Glucose Meter Ambient Parameter Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical analyte testing systems, such as handheld blood glucose meters, face challenges in ensuring reliable test results due to environmental influences like humidity and temperature, which affect the stability of test chemistry, leading to a need for a dynamic approach to set a permissible exposure period for test elements.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves measuring ambient parameters like temperature and humidity using an auxiliary unit in a handheld meter, comparing them to preset thresholds, and adjusting the use-up period of test magazines based on these measurements to extend or limit the operational time, thereby accounting for individual stress history and preventing unreliable tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed use-up period is set based on worst-case environmental stress, then reliable measurements are guaranteed, but the use-up period is unnecessarily short under favorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed use-up period to a dynamic, adjustable use-up period. The system continuously monitors environmental parameters (temperature, humidity) and adjusts the use-up period accordingly - extending it when conditions are favorable and shortening it when conditions deteriorate, thus optimizing both reliability and duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring environmental parameters and using this information to adjust the use-up period. The system monitors temperature and humidity in real-time, compares them against thresholds, and dynamically modifies the permissible exposure period based on the accumulated stress history, creating a closed-loop control system
2Duration of action of moving object
If environmental monitoring is continuously performed, then the use-up period can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating environmental monitoring functions into the existing handheld meter's auxiliary measuring unit. The same processor and display that handle analyte measurement results are also used to process environmental data and communicate use-up period status, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by automatically monitoring environmental conditions and adjusting the use-up period without requiring user intervention. The processor autonomously evaluates environmental stress, calculates the optimized use-up period, and manages the test magazine validity, freeing the user from manual tracking or adjustment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for a prolonged use-up period under favorable conditions, detects critical interferences, and prevents the use of unreliable test elements, ensuring accurate results while maintaining user convenience by dynamically adjusting the test magazine's operational time based on environmental stress.
Implementation Method 1
measuring at least one ambient parameter including at least one of temperature and humidity by means of an auxiliary measuring unit of the handheld meter
Implementation Method 2
measuring at least one ambient parameter including at least one of temperature and humidity by means of an auxiliary measuring unit of the handheld meter
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a medical analyte testing system having a handheld meter, particularly, a glucose meter, and a test magazine is disclosed. In the disclosed method a replaceable test magazine including a plurality of test elements is provided in the handheld meter for conducting successive analyte tests. An auxiliary measuring unit of the handheld meter measures at various points of time at least one ambient parameter, including temperature or humidity. The method checks for a threshold violation by comparing the measured ambient parameter with a preset threshold. The preset threshold is lowered after an initial period of use of the test magazine, and a use-up period is adjusted based on the check for a threshold violation.