Graphical display for physiological patient data

Abstract

An intuitive graphical display as described herein can be rendered by a host device that obtains physiological patient data (such as blood glucose values) in real time or substantially real time. The graphical display includes a calibrated bar graph having a desired measurement range for the monitored parameter. The graphical display also includes a dynamic measurement value indicator that moves along the bar graph in a manner that tracks the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. The graphical display may also incorporate easy-to-interpret display elements that allow the user to quickly determine whether the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic is within or outside a normal range, whether the monitored physiological characteristic is rising or falling, and the approximate rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . An electronic device having rendered thereon an intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data, comprising:
 a calibrated bar graph that indicates a measurement range for a monitored physiological characteristic; and   a measurement value pointer that moves along the calibrated bar graph to indicate a current value of the monitored physiological characteristic and a direction of change of the monitored physiological characteristic.   
     
     
         36 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data further comprises a text field that alphanumerically indicates the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         37 . The electronic device of  claim 36 , wherein the text field moves along the calibrated bar graph concurrently with the measurement value pointer. 
     
     
         38 . The electronic device of  claim 36 , wherein display characteristics of the text field change in response to the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         39 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data further comprises a control button field that, when activated, initiates a control function of the electronic device. 
     
     
         40 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein display characteristics of the measurement value pointer change in response to the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         41 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data further comprises a rate of change pointer that indicates the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         42 . The electronic device of  claim 41 , wherein the rate of change pointer has a displayed length that corresponds to the magnitude of the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         43 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the measurement value pointer comprises a rate of change pointer that indicates the direction of change of the monitored physiological characteristic and the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         44 . The electronic device of  claim 43 , wherein the rate of change pointer has a displayed length that corresponds to the magnitude of the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         45 . The electronic device of  claim 43 , wherein the rate of change pointer has a displayed angle, relative to a major axis of the calibrated bar graph, that corresponds to the magnitude of the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         46 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data further comprises a text field that alphanumerically indicates a predicted value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         47 . The electronic device of  claim 46 , wherein the text field moves along the calibrated bar graph concurrently with the measurement value pointer. 
     
     
         48 . The electronic device of  claim 35 , wherein the measurement value pointer has a length that extends to indicate a predicted value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         49 . In an electronic device having an electronic display, a method of providing an intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data, the method comprising:
 obtaining data corresponding to a monitored physiological characteristic;   generating, for display on the electronic display, a graphical element comprising a calibrated bar graph that indicates a measurement range for the monitored physiological characteristic, and a measurement value pointer that moves along the calibrated bar graph to indicate a current value of the monitored physiological characteristic and a direction of change of the monitored physiological characteristic; and   rendering the graphical element on the electronic display.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein a displayed color of the measurement value pointer changes in response to the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the graphical element further comprises a rate of change pointer that indicates the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the measurement value pointer comprises a rate of change pointer that indicates the direction of change of the monitored physiological characteristic and the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of: a patient-wearable monitor; a patient-wearable fluid infusion pump; a remote display monitor; a patient monitor; a measurement device for the monitored physiological characteristic; a wireless telephone; a computing device; a television; a personal digital assistant; a digital media player; and a portable video game device. 
     
     
         54 . A method for displaying, on an electronic display of a device, an intuitive graphical display of physiological patient data, the method comprising:
 obtaining, at the device, data corresponding to a monitored physiological characteristic;   displaying, on the electronic display, a bar graph that indicates a measurement range for the monitored physiological characteristic; and   displaying, on the electronic display, a measurement value pointer that indicates a current value of the monitored physiological characteristic on the bar graph, and that indicates a direction of change of the monitored physiological characteristic.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising displaying, on the electronic display and in conjunction with the bar graph and the measurement value pointer, a text field that alphanumerically indicates the current value of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising displaying, on the electronic display and in conjunction with the bar graph and the measurement value pointer, a rate of change pointer that indicates the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the measurement value pointer comprises a rate of change pointer that indicates the direction of change of the monitored physiological characteristic and the rate of change of the monitored physiological characteristic.