U.S. patent application number 10/782271 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-19 for minimally invasive methods of monitoring analyte concentration.
Invention is credited to Sohrab, Borzu.
Application Number | 20040162473 10/782271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25346321 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040162473 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sohrab, Borzu |
August 19, 2004 |
Minimally invasive methods of monitoring analyte concentration
Abstract
A method of monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a host
or portion thereof over a given period of time. The method includes
the steps of: (a) making a first analyte concentration measurement
at a first point of time using a single use analyte concentration
measuring device; (b) making a second analyte concentration
measurement at a second point in time using a single use analyte
concentration measuring device; and (c) making one or more
additional analyte concentration measurements using another single
use measuring device, wherein the analyte concentration
measurements are made according to a selected schedule to monitor
the concentration of analyte in a host over a given portion of
time.
Inventors: |
Sohrab, Borzu; (Los Altos,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOZICEVIC, FIELD & FRANCIS LLP
200 MIDDLEFIELD RD
SUITE 200
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
25346321 |
Appl. No.: |
10/782271 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10782271 |
Feb 18, 2004 |
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10379463 |
Mar 3, 2003 |
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6738654 |
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10379463 |
Mar 3, 2003 |
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09865826 |
May 25, 2001 |
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6549796 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/345 ;
600/347; 604/66; 604/891.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/681 20130101;
A61B 5/14532 20130101; A61B 5/14514 20130101; A61B 5/0002 20130101;
G01N 33/50 20130101; G01N 33/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/345 ;
600/347; 604/891.1; 604/066 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/05; A61M
037/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of monitoring the concentration of analyte in a host,
said method comprising: selecting a time period over which said
analyte concentration is monitored; selecting a scheduling mode for
monitoring said analyte concentration over said time period; making
two or more analyte concentration measurements during said time
period according to said scheduling mode, wherein said measurements
are made automatically without human intervention; modifying said
scheduling mode based on results of said two or more analyte
concentration measurements; and making one or more additional
analyte concentration measurements during said time period
according to said modified scheduling mode, wherein said additional
measurements are made automatically without human intervention.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said scheduling mode comprises a
measurement frequency.
3. The method of claim, 2 wherein said modifying said scheduling
mode comprises increasing said measurement frequency.
4 The method of claim 1, wherein each of said measurements and said
additional measurements are performed using a single use analyte
concentration measurement means.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said host comprises interstitial
fluid.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said measurements and said
additional measurements are made in situ.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said measurements and said
additional measurements are made ex vivo.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said method employs a device that
comprises: a plurality of measurement means; and an activation
means that activates each of said plurality of measurement means
according to a predetermined schedule.
9. A method of monitoring the concentration of analyte in a host,
said method comprising: selecting a time period over which said
analyte concentration is monitored; selecting a scheduling mode for
monitoring said analyte concentration over said time period; making
a plurality of analyte concentration measurements during said time
period according to said scheduling mode, wherein said measurements
are made automatically without human intervention; and temporarily
interrupting said scheduling mode to make an analyte concentration
measurement during said time period, wherein said measurement is
made with human intervention.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/865,826, filed May 25, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of this invention is analyte determination.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Analyte detection in physiological fluids, e.g., blood or
blood derived products, interstitial fluid, etc., is of ever
increasing importance to today's society. Analyte detection assays
find use in a variety of applications, including clinical
laboratory testing, home testing, etc., where the results of such
testing play a prominent role in diagnosis and management in a
variety of disease conditions. Analytes of interest include glucose
for diabetes management, cholesterol, and the like. In response to
this growing importance of analyte detection, a variety of analyte
detection protocols and devices for both clinical and home use have
been developed.
[0004] Historically, blood glucose and other bodily analyte
measurements were invasive. Such measurements were generally made
by withdrawing a blood sample and measuring the desired analyte
within the blood or plasma. Blood samples were typically withdrawn
by inserting a needle into a major artery or, more commonly, a
vein. Such direct vascular blood sampling employed by these early
methods had several limitations, including pain, hematoma and other
bleeding complications, and infection. In addition, due to the
vascular damage resulting from the needle puncture, sampling could
not be repeated on a routine basis. Finally, it was extremely
difficult for patients to perform a direct vascular puncture on
themselves.
[0005] A more recent technique that has been developed to overcome
some of the disadvantages associated with the above protocols is to
collect a blood sample by cutting or lancing the skin and the
subcutaneous tissue, including the small, underlying blood vessels,
to produce a localized bleeding on the body surface. A lancet,
knife, or other cutting device is required. The blood on the body
surface is then collected into a small tube or other container. The
fingertip is the most frequently used site to collect blood in this
method due to the large number of small blood vessels located in
the region. One method is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,403. This
sampling method also suffers from several major disadvantages,
including pain and the potential for infection and other problems
associated with repeated sampling for a confined area. Pain is a
major disadvantage since the fingertip has a large concentration of
nerve endings. Also, there is a limited body surface area from
which to take these samples and measurement on a high frequency
basis.
[0006] Because the above described prior art invasive techniques
are painful, patients frequently avoid having blood glucose
measured. For diabetics, the failure to measure blood glucose on a
prescribed basis can be very dangerous. Also, the invasive
techniques, which result in lancing blood vessels, create an
enhanced risk for disease transmission.
[0007] Attempts have been made to develop glucose and other analyte
sensors for implantation in the human body. Advantages of such
implanted sensors include the ability to provide "continuous,"
chronic monitoring without having to consciously sample blood at
each measuring event. Despite the many potential advantages
provided by implanted sensors, development of a permanently
implanted or long-term, chronic implanted sensor has been
unsuccessful. Attempts to develop short-term implantable sensors
(up to 2-3 days) have also met with very limited success. Most
implantable sensors are based on measuring various products from
chemical reactions between agent(s) located on or within the sensor
and the desired analyte. Implanted glucose sensors have typically
used the glucose oxidase reaction to measure the amount of glucose,
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,819. Such implantable glucose
sensors have been intended for insertion through the epidermis and
dermis to the subcutaneous tissue. An alternative location
previously described for chronic sensor implant is the peritoneal
cavity. Implanted sensors typically require direct or telemetered
connection to a measurement instrument, usually located external
the body.
[0008] All implanted sensors are faced with several major problems.
First, all foreign materials, including materials incorporated into
a glucose sensor, produce unwanted body reactions. Such reactions
include the formation of fibrotic tissue around the sensor which
alters the sensor's contact with normal body fluids and analytes,
such as glucose. The body's natural defense mechanism may also have
a direct "poisoning" effect upon the sensor's operation by
interfering with the chemical reactions required by chemical-based
sensors. As with any implanted object, implanted sensors may also
initiate other bodily reactions including inflammation, pain,
tissue necrosis, infection, and other unwanted reactions.
[0009] Implanted sensors require certain chemicals and chemical
reactions to determine the level of analyte in the surrounding
medium. These chemical reactions are the source of the other major
problem facing any implantable sensor. Chemically-based sensors
require products to be consumed and other products to be produced
as part of the sensor's normal operations. Therefore, the sensors
can quickly be depleted of the chemical agents required to sustain
the desired chemical reactions. Secondly, by-products are given off
as a result of the basic chemical reaction. These by-products often
"poison" the sensor or cause other unwanted tissue reactivity.
Because of these severe limitations, implanted sensors are not
practical. Finally, such implanted sensors are painful to implant
and are a source of infection.
[0010] As such, while offering benefits over traditional analyte
measurement devices and protocols, such as continual, automated
monitoring of the analyte of interest, implantable analyte
concentration measurement devices currently available are
unsatisfactory for a number of reasons.
[0011] Accordingly, there is a continued interest in the
development of new analyte concentration measurement protocols and
devices. Of particular interest would be the development of a
continuous analyte concentration measurement system that does not
suffer from disadvantages experienced with implantable sensors, as
reviewed above.
Relevant Literature
[0012] U.S. Patents of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,680,628;
4,721,677; 5,002,054; 5,108,819; 5,161,532; 5,390,671, 5,582,184;
5,682,233; 5,746,217; 5,820,520; 5,879,310; 6,056,738; 6,086,545;
6,091,975; and 6,155,992.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
method for determining the analyte concentration in a host over a
period of time. The method comprising the steps of: (a) making a
first analyte concentration measurement at a first point of time
using a single use analyte concentration measuring device; (b)
making a second analyte concentration measurement at a second point
in time using a single use analyte concentration measuring device;
and (c) making one or more additional analyte concentration
measurements using another single use measuring device, wherein the
analyte concentration measurements are made according to a selected
schedule to monitor the concentration of analyte in a host over a
given portion of time.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
method of monitoring the concentration of glucose in interstitial
fluid of a host over a given period of time. The method comprising
the steps of: (a) making a first interstitial fluid glucose
concentration measurement at a first point in a time period using a
single use interstitial fluid glucose concentration measurement
device; (b) making a second interstitial fluid glucose
concentration measurement at a second point in the time period
using a single use interstitial fluid glucose concentration
measurement device; and (c) making one or more additional
interstitial fluid glucose concentration measurements according to
a predetermined schedule to monitor the concentration of glucose
over a period of time.
[0015] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
system for use in monitoring the concentration of analyte in a host
over a portion of time, the system comprising a removable
cartridge, the cartridge includes at lease a first and second
single use analyte concentration measuring devices. The system
further includes a device into which the cartridge may be inserted,
wherein the device includes an activation means for selectively
activating the first and second measurement devices of the
cartridge according to a predetermined schedule.
[0016] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
kit for use in monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a host
over a given period of time. The kit includes a removable
cartridge; the cartridge includes at lease a first and second
single use analyte concentration measuring devices. The system
further includes a device into which the cartridge may be inserted,
wherein the device includes an activation means for selectively
activating the first and second measurement devices of the
cartridge according to a predetermined schedule.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Methods and devices are provided for automatically
monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a host or portion
thereof, i.e., for automatically measuring the concentration of an
analyte at two or more points over a given time period. In the
subject methods, substantially painless single use analyte
concentration detection devices are employed to measure the
concentration of the analyte of interest in the host, or portion
thereof, e.g., interstitial fluid, where the measurements take
place automatically according to a predetermined schedule. Devices
provided by the subject invention have at least two different
substantially painless single use analyte concentration measurement
components that are under the control of an activation means that
activates the measurement components according to a schedule.
Various types of measurement scheduling modes are employable with
the present invention. For example, the schedule may be
predetermined according to either fixed times of day or fixed
intervals of time. The schedule may otherwise be "adaptive" in
response to immediate or short-term (i.e., within hours) preceding
data. Another type of scheduling is one that is "predictive" in
response to previous data collected over a longer period (i.e.,
over one or more days). The present invention may also provide an
"on-demand" mode where the physician or patient may override the
programmed measurement schedule and activate measurement of the
target analyte.
[0018] Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the
subject methods. The subject methods find use in monitoring the
concentration of a variety of different analytes of interest, and
are particularly suited for use in monitoring the concentration of
glucose in interstitial fluid.
[0019] Before the subject invention is described further, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the
particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope
of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the
terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope
of the present invention will be established by the appended
claims.
[0020] In this specification and the appended claims, singular
references include the plural, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific
terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to
one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs.
[0021] Methods
[0022] As summarized above, the subject invention is directed to
methods and devices for monitoring the concentration of an analyte
of interest in a host or portion thereof. By monitoring is meant
that the concentration of the analyte, of interest is measured two
or more times over a given time period, such that two or more
measurements of the analyte concentration are obtained for a given
time period. The given period of time may vary from 1 hour to
several hours, to days. However, the given period of time typically
ranges from about 1 hour to 2 days, and is often 2 to 8 hours.
Measuring the analyte concentration at least twice during the given
time period provides for the monitoring of the analyte
concentration during the time period.
[0023] A feature of the subject methods is that the monitoring is
automatic. In characterizing the monitoring as automatic, what is
meant is that the individual analyte measurements that make up the
monitoring protocol are made according to a schedule, typically
under the direction of an automatic activation means, as described
in greater detail infra. The predetermined scheduling modes can
provide exact points in time at which measurements are to be
made.
[0024] For predetermined "fixed interval" or periodic scheduling
modes, a plurality of measurements are made during a given period
of time when practicing the subject methods. While the number of
measurements that are made in a given period of time necessarily
varies at least in part with respect to the particular time period,
the time interval or duration between measurements is the same. For
example, where the period of time for collecting measurements is 8
hours, the number of measurements that are made is at least 4,
usually at least 8 and more usually at least 16, where the number
may be substantially higher, e.g., 24, 36, 48, or higher, depending
on the desired frequency of analyte concentration measurement for
the 8 hour period. Therefore, in a given period of time, individual
analyte concentration measurements may be made every 5 minutes,
every ten minutes, every 0.5 hours, every hour, every 2 hours,
every 4 hours, etc. For example, if measurements are to be made
every ten minutes during an 8 hour time period, the predetermined
schedule employed in the subject method would provide for
measurements to be taken at t=10 minutes, t=20 minutes, t=30
minutes, t=40 minutes, t=50 minutes and t=60 minutes, etc., as
measured from t=0, representing the start of testing. The
particular periodicity of analyte concentration measurements that
are made during a given time period when practicing the subject
methods is not critical, so long as at least two measurements are
made during the time period such that the analyte concentration is
monitored, and not just measured once.
[0025] For predetermined "fixed time" scheduling modes, a plurality
of measurements are also made during a given period of time when
practicing the subject methods. However, the interval at which the
measurements are conducted are not fixed but are pre-selected for
certain times of the day or night, such as 8 am, 9 am, 10:30 am and
11 am. This predetermined schedule can be programmed into the
activation means by either the patient or the healthcare
provider.
[0026] In other scheduling modes, the activation by which the
measurement means is initiated can be based on data previously
obtained within a certain period. This type of scheduling mode may
be adaptive or predictive. In an adaptive mode, measurements are
activated based on data received or collected in the recent past,
such as within the last 0.5 to 12 hours, for example. In a
predictive mode, measurements are activated based on data received
or collected over a greater period of time such as within the last
day or two. Such types of scheduling modes may be adjunct to a
predetermined scheduling mode wherein the adaptive or predictive
mode is activated based on previous measurement criteria which may
be out of a certain specified range, e.g., one that indicates a
rise or fall in the analyte concentration. For example, with
diabetic patients, an adaptive mode may be activated where several
of the more recent analyte measurements indicate that the change in
glucose concentration level is too rapid. With such patients, a
predictive mode may be activated if previous measurements indicate
a swing in glucose levels during, for example, the early morning
hours over the last few days. The new scheduling patterns invoked
by the adaptive or predictive modes may themselves be predetermined
with either fixed, partially fixed or unfixed measurement
intervals. For example, in the case of the diabetic who has
recently experienced a sharp rise or fall in his glucose
concentration level which has triggered an adaptive measurement
scheduling mode, a 5 minute-interval measurement schedule may be
invoked to closely monitor the glucose level if the situation
warrants additional measures, e.g., an immediate intake of glucose.
In the situation where changes in glucose levels generally occur
during a certain time of day and, thus, activate a predictive
scheduling mode, measurements may then be scheduled at 0.5
hour-intervals during the hours from 5 am to 9 am, for example, and
then revert to a more typical measurement schedule during the rest
of the day.
[0027] The present invention also provides for the optional feature
of scheduling "on-demand" in which the patient or healthcare
provider manually overrides the current scheduling mode and
immediately activates the measurement means. For example, a
diabetic patient may desire to know his or her current glucose
level before and/or after eating a food having high sugar content.
Upon an office visit by a patient, a physician may want to know the
patient's current glucose level.
[0028] Another feature of the subject methods is that each analyte
concentration measurement made during a given monitoring protocol
is made with a substantially painless single use analyte
concentration measurement means. By "single-use" is meant that the
analyte concentration means is one that is used only once, and then
not used again for analyte concentration measurement. As such, the
analyte concentration measurement means employed in the subject
invention are distinguished from the measurement means found in
conventional implantable sensors in that the conventional
implantable sensors are not single-use, i.e., they are used a
plurality of times. The analyte concentration measurement means
employed in the subject methods are preferably ones that are
precalibrated, i.e., do not need to be adjusted prior to taking the
anlayte measurement. By substantially painless it is meant that the
analyte concentration means of the subject invention causes the
host to experience little or no pain at any time during its use,
e.g., during activation or measurement, such as insertion, sampling
and withdrawal, while awake and during sleep.
[0029] As indicated above, the analyte concentration is monitored
in the subject methods in a host or portion thereof. Typically the
analyte concentration is measured in a portion of a host, e.g., a
biological fluid from a host. Biological fluids of interest include
blood and fractions thereof, e.g., serum, plasma, etc.,
interstitial fluid and the like. In certain embodiments, the
concentration of the analyte is measured in host biological fluid,
where the observed measurement is then used to derive the
concentration of the analyte in another portion of the host. For
example, in certain embodiments the analyte concentration is
measured in host interstitial fluid, where the measured value is
then used to derive the value of the analyte in the host blood.
[0030] Because a feature of the subject methods is the use of
substantially painless single use analyte concentration measurement
devices, the biological fluid that is measured in many embodiments
is interstitial fluid. Typically, the interstitial fluid (ISF) is
obtained from skin, where the ISF may be obtained from any
convenient portion(s) of the skin, e.g., the epidermal layer,
dermal layer, subdermal layer, etc.
[0031] A variety of ISF analyte measurement means, i.e.,
measurement means for measuring an analyte in ISF fluid, have been
developed and disclosed in the prior art, where these measurement
means may be readily adapted for use in the present invention.
These measurement means vary greatly in terms of configuration,
nature of analyte detection and measurement, e.g., optical based,
electrochemical etc., and the like. Representative measurement
means of interest include, but are not limited to, those means
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,746,217; 6,083,196; 5,591,139;
6,091,975 and the like, the disclosures of which are herein
incorporated by reference.
[0032] In many embodiments, the measurement means will include a
microneedle or analogous structure that is capable of being
inserted into the skin in a substantially painless manner to sample
ISF and measure the concentration of analyte in the resultant
sampled/accessed ISF. Such microneedle measurement means are
disclosed in the patents listed above and incorporated herein by
reference. The measurement means may be designed to measure the
analyte concentration in situ or ex vivo. As such, the measurement
means may measure the concentration of the analyte without
withdrawing the sample from the body, or may withdraw the sample
from the body and then measure the analyte concentration in the
withdrawn sample.
[0033] A variety of different analytes may be monitored using the
subject methods, but the subject invention is particularly useful
where the analyte of interest is glucose, because of the
consequences of hypo- and hyperglycemia, if undetected over long
periods.
[0034] In practicing the subject methods of monitoring analyte
concentration in a host or portion thereof, two or more analyte
concentration measurements are made during a given time period
using separate or previously unused single use substantially
painless analyte concentration measurement means, as described
above, for each distinct or disparate measurement. The resultant
measurements are then employed as a set as desired, depending on
the particular application in which the subject monitoring step is
being used, where representative applications are described in
greater detail infra. The set of measured analyte concentrations
may be used in raw form, or processed as desired, e.g., fit to a
curve, etc., depending on the particular application in which the
monitoring finds use. In this way, the analyte concentration is
monitored in a host, or portion thereof, e.g., interstitial
fluid.
[0035] Devices and Systems
[0036] Also provided are devices and systems for use in practicing
the subject methods, as described above. The devices and systems of
the subject invention include at least a first and second single
use substantially painless analyte measurement means, as described
above. As indicated above, the analyte measurements means of the
subject devices may vary, depending on the particular region or
portion of the host, the nature of the sample, the nature of the
analyte, etc., where the measurement means may employ optical
measurement, electrochemical measurement, or other specific
measurement means. In many embodiments, the measurement means of
the subject devices are ISF analyte concentration measurement
means, as reviewed above.
[0037] While the device and systems of the subject invention
include at least a first and second analyte measurement means, they
typically include more than two measurement means, where the number
of measurement means may be 4, 8, 16, 24 or higher, depending on
the particular nature of the device.
[0038] In certain embodiments, the measurement means may be present
on a cartridge or analogous means that can be separated or removed
from the remainder of the device, such that when all of the
measurement means of a given cartridge are employed, the cartridge
may be removed and replaced with another cartridge, such that the
whole device need not be discarded. In yet other embodiments, the
measurement means may be integral and non-removable from the
remainder of the device, such that when the last of the measurement
means is employed, the device is discarded. Because of the lower
cost and efficiency of resource use provided by the cartridge
embodiments of the device, embodiments that include a removable
cartridge that provides for the measurement means are preferred in
many embodiments.
[0039] In addition to the measurement means, the subject devices
and systems also include a measurement activation means. The
measurement activation means is a means capable of activating each
of the measurement means of the device according to a predetermined
or pre-set schedule. Typically, the activation means is made up of
suitable hardware and software components, e.g., a microprocessor
under the control of a suitable algorithm, that provide for
selective activation of each of the measurement means according to
the desired predetermined schedule. In other words, the various
components that make up the activation means are capable of
activating each of the measurement means according to the
measurement scheduling mode that controls the activation means.
Typically, the activation means includes an algorithm that provides
the instructions to the hardware component of the activation means
for activating each of the measurement means according to the
selected scheduling mode. The particular nature of the activation
means is not critical to the device, so long as it is capable of
providing for activation of the measurement means according to the
desired predetermined schedule. The activation means may be readily
generated from currently known and available components without
undue experimentation on the part of one ordinarily skilled in the
art.
[0040] The activation means that is present in the device may be a
"learning" activation means, in that it may be able to
automatically modify a predetermined activation schedule according
to which it activates the individual measurement means, where the
modification of the schedule is based on previous analyte
concentration measurements and trends thereof, e.g., patterns of
analyte concentration observed by the activation means. For
example, where the analyte is glucose and initial measurements made
according to the predetermined schedule indicate a rapid decrease
in glucose concentration that warrant an increase in the
measurement frequency, the activation means may be programmed to
recognize such a pattern and change or adapt the activation
frequency accordingly.
[0041] In addition to the activation means that automatically
activate each individual measurement means of the device, the
device may also include a means for manually activating a
measurement means on command. For example, the device may include a
button, lever or analogous means that can be manipulated at will to
provide for an instant measurement of analyte concentration
"on-demand".
[0042] The device may also include a processing means for
collecting the raw analyte concentration measurement data from the
measurement means and processing it as needed/desired into a final
desired format. As such, the processing means may include date
processing algorithms that convert the data into a desired format,
e.g., into linear functions, etc., that correlate the data to
analyte concentration of another portion of the host, e.g., that
convert ISF concentration into the blood concentration; and the
like.
[0043] In addition, the devices may have a readout means that
displays the monitored analyte concentration. Any convenient
readout or display means may be employed, including an LCD, etc,
where the display means may display the data in any convenient
format, e.g., numerically, graphically, etc.
[0044] The device and systems may take a variety of different
configurations. In certain embodiments, the devices are single,
integral devices, in which the measurement means, processing means,
display means etc. are all present on the same structure. In yet
other embodiments, one or more of the components may be separate
from the other components. For example, the measurement means may
be separated from the display means, where telemetric communication
or analysis data transmission means, e.g., radio frequency or RF
means, are employed to provide for data communication between the
two or more disparate components of the device.
[0045] One representative device embodiment is a "watch"
embodiment, in which the device is configured to be worn around a
limbic portion, e.g., a wrist, in a manner analogous to a watch. In
this embodiment, all of the components of the device may be present
in one integral unit, where the unit is maintained in contact with
the skin of the host via an adjustable strap or other retention
means. Where the device is to contact a portion of the host that is
not readily viewable, e.g., a portion of the waste or other portion
that is typically covered by clothes or otherwise not readily
viewable, the two component device may be employed, where the
measurement means, e.g., sample pads and sensors, are one component
of the device and the display or readout means is present on the
other component of the device. The two disparate components
communicate with each other a data communication means, where the
data communication means is typically a wireless data communication
means, e.g., RF telemetric means.
[0046] Utility
[0047] The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a
variety of different applications in which monitoring the
concentration of an analyte in a body sample over a given period of
time is desired. As such, the subject methods may be employed to:
(a) continuously or periodically monitor an analyte whose
concentration is associated with a disease condition, e.g., hypo-or
hyperglycemia in blood sugar disorders such as diabetes; (b)
continuously or periodically monitor an analyte whose concentration
is associated with a non-disease physiological condition of
interest, e.g., alcohol intoxication, illegal drug use; (c)
continuously or periodically monitor the concentration of a
therapeutic agent in drug therapy applications; etc.
[0048] Where the analyte is glucose, the subject methods find use
in a variety of different applications relating to the treatment
and management of glucose-associated disease conditions, e.g.,
diabetes and related conditions. In these embodiments, the subject
methods and devices find use in providing for "continual" glucose
monitoring, by which is meant that glucose levels in a patient are
measured intermittently and automatically according to a
predetermined schedule. The subject methods therefore find use in
the management of glucose blood levels in glucose metabolism
associated disease conditions, by providing for a means to
continually monitor the concentration of blood glucose and
intervene in an appropriate manner where necessary, e.g., by
administration of insulin, by ingestion of sugar, and the like. The
subject methods can also be employed to detect and predict the
occurrence of hypo- and hyperglycemic conditions. In such
applications, the pattern of continually monitored analyte
concentration measurements can be employed to determine whether a
patient is experiencing hyper or hypo glycemia by comparing the
pattern to a control or reference pattern. In addition, one can
look at a pattern of measurements and compare it to an appropriate
control or reference pattern to predict the occurrence of a hypo or
hyperglycemic condition. The subject methods can be part of a more
comprehensive therapy protocol designed to prevent the occurrence
of hypo and hyperglycemic events, e.g., by predicting the
occurrence of such events with the subject methods and device and
intervening in blood sugar metabolism in a manner that prevents the
occurrence of the predicted event, e.g., via insulin injection or
glucose ingestion.
[0049] The subject methods and devices find use with a variety of
different types of hosts where analyte monitoring is desired. Hosts
of interest include, but are not limited to mammals. Mammals of
interest include valuable livestock, e.g., horses, cows, sheeps,
etc., pets, e.g., dogs, cats etc., and humans. In most embodiments,
the mammals on which the subject methods are practiced are
humans.
[0050] Kits
[0051] Also provided are kits for practicing the subject methods.
In one embodiment, the kits include a device for practicing the
subject invention. The device may be a single integral device or
made up of two or more disparate components, e.g., a display
component and a measurement component. In certain embodiments the
device may be a device in which the measurement means are present
on a removable cartridge. In such embodiments, the kits may include
a single cartridge, or two or more cartridges. In yet other
embodiments, the subject kits may include one or more cartridges
for use in a disparate device not included in the kit. Finally, the
kits typically include instructions for using the subject reagent
test strips in the determination of an analyte concentration in a
physiological sample. These instructions may be present on one or
more of the packaging, a label insert, containers present in the
kits, and the like.
[0052] The subject methods and devices provide continual
measurement of an analyte of interest without the problems
experienced with implantable analyte sensors. For example, because
single-use substantially painless analyte measurement means are
employed, user irritation and pain are avoided. Furthermore, the
individual measurement means employed need not be calibrated prior
to use. In addition, with respect to the glucose the subject
devices and methods can not only be employed to rapidly and
accurately detect the occurrence of a hypo or hyperglycemic event
with out host participation, but they can also be employed to
readily predict the occurrence of hypo and hyperglycemic
conditions, and therefore provide for improved management of blood
glucose metabolism associated disease conditions. As such, the
subject invention represents a significant contribution to the
art.
[0053] All publications and patents cited in this specification are
herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication
or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference. The citation of any publication is for
its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed
as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to
antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.
[0054] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity
of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain
changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
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