step b) may also include determining analyte concentration values ​​for these training measurements or for at least one or more of these training measurements. For the purpose of determining the analyte concentration for the training measurements, again a correlation between at least one item of information derived from the image and the analyte concentration value can be used. By way of example, this correlation can be or include a preliminary correlation that can be refined after applying profile-specific measurement setting adjustments to the individual user profile in step d).

[0059] As will be outlined in more detail below, the analysis of the user-specific training data of the individual users in step c) may in particular be performed fully or partly by at least one assessment server device, however, additionally or alternatively, at least a part of the analysis may be performed on the individual user's mobile device, such as on a processor of the individual user's mobile device.

[0060] As will be outlined in more detail below, the provision of user-specific measurement setting adjustments to individual user profiles may also be specifically performed by optionally providing adjustments for the individual users from the assessment server device to the individual users' mobile devices. Alternatively, however, the provision of user-specific measurement setting adjustments may also be performed fully or partly by a separate entity for the individual users' mobile devices. However, other options are also feasible.

[0061] The analysis method may specifically include the following steps prior to step b): e) Assigning individual users to predefined start profiles.

[0062] This predefined starting profile may specifically include at least one preliminary correlation as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the predefined starting profile that may be used as a default starting profile may include predefined settings that may represent an average user, such as a user having one or more of the following: average knowledge, average ability to handle analyte measurements; average correlation between at least one item of information derived from the image and analyte concentration values; average handling conditions, such as average lighting conditions; and average physical condition. This predefined starting profile may specifically be refined after performing step b) and optionally one or both of steps c) and d), and may be completely or partially replaced by user profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user profile assigned to the individual user.

[0063] The analysis method may further comprise transmitting the user-specific training data obtained in step b) from the mobile device of the individual user to at least one assessment server device. As outlined above, the assessment server device may be fully or partially identical to the assessment server device used for the training steps ii) to iii). Alternatively, however, the assessment server device may also be fully or partially separated from this training assessment server device. In general, the assessment server device may be a cloud-based assessment server device. Other options such as non-cloud-based assessment server devices are also feasible. In general, at least steps c) and d) may be at least partially executed by the assessment server device. User-profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user profiles may in particular be transmitted from the assessment server device to the mobile device of the individual user.

[0064] The analysis method may further comprise the steps of: f) performing at least one analyte measurement by the individual user using the individual user's mobile device, the analyte measurement comprising, at least in part, capturing at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, and evaluating the at least one image to derive at least one measure of a concentration of an analyte in the bodily fluid, the analyte measurement being performed by using user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user.

[0065] Thus, in step f), the individual user can actually perform an analyte measurement as described above using his / her mobile device and his / her at least one optical test strip with the measurement setting adjustment specific to the individual user's user profile. Step f) can therefore be an application of the results of the training steps i) to iii). Steps i) to iii) as well as steps b) and c) can therefore be performed at least once before performing step f).

[0066] The user-specific training data may specifically include training data as described above in the context of the training data of the adjustment method. Thus, for possible types or contents of the user-specific training data, the training data of step i) may be referred to, and the user of the plurality of users of step i) may be replaced by an individual user.

[0067] Step c) may specifically include using at least one self-learning algorithm. More specifically, step c) may include using at least one artificial intelligence, more specifically an artificial neural network such as a convolutional neural network. Specifically, the artificial network may be used to detect similarities between the user-specific training data and the training data of the user of one of the user profiles identified in step ii). In that, step c) may be comparable to the analysis step ii), since an artificial neural network may be used to detect similarities in general. For possible definitions or details such as the nature of the similarity, reference may be made to the description of step ii) above. Depending on the similarity, the individual user may be assigned to at least one of the user profiles, thereby being defined to be at least one individual user profile. As mentioned above, the individual user may be assigned to one individual user profile or to multiple individual user profiles.

[0068] In a further aspect of the present invention, a tuning system for performing the tuning method of the present invention is disclosed, such as according to any one of the embodiments described above and / or according to any one of the embodiments described in more detail below. The term "tuning system" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to a system having one or more system components, the system being configured to perform the method. Thus, by way of example, the system may include one or more computers, such as one or more computers each having at least one processor, the computers being programmed to perform the method. For most of the functions and components of the tuning system, reference may be made to the description of the tuning method above. The tuning system may include: I) a receiving device for receiving training data relating to analytical measurements, the training data being obtained by a plurality of users performing a plurality of analyte measurements, the analyte measurements including, at least in part, taking an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, thereby obtaining the training data relating to the analyte measurements; II) a rating server device configured to optionally execute step ii) of the adjustment method; III) a transmitting device for transmitting the profile-specific measurement configuration adjustments provided in step ii); Equipped with.

[0069] The term "receiving device" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any device configured to receive data, such as, but not limited to, a wireless or wired interface for receiving data. As an example, a receiving device for receiving training data may include a web interface. Similarly, the term "transmitting device" as used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any device configured to transmit data, such as, but not limited to, a wireless or wired interface for transmitting data, and specifically a web interface. The receiving device and the transmitting device may be separate devices. However, the receiving device and the transmitting device may also be completely or partially identical.

[0070] For a definition of the term "ratings server device", also referred to simply as "ratings server", reference may be made to the description of the method above. In particular, the rating server may be or include at least one cloud-based server, also referred to as a cloud-based rating server device. However, other embodiments are also possible.

[0071] In a further aspect of the invention, a mobile device adapted for use by an individual user, particularly as described above, is disclosed, the mobile device comprising at least one camera, the mobile device being adapted, for example by programming at least one processor of the mobile device, to: - carrying out step b) of the analysis method according to the invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments described above and / or according to any one of the embodiments described in more detail below, - receiving user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user profiles provided in step d); The present invention is configured to:

[0072] Thus, the mobile device can be configured to perform all method steps or to perform the method steps performed by an individual user. In particular, the mobile device may be configured to perform step b) of the method. Optionally, the mobile device may be configured to transmit user-specific training data acquired thereby to the assessment server device. The mobile device can further be configured to receive profile-specific measurement setting adjustments of an individual user profile, such as to receive these setting adjustments from the assessment server device.

[0073] The mobile device can be further configured to use these profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for one or more subsequent analytical measurements performed by the individual user. Thus, the mobile device may be further configured to perform step f) as outlined above by using the user profile-specific measurement setting adjustments of the individual user.

[0074] The mobile device may specifically include at least one processor, as described above. The term "processor" as generally used herein is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and should not be limited to any special or customized meaning. The term may specifically, but not limited to, refer to any logic circuitry configured to perform the basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally to a device configured to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, the processor may be configured to process the basic instructions that drive the computer or system. By way of example, the processor may include at least one arithmetic logic unit (ALU), at least one floating point unit (FPU), such as a numeric coprocessor or numeric coprocessor, a number of registers, specifically registers configured to supply operands to the ALU and store the results of the operations, and memories, such as L1 and L2 cache memories. In particular, the processor may be a multi-core processor. In particular, the processor may be or include a central processing unit (CPU). Additionally or alternatively, the processor may be or include a microprocessor, and thus, in particular, the elements of the processor may be included in one single integrated circuit (IC) chip. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may be or include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. The processor may be specifically configured, such as by software programming, to perform one or more evaluation operations.

[0075] The mobile device may be configured to perform further steps. Thus, in particular, the mobile device may be configured to provide an evaluation assistance performing at least one evaluation step for the analyte measurement, as outlined above. The evaluation may also be supported by artificial intelligence running on the mobile device, such as at least one artificial neural network. Thus, by way of example, at least one artificial neural network and / or other artificial intelligence may be used to determine or detect anomalous measurements or anomalies. Other embodiments are also possible.

[0076] In a further aspect of the present invention, a computer program is disclosed, comprising instructions, when executed by a mobile device having a camera, in particular by a processor of the mobile device, more particularly by a mobile device according to the present invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in further detail below, that cause the mobile device to perform at least the method steps b) and f) of the above-mentioned analysis method. Similarly, a computer-readable storage medium is disclosed, comprising instructions, when executed by a mobile device having a camera, in particular by a processor of the mobile device, more particularly by a mobile device according to the present invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in further detail below, that cause the mobile device to perform at least the method steps b) and f) of the above-mentioned analysis method. As used herein, the term "computer-readable storage medium" may specifically refer to a non-transitory data storage means, such as a hardware storage medium, on which computer-executable instructions are stored. A computer-readable data carrier or storage medium may specifically be or include a storage medium, such as a random access memory (RAM) and / or a read-only memory (ROM).

[0077] In a further aspect, a computer program is disclosed, comprising instructions which, when executed by a coordination system according to the invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below, cause the coordination system to perform a coordination method according to the invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below. Similarly, a computer readable storage medium is disclosed, comprising instructions which, when executed by a coordination system according to the invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below, cause the coordination system to perform a coordination method according to the invention, such as according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or according to any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below.

[0078] The system and device according to the invention provide a number of advantages over known methods and devices of a similar kind. In particular, improved and / or new techniques can be used to take into account a huge amount of combined influencing factors and the continuous release of new smartphones, without the need for pre-generation of training data in a dedicated study. Users can at least partially generate the training data themselves and contribute to the improvement of the analytical measurements, such as repeatedly or continuously. This allows user-specific adjustments to be performed on the mobile device, and user-specific profiles can be generated and used by individual users, taking into account their individual habits, individual capabilities, individual health situations, individual life situations, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, extensive market research, which is typically expensive and often not available on an ongoing basis, can be avoided. Optimization and fail-safe measures may be performed immediately and continuously, and may be avoided by providing user-specific profile complaints by individual users.

[0080] Training data can be collected over the Internet, such as by using TCP / IP or other protocols such as Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). User profiles and profile-specific measurement setting adjustments can be derived, such as by deriving optimized or at least improved measurement settings. Thus, by way of example, measurement settings can be derived that reference one or more of measurement sequences, measurement algorithm fail-safes, or other customer-specific characteristics. In particular, cloud processing can be used to obtain more detailed user processing data and / or individual health status data and make the data available to provide measurement setting adjustments.

[0081] The training data may utilize one or more sensors internal and / or external to the mobile phone used in one or more of steps i) and / or b), among which various sensors may be used, such as, by way of example, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a GPS sensor, a barometer, a Hall sensor, a thermometer, or biometric sensors such as a fingerprint sensor and / or an iris sensor. Sensor data from one or more of these internal or external sensors may also be added to the training data generated in one or more of steps i) and / or b) and used to derive a user-specific profile, such as a handling pattern.

[0082] Additionally or alternatively, health data such as heart rate may be elevated in one or both of steps i) and / or b) and added to the training data. By way of example, the training data may take into account data provided via one or more health apps such as Samsung health or Apple health. These health app data may provide additional customer and / or customer group specific information. Thus, the present invention allows for the training data including data obtained in one or both of steps i) or b) to be combined with other data obtained by other means other than analyte measurements. Thus, the analyte measurement training data combined with other data such as user related data may be used to derive profile specific measurement setting adjustments such as validity fail-safe checks or other adjustments. Furthermore, a base model for the user group may be generated, for example for each user group, by providing a user profile, such as indicating that the user is a new user with type 2 diabetes. Profile specific measurement setting adjustments may be provided to individual users by learning from previous training, such as by performing multiple analyte measurements such as blood glucose measurements.

[0083] Profile-specific measurement setting adjustments can, for example, take into account the user's daily routine. Thus, for example, in the case of blood glucose measurements, a typical user profile can be based on the daily assumption of having breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, specific adaptations can be implemented for shift workers or other dietary adjustments.

[0084] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments can take into account the personal skills or experience of the user in step i) and / or the individual user in step b). As an example, advanced control of the measurement sequence can be implemented in the adjustments. For this purpose, the handling of the analyte measurements using the mobile phone by the user can be analyzed in order to identify handling optimization possibilities and / or fail-safe options. As an example, acceleration sensor data and / or gyroscope data can be implemented in the training data generated in step i) and / or the user-specific training data in step b). As an example, timing can be taken when using an app running on the mobile device. There, timing tracking data or screen tracking data can be generated, such as data referring to the questions how long each screen was viewed and / or how quickly the next step was initiated by the user. This allows user-specific handling procedures to be identified, such as how long each screen was viewed by the user. Furthermore, the movement data can be used to identify when and how the mobile device was moved in order to deactivate the level of experience. Furthermore, the profiles can be classified into good and bad profiles or into other categories depending on the evaluation criteria. Further, additionally or alternatively, a fitness app running on the mobile device can be used to detect what type of sport is being performed in order to train standard measurement sequences and variations thereof.

[0085] Further examples of user-specific measurement setting adjustments are adjustments that allow for certain inconsistencies and / or blurring in the image. Thus, typically, images require a certain quality that can be captured in one or both of steps i) and b) and automatically checked by the software. However, it may be desirable to tolerate a certain amount of motion blur for a certain user group, such as people with tremors. Again, acceleration sensor data and / or gyroscope data can be used to assess the user's physical condition in one or both of steps ii) or c). Thus, by way of example, at least one user group with tremors can be identified, and profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for this user group can mean lowering the quality requirements for the images. For a standard profile, the recorded images can be analyzed to detect motion blur and images with motion blur above a certain tolerance can be rejected. Thereby, in the standard profile, the correct orientation of the camera relative to the test strip can be guaranteed and images in which the mobile phone is still moving when capturing the image can be rejected. However, the tolerance level can be lowered for users with strong tremors to allow these users to participate in the measurement. Typically, a clear image is not a strict prerequisite for deriving information for measuring color and therefore obtaining analyte measurement data. The analysis in one or both of steps ii) and c) can also distinguish between motion blur resulting from larger movements of the mobile device in space and blur resulting from semi-periodic movements due to tremor.

[0086] In summary, without excluding further possible embodiments, the following embodiments can be envisaged:

[0087] Embodiment 1: A method of adjusting measurement settings for an analytical method of determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, the analytical method comprising using a mobile device having a camera, the analytical method further comprising taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using the camera, the analytical method further comprising determining at least one analyte concentration value from a color development of the test field; This adjustment method is i) performing a plurality of analyte measurements by a plurality of users, the analyte measurements comprising, at least in part, taking an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera to thereby obtain training data for the analyte measurements; ii) analyzing the training data obtained in step i), thereby identifying similarities in the training data, and identifying a plurality of user profiles according to the similarities in the training data; iii) providing profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for at least one of the user profiles; and 2. A method of adjusting the

[0088] Embodiment 2: The training data is - information derived from the image, in particular color information derived from the image; - information derived from at least one color reference card visible in the image, - analyte measurements derived from the images; - sensor data obtained by using at least one sensor of the user's mobile phone, in particular an angle sensor, a light sensor, a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, in particular a Hall sensor, a GPS sensor, a pressure sensor, in particular a barometer, a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, in particular a fingerprint sensor and / or an iris scanning sensor, - sensor data acquired using at least one external sensor; - configuration information regarding settings of the user's mobile device for performing the analyte measurement, in particular configuration information regarding at least one of the following: illumination, sensitivity, exposure time, gamma correction; - health information about the user, in particular health information obtained from a health application running on the user's mobile device; The adjustment method according to embodiment 1, comprising at least one of the following:

[0089] Embodiment 3: The adjustment method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein step ii) comprises using at least one self-learning algorithm, in particular by using at least one artificial intelligence, more particularly by using one or more of a trained model and an artificial neural network, more particularly by using a convolutional neural network.

[0090] Embodiment 4: The adjustment method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the adjustment method includes transmitting the training data obtained in step i) from the user's mobile device to at least one evaluation server device, more specifically a cloud-based evaluation server device, and at least step ii) and optionally also step iii) are performed by the evaluation server device.

[0091] Embodiment 5: The profile-specific measurement setting adjustment is performed, at least in part, by: - handling procedures for analyte measurements; - Phone hardware settings, - Phone software settings, - instructions given to the user by the mobile phone; - the confidence in the measurement result of the analyte measurement, - acceptable parameter tolerances when performing analyte measurements; - a timing sequence for performing an analyte measurement; - a fail-safe algorithm for performing analyte measurements; - improving the accuracy of analyte measurement.

[0092] Embodiment 6: The adjustment method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the similarity identified in step ii) refers, at least in part, to the lighting conditions when performing step i).

[0093] Embodiment 7: The adjustment method described in embodiment 6, wherein the profile-specific measurement setting adjustment at least partially refers to a camera adjustment when performing step i), specifically a camera adjustment that refers to at least one of the camera sensitivity and exposure time.

[0094] Embodiment 8: The adjustment method of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the similarity identified in step ii) refers, at least in part, to the user's tremor when performing step i).

[0095] Embodiment 9: The adjustment method described in embodiment 8, wherein the profile-specific measurement setting adjustment refers, at least in part, to one or more of the tolerance of the movement of the mobile phone when performing step i) and the image blur of the image captured in step i).

[0096] Embodiment 10: An analytical method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, comprising using a mobile device having a camera, the method comprising taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using the camera, the method further comprising determining at least one analyte concentration value from a color development of the test field, the method comprising: a) carrying out the preparation method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9; b) performing, by at least one individual user, a plurality of analyte measurements, the analyte measurements including, at least in part, capturing an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, thereby obtaining user-specific training data for the analyte measurements; c) analyzing the user-specific training data obtained in step b) and assigning individual users to at least one individual user profile of the user profiles; d) providing user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for individual user profiles; , an analytical method.

[0097] Embodiment 11: Before step b), e) The method of analysis according to embodiment 10, further comprising assigning individual users to predefined starting profiles.

[0098] Embodiment 12: The analysis method described in embodiment 10 or 11 referring to the analysis method, wherein the analysis method includes transmitting the user-specific training data acquired in step b) from an individual user's mobile device to at least one evaluation server device, more specifically a cloud-based evaluation server device, and steps c) and d) are performed, at least in part, by the evaluation server device.

[0099]

[0046] Embodiment 13: The analysis method of embodiment 12, wherein user profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for each individual user profile are sent from the assessment server device to the mobile device of each individual user.

[0100] Embodiment 14:f) The method of analysis of embodiment 13, further comprising performing at least one analyte measurement by an individual user using the individual user's mobile device, the analyte measurement comprising, at least in part, taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, and evaluating the at least one image to derive at least one measure of a concentration of an analyte in the bodily fluid, the analyte measurement being performed by using user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user.

[0101] Embodiment 15: The analysis method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 14 referring to the analysis method, wherein the user-specific training data comprises the training data defined in embodiment 2.

[0102] Embodiment 16: The analytical method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 15 referring to the analytical method, wherein step c) comprises using at least one self-learning algorithm, in particular by using at least one artificial intelligence, more in particular by using an artificial neural network, more in particular by using a convolutional neural network.

[0103] Embodiment 17: A regulation system for carrying out the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, comprising: I) a receiving device for receiving training data relating to analytical measurements, the training data being obtained by a plurality of users performing a plurality of analyte measurements, the analyte measurements including, at least in part, taking an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using a camera, thereby obtaining the training data relating to the analyte measurements; II) an assessment server device configured to perform step ii) of the adjustment method and, optionally, also configured to perform step iii) of the adjustment method, i.e. to provide a profile-specific measurement setting adjustment for at least one of the user profiles; III) a transmitting device for transmitting the profile-specific measurement configuration adjustments provided in step ii); An adjustment system comprising:

[0104] Embodiment 18: The coordination system of embodiment 17, wherein the receiving device comprises a wireless data receiving device and the transmitting device comprises a wireless data transmitting device.

[0105] Embodiment 19: The adjustment system of embodiment 17 or 18, wherein the evaluation server device comprises a cloud-based evaluation server device.

[0106] Embodiment 20: A mobile device having at least one camera, - carrying out step b) of the analysis method according to any one of embodiments 10 to 16, - receiving user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user profiles provided in step d); A mobile device configured to:

[0107] Embodiment 21: A mobile device as described in embodiment 20, wherein the mobile device is further configured to perform step f) according to the analysis method as described in embodiment 14 by using measurement setting adjustments specific to a user profile of an individual user.

[0108] Embodiment 22: A mobile device as described in embodiment 20 or 21 referring to a mobile device, wherein the mobile device further comprises at least one processor.

[0109] Embodiment 23: A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a mobile device having a camera, in particular by a processor of the mobile device, more in particular by a mobile device as described in any one of embodiments 20 to 22, cause the mobile device to perform at least method steps b) and f) of the analysis method as described in embodiment 14.

[0110] Embodiment 24: A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a mobile device having a camera, in particular by a processor of the mobile device, more particularly by a mobile device described in any one of embodiments 20 to 21, cause the mobile device to perform at least method steps b) and f) of the analysis method described in embodiment 14.

[0111] Embodiment 25: A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an adjustment system described in any one of embodiments 17 to 19, cause the adjustment system to perform the adjustment method described in any one of embodiments 1 to 9.

[0112] Embodiment 26: A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions, which, when executed by a coordination system described in any one of embodiments 17 to 19, cause the coordination system to perform a method described in any one of embodiments 1 to 9. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0113] Further optional features and embodiments are disclosed in more detail in the following description of the embodiments, preferably in conjunction with the dependent claims. In it, each optional feature may be realized in an independent manner as well as in any possible combination, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrated diagrammatically in the figures, in which the same reference signs in these figures refer to the same or functionally comparable elements.

[0114] The diagram is as follows: [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a coordination system and a mobile device. [Diagram 2] 4 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of an adjustment method for adjusting measurement settings for an analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of an analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. [Figure 4] 1 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of an analytical method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0115] 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a coordination system 110 and a mobile device 112 according to the present invention. Additionally, a number of users 114 are symbolically shown, each having their own mobile device 112.

[0116] The mobile device 112 has at least one camera 116 and at least one processor 118. Furthermore, the mobile device 112 is configured to at least partially execute an analysis method 120 for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, and at least partially execute an adjustment method 122 for adjusting measurement settings of the analysis method 120. The analysis method 120 is described in detail in Figures 3 and 4. The adjustment method 122 is described in Figure 2.

[0117] The coordination system 110 includes an assessment server device 124, a receiving device 126, and a transmitting device 128. The receiving device 126 and the transmitting device 128 may be fully or partially identical and may be fully or partially implemented in the assessment server device 124. The assessment server device 124 may be embodied, fully or partially, as a cloud-based assessment server device 130.

[0118] The ratings server device 124 may be configured to communicate with both the mobile device 112 of the individual user 113 and the mobile devices 112 of the multiple users 114. In particular, as indicated by the two arrows pointing in opposite directions in FIG. 1 , at least one item of information can be transmitted to the ratings server device 124, and at least one item of information can be transmitted by the ratings server device 124 to one or both of the mobile device 112 of the individual user 113 and / or the mobile devices 112 of the multiple users 114.

[0119] The processor 118 of each mobile device 112 can be configured to capture and process an image of an optical test strip 132 having a test field 134 captured by the camera 116 of the mobile device 112 .

[0120] A flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the adjustment method 122 is shown in Fig. 2. The adjustment method 122 is adapted to adjust the measurement settings of an analysis method 120 for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid. The analysis method 120 is described in detail in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0121] The adjustment method 122 specifically includes the following steps, which may be performed in a given order. Furthermore, different orders may be possible. Two or more method steps may be performed fully or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, one, more than one, or all of the method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. The adjustment method 122 may include additional method steps that are not listed. The method steps of the adjustment method 122 are as follows: i) performing a plurality of analyte measurements by a plurality of users 114 (indicated by reference numeral 136), the analyte measurements being performed, at least in part, by using a camera 116 to capture an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip 132 having a test field 134, thereby obtaining training data for the analyte measurements; ii) (indicated by reference numeral 138) analyzing the training data obtained in step i) 136, thereby identifying similarities in the training data, and identifying a plurality of user profiles according to the similarities in the training data; and iii) Providing profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for at least one of the user profiles (indicated by reference numeral 140).

[0122] In particular, the training data may include color information derived from an image, information from at least one color reference card, analyte measurements derived from an image, sensor data obtained by using at least one sensor of the user's mobile device 112 or by at least one external sensor, configuration information regarding the settings of the user's mobile device 112, or health information about the user obtained from a health app running on the user's mobile device 112.

[0123] The training data obtained in step i) 136 can be transmitted from the mobile devices 112 of the plurality of users 114 to at least one assessment server device 124, in particular a cloud-based assessment server device 130. Step ii) 138 and optionally step iii) 140 can be executed on the assessment server device 124. Step ii) 138 of the adjustment method 122 can include using at least one self-learning algorithm, in particular by using at least one artificial intelligence, more particularly by using one or more of trained models and artificial neural networks, more particularly by using a convolutional neural network. Thus, by identifying the plurality of user profiles according to similarities in the training data, the users of the plurality of users 114 can be classified into a plurality of categories, in particular at least two different categories, and the users assigned to a particular category can have the same or at least similar user profiles, at least with respect to a particular characteristic. As an example, the similarities obtained in step ii) 138 from analyzing the training data can at least partially refer to the tremor of the user when performing step i) 136.

[0124] In step iii) 140, profile-specific measurement setting adjustments are provided for at least one of the user profiles. The profile-specific measurement setting adjustments refer, at least in part, to handling procedures for analyte measurements, hardware and / or software settings of the mobile device 112, instructions given to the user by the mobile device 112, confidence in the measurement results of the analyte measurements, tolerance levels of acceptable parameters when performing the analyte measurements, timing sequences or fail-safe algorithms for performing the analyte measurements, and / or improved analyte measurement accuracy. In particular, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments may include, for example, an increased tolerance for motion blur compared to a user of a profile that does not exhibit frequent tremors. In this example, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments refer, at least in part, to one or more of a tolerance for movement of the mobile device 112 when performing step i) 136 and image blur of the image captured in step i) 136.

[0125] As another example, user categories "experienced" and "inexperienced" can be defined in step ii) 138, such as according to a particular set of variables indicative of a particular skill of the user or a particular reaction or reaction time. If the user profile is that of an experienced user, the user instructions, e.g., the instructions displayed on the display of the mobile device 112, may be less extensive compared to user instructions displayed for a user with a profile indicative of less experience.

[0126] Additionally, the similarities identified in step ii) 138 may refer at least in part to lighting conditions when performing step i) 136. Thus, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments may refer at least in part to camera adjustments when performing step i) 136, in particular camera 116 adjustments that refer to at least one of the sensitivity and exposure time of the camera 116.

[0127] An example of an analytical method 120 for determining the concentration of an analyte in a body fluid is shown as a flow chart in FIG. 3. The analytical method 120 comprises the use of a mobile device 112 with a camera 116, for example by an individual user 113. The method comprises taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip 132 with a test field 134 by using the camera 116, for example by an individual user 113 using a mobile device 112 with the camera 116. From the color development of the test field 134, at least one analyte concentration value is determined. The analytical method 120 further comprises the following steps, which may in particular be performed in a predefined order. Furthermore, different orders may also be possible. Two or more method steps may be fully or partially performed simultaneously. Furthermore, one, more than one or all method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. The analytical method 120 may comprise additional steps not listed. The analytical method 120 comprises the following method steps: a) carrying out the adjustment method 122 according to any one of claims 1 to 9, b) performing a plurality of analyte measurements by at least one individual user (indicated by reference numeral 142), the analyte measurements including, at least in part, taking an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip 132 having a test field 134 by using a camera 116, thereby obtaining user-specific training data of the individual user 113 with respect to the analyte measurements; c) (indicated by reference numeral 144) analyzing the user-specific training data acquired in step b) 142 and assigning individual users 113 to at least one individual user profile of the user profiles; and d) Providing user-profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for individual user profiles (indicated by reference numeral 146).

[0128] 4, the analysis method 120 can include an additional step e) 148 in which an individual user is assigned to a predefined starting profile. Another additional step f) 150 can include performing at least one analyte measurement by the individual user 113 using the individual user's mobile device 112.

[0129] Further, the analyte measurement includes, at least in part, capturing at least one image of at least a portion of the optical test strip 132 having the test field 134 by using the camera 116. The at least one image is evaluated to derive at least one measurement of the concentration of the analyte of the bodily fluid. The analyte measurement can include a change in at least one optical property of the optical test strip 132, which can be measured or visually determined by the camera 116. In particular, the measurement can be or can include a color reaction in the presence of the at least one analyte to be determined. The color reaction can be detected by the mobile device 112, such as by the processor 118 of the mobile device 112, and can be quantitatively evaluated, such as by deriving from the at least one image at least one parameter that quantifies or characterizes the color development of the test field 134 due to the presence of the analyte in the bodily fluid. To determine the analyte concentration from the color development of the test field 134, at least one correlation, such as a correlation function, for converting the color development of the test field 134 into an analyte concentration value can be used, for example at least one correlation provided in the mobile device 112. The analyte measurement is performed by using measurement setting adjustments specific to the user profile of the individual user. A corresponding flow chart is shown in FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] List of Reference Numbers 110 Adjustment System 112 Mobile Devices 113 Individual Users 114 Multiple Users 116 Cameras 118 processors 120 Analysis method 122 Adjustment method 124 Evaluation server device 126 Receiving Equipment 128 Transmitting Device 130 Cloud-based evaluation server device 132 Optical Test Strips 134 Test Field 136 Step i) 138 Step ii) 140 Step iii) 142 Step b) 144 Step c) 146 Step d) 148 Step e) 150 steps f)

Claims

1. 1. A method of adjusting measurement settings for an analytical method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, the analytical method comprising using a mobile device having a camera, the analytical method further comprising taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip having a test field by using the camera, the analytical method further comprising determining at least one analyte concentration value from a color development of the test field; The adjustment method (122) i) performing a plurality of analyte measurements by a plurality of users (114), the analyte measurements being performed, at least in part, by using the camera (116) to capture an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134), thereby obtaining training data for the analyte measurements, the training data comprising: information derived from said image, information derived from at least one color reference card visible in said image, - analyte measurements derived from said images; - sensor data obtained by using at least one sensor of the mobile device (112) of said user, - sensor data acquired by using at least one external sensor; configuration information regarding the configuration of the user's mobile device (112) for performing the analyte measurements; - health information relating to said user; and ii) analyzing the training data obtained in step i) (136), thereby identifying similarities in the training data and identifying a plurality of user profiles according to the similarities in the training data, wherein the identified similarities are determined, at least in part, by: the lighting conditions when performing step i) (136), - the tremor of said user when performing step i) (136) At least one of the following: iii) providing a profile-specific measurement setting adjustment for at least one of the user profiles, the profile-specific measurement setting adjustment referring to at least one specific setting for performing the at least one analyte measurement by the user, the user belonging to a particular user profile, and the profile-specific measurement setting adjustment being at least in part: - handling procedures for said analyte measurements, - the hardware configuration of said mobile device (112), - the software settings of said mobile device (112), - instructions given to said user by said mobile device (112), the confidence in the measurement result of said analyte measurement, - acceptable parameter tolerances when performing said analyte measurements; - a timing sequence for performing said analyte measurements; a fail-safe algorithm for performing said analyte measurement; - Improved analyte measurement accuracy providing a profile-specific measurement setting adjustment, The adjustment method (122).

2. The method of adjusting (122) of claim 1, wherein step ii) (138) comprises using at least one self-learning algorithm.

3. 3. The adjustment method (122) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment method (122) comprises transmitting the training data obtained in step i) (136) from the user's mobile device (112) to at least one assessment server device (124), and at least step ii) (138) is performed by the assessment server device (124).

4. The adjustment method (122) of claim 1, wherein the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments refer, at least in part, to camera adjustments when performing step i) (136).

5. 1. An analytical method (120) for determining a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid, comprising using a mobile device (112) having a camera (116), the method comprising taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134) by using the camera (116), the method further comprising determining at least one analyte concentration value from a color development of the test field (134), the method comprising: a) carrying out a regulation method (122) according to any one of claims 1 to 4; b) performing, by at least one individual user (113), a plurality of analyte measurements, said analyte measurements being performed, at least in part, by using said camera (116) to capture an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134), thereby obtaining user-specific training data for said analyte measurements; c) analyzing the user-specific training data acquired in step b) (142) and assigning the individual user (113) to at least one individual user profile of the user profiles; d) providing user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for said individual user profiles; The method of analysis (120).

6. Before step b) (142), The method of analysis (120) of claim 5, further comprising: e) assigning said individual user (113) to a predefined starting profile.

7. The analysis method (120) according to claim 5 or 6, referring to the analysis method (120), further comprising transmitting the user-specific training data obtained in step b) (142) from the individual user's mobile device (112) to at least one assessment server device (124), and steps c) (144) and d) (146) being performed, at least in part, by the assessment server device (124).

8. 8. The method of analysis (120) of claim 7, wherein the user profile-specific measurement setting adjustments for the individual user profile are transmitted from the assessment server device (124) to the individual user's mobile device (112).

9. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: performing at least one analyte measurement by the individual user (113) using the individual user's mobile device (112), the analyte measurement comprising, at least in part, taking at least one image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134) by using the camera (116) and evaluating the at least one image to derive at least one measure of the concentration of the analyte in the bodily fluid, the analyte measurement being performed by using measurement setting adjustments specific to the user profile for the individual user (113).

10. The method of analysis (120) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein step c) (144) comprises using at least one self-learning algorithm.

11. A regulation system (110) for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: I) a receiving device (126) for receiving training data relating to analyte measurements, said training data being acquired by a plurality of users (114) performing a plurality of analyte measurements, said analyte measurements including, at least in part, taking an image of at least a portion of an optical test strip (132) having a test field (134) by using said camera (116), thereby acquiring training data relating to said analyte measurements; II) an assessment server device (124) configured to perform step ii) (138) of the adjustment method (122) of any one of claims 1 to 4; III) a transmitting device (128) for transmitting the profile-specific measurement setting adjustments provided in step ii) (138); A regulation system (110).

12. A mobile device (112) having at least one camera (116), - carrying out step b) (142) of the analysis method (120) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, receiving said user profile specific measurement setting adjustments for said individual user profile provided in step d) (146); A mobile device (112) configured to:

13. 10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a mobile device having a camera, cause the mobile device to perform at least method steps b) and f) of the analysis method of claim 9.

14. 10. A computer readable storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by a mobile device (112) having a camera (116), cause the mobile device (112) to perform at least method steps b) (142) and f) (150) of the analysis method (150) of claim 9.

15. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an adjustment system (110) according to claim 11, cause the adjustment system (110) to perform the adjustment method (122) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a coordination system (110) according to claim 11, cause the coordination system (110) to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Portable medical diagnostic systems and methods using a mobile device

    US20140072189A1

  • Training image adjustment preferences

    US20160104057A1

  • Method and apparatus for performing and quantifying color changes induced by specific concentrations of biological analytes in an automatically calibrated environment

    WO2014025415A2

  • Smartphone-based apparatus and method for obtaining repeatable, quantitative colorimetric measurement

    WO2014113770A1