System and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring

Abstract

A system and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of (1) contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level, the remote device comprising a sensor and a transmitter; (2) extracting the at least one analyte through and out of the area of biological membrane and into the sensor; (3) generating an electrical signal representative of a level of the at least one analyte; (4) transmitting the electrical signal to a base device; (5) processing the electrical signal to determine the level of the at least one analyte; and (6) displaying the level of the at least one analyte in real time. The system includes a remote device that includes a sensor that generates an electrical signal representative of the concentration of the at least one analyte; and a transmitter that transmits the electrical signal. The system further includes a base device that includes a receiver that receives the electrical signal; a processor that processes the electrical signal; and a display that displays the processed signal in real time.

1 . A method for real time remote monitoring and display of a level of at least one analyte in a body fluid of a subject, comprising:
 contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level, the remote device comprising a sensor and a transmitter;   extracting the at least one analyte through and out of the area of biological membrane and into the sensor;   generating an electrical signal representative of a level of the at least one analyte;   transmitting the electrical signal to a base device;   processing the electrical signal to determine the level of the at least one analyte; and   displaying the level of the at least one analyte in real time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 increasing the permeability level of the area of biological membrane.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level comprises:
 affixing the remote device to the area of biological membrane with an adhesive.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting the signal to a base device comprises:
 converting the electrical signal representative of the level of the at least one analyte to a digital signal; and   transmitting the digitized signal, an identification number of the remote device, and a time stamp to the base device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting the signal to a monitoring device is performed periodically. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step of the transmitting the electrical signal to a base device comprises:
 transmitting the signal to the base device by at least one of a wireless application protocol link, a general packet radio service link, a Bluetooth radio link, an IEEE 802.11-based radio frequency link, a RS-232 serial connection, an IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, a fibre channel connection, an infrared (IrDA) port, a small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) connection, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 periodically determining an amount of a drug to be injected in response to the analyte level; and   automatically providing the determined amount of the drug to the subject.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the drug is insulin. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte level is displayed graphically. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the analyte level is displayed in relative to time. 
     
     
         12 . A system for real time remote monitoring of a level of at least one analyte in a body fluid, comprising:
 a remote device, comprising:   a sensor that generates an electrical signal representative of the concentration of the at least one analyte; and   a transmitter that transmits the electrical signal;   a base device, comprising:   a receiver that receives the electrical signal;   a processor that processes the electrical signal; and   a display that displays the processed signal in real time.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the remote device is affixed to the area of biological membrane with an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the transmitter transmits the electrical signal to a base device by at least one of a wireless application protocol link, a general packet radio service link, a Bluetooth radio link, an IEEE 802.11-based radio frequency link, a RS-232 serial connection, an IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, a fibre channel connection, an infrared (IrDA) port, a small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) connection, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 means for providing the subject with a drug.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the processor determines an amount of the drug to provide the subject responsive to the analyte level. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the drug is insulin. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the display displays the analyte level graphically. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the analyte level is displayed in relative to time. 
     
     
         21 - 25 . (canceled)