Metabolic energy monitoring system

Abstract

A metabolic energy monitoring system having one or more physiological measurement platforms and displays enabling the calculation and display of energy balance, kilocalorie energy expenditure and kilocalorie intake is described. In preferred embodiments, the system utilizes one or more on-body monitoring platforms to enable measurement of change in body composition and kilocalorie energy expenditure over a period of time thereby enabling a comparator to calculate net energy balance over this period of time and to calculate kilocalorie intake over this same period of time. Such data may then be displayed on a display device in wireless communication with the on-body monitoring platform to provide the user of the system with useful information and guidance in weight management applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for estimating a blood glucose level of a patient, the method comprising:
 estimating an energy expenditure of the patient over a period of time;   estimating a change in a body fat weight of the patient over the period of time;   using the energy expenditure and the change in the body fat weight to calculate an energy intake of the patient over the period of time; and   using the energy intake to estimate the blood glucose level of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure of the patient includes estimating a basal or resting metabolic rate of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein estimating a basal or resting metabolic rate of the patient includes adjusting the basal or resting metabolic rate to compensate for compensational changes over extended periods of time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein estimating a basal or resting metabolic rate of the patient includes adjusting the basal or resting metabolic rate to compensate for weight changes over extended periods of time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure of the patient includes estimating an activity-related energy expenditure of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using a heart rate monitor to measure a heart rate of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using a thermometer to measure an ambient temperature of an environment of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using a humidity sensor to measure a humidity of an environment of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using an accelerometer to measure an activity of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using a temperature monitor to measure a temperature of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using a heat flux monitor to measure a heat flux of the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using a sweat measuring device to measure a sweating of the patient. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using an impedance sensor to measure an impedance of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using an ultra wideband radar to measure a vital sign of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein estimating an energy expenditure includes using inputted data of the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inputted data includes one or more of age, approximate weight, height, gender, lifestyles, activity, and physical history. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring a change in a body fat weight includes using an impedance sensor to measure one or both of a body fat index and a fluid weight of the patient at a beginning of the period of time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring a change in a body fat weight includes using population-based data to estimate a fluid weight of the patient at a beginning of the period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring a change in a body fat weight includes using an impedance sensor to measure one or both of a change in the body fat index and a change in the fluid weight of the patient at the end of the period of time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring a change in body fat weight compensates for a change in the fluid weight.