Method and Apparatus for Providing Leak Detection in Data Monitoring and Management Systems

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a leak detection circuit for a data monitoring and management system using the guard trace of a glucose sensor by applying a leak detection test signal to determine whether a leakage current is present is provided. The leak detection circuit may include an interface circuit, such as a capacitor, coupled to the guard trace to detect the leakage current when the leak detection test signal is applied to the guard trace, such that the user or patient using the data monitoring and management system, such as glucose monitoring systems, is notified of a failed sensor and prompted to replace the sensor.

1 . An analyte monitoring apparatus, comprising:
 a leak detection circuit operatively coupled to at least one electrode of a transcutaneously positioned analyte sensor; and   a processor operatively coupled to the leak detection circuit, the processor configured to generate a leak detection test signal;
 wherein the leak detection circuit is configured to detect a leakage current based on the leak detection test signal and to generate a leakage signal upon detection of a leakage current, and further wherein the processor is configured to receive the leakage signal from the leak detection circuit in response to the leak detection test signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including an interface circuit operatively coupled to the processor, the interface circuit configured to transfer the leak detection test signal to the at least one electrode of the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the processor is configured to drive the leak detection test signal to the interface circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the interface circuit includes a capacitor. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to drive the leak detection test signal to the at least one electrode of the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the leak detection test signal includes one of a digital signal or an analog signal. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the leakage signal received by the processor includes an analyte related signal from the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the received leakage signal exceeds a predetermined sensor signal level. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined sensor signal level includes a measured sensor signal level, wherein the measured sensor signal level is measured by the processor at a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined sensor signal level includes a tolerance level that corresponds to an acceptable current leakage level. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the processor is further configured to output a notification corresponding to the received leakage signal when the received leakage signal exceeds the predetermined sensor signal level a predetermined number of consecutive times. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to generate and transmit subsequent leak detection test signals at predetermined time intervals. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the leak detection circuit comprises a resistor operatively coupled to a capacitor, the capacitor operatively coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the resistor is operatively coupled to the at least one electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the leak detection circuit has a leakage resistance between 100 MegaOhms and 10,000 MegaOhms. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the leak detection test signal has a duration of less than one second. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the leak detection test signal has a duration of between 250 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing leak detection, comprising:
 generating, using a processor, a leak detection test signal;   detecting, using a leak detection circuit operatively coupled to at least one electrode of an analyte sensor, a leakage current based on the leak detection test signal;   generating, using the leak detection circuit, a leakage signal upon detection of a leakage current;   receiving, using the processor, the leakage signal from the leak detection circuit in response to the leak detection test signal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including transferring, using an interface circuit, the leak detection test signal to the at least one electrode of the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further including driving, using the processor, the leak detection test signal to the interface circuit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further including driving, using the processor, the leak detection test signal to the at least one electrode of the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the leak detection test signal includes one of a digital signal or an analog signal. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the leakage signal received by the processor includes an analyte related signal from the analyte sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  further including determining, using the processor, whether the received leakage signal exceeds a predetermined sensor signal level. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the predetermined sensor signal level includes a measured sensor signal level, wherein the measured sensor signal level is measured by the processor at a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the predetermined sensor signal level includes a tolerance level that corresponds to an acceptable current leakage level. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24  further including outputting, using the processor, a notification corresponding to the received leakage signal when the received leakage signal exceeds the predetermined sensor signal level a predetermined number of consecutive times. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18  further including generating and transmitting, using the processor, subsequent leak detection test signals at predetermined time intervals. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the leak detection test signal has a duration of less than one second. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the leak detection test signal has a duration of between 250 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds.