US20210236027A1

US20210236027A1 - Dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device and host

Info

Publication number: US20210236027A1
Application number: US17/080,773
Authority: US
Inventors: Dongfang Yu
Original assignee: Glutalor Medical Inc
Current assignee: Glutalor Medical Inc
Priority date: 2014-10-27
Filing date: 2020-10-26
Publication date: 2021-08-05
Also published as: CN105873514A; CN105873514B; US20160287150A1; EP3207871B1; US10813575B2; JP2017500994A; EP3207871A1; WO2016065507A1; ES2894735T3; DK3207871T3; EP3207871A4; JP6214786B2

Abstract

A dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device and a host are provided, wherein the collecting device comprises a portable host and a probe assembly; the probe assembly includes two glucolase micro electrode needles and a first circuit board; a first electrode terminal is provided on the first circuit board; the host includes an outer shell and a second circuit board which is located in the outer shell, and a second electrode terminal is provided on the second circuit board; the outer shell further includes a probe mounting position and a fixing structure for fixing the outer shell to a human body; the probe assembly is mounted into the probe mounting position in such a way that the glucolase micro electrode needles are projected out of a lower surface of the outer shell; when the probe assembly is mounted into the probe mounting position, the first electrode terminal on the first circuit board is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal on the second circuit board. In the present application, the probe assembly is fixed on the human body via the portable host, and the blood glucose signals are acquired via the glucolase micro electrode needles of the probe assembly, the collection, the processing and the output of the blood glucose signals can be achieved as a result.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to medical electronic technology field, and more particularly, relates to a dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device and a host.

BACKGROUND

For a diabetic, the monitoring of glucose is very important. By monitoring the glucose, it can be determine at what time the insulin should be injected in order to lower the glucose level in human body, or to supplement the glucose in order to make the glucose reach to a normal level.
At present, generally, a mainstream domestic portable blood glucose meter available in the market (for example, the products produced by companies such as Sanrupid, Omron, Yuwel, ACCU-CHEK, or the like) uses a blood sampling method which collects the peripheral blood of a human body for the detection of the blood glucose: firstly the subcutaneous tissue liquid of a human body of a user is collected using lancing devices or blood taking papers; then the blood glucose level is detected and determined by using a colorimetric method, an electrochemical method, or a photometer. However, when using the lancing device or blood taking papers to dynamically monitor the change of the blood glucose of a user, at least four blood glucose papers are needed every day, and the skin of the user needs to be pierced at least four times. In this way, the user may repeatedly feel stabbing pains, and the user experience is poor. Besides, the information about the blood glucose acquired by dynamically monitoring the blood glucose of the user by means of the paper is very limited, and it is impossible to analyze and determine the change of the blood glucose of the user with little blood glucose information.
Besides, it is possible to detect the glucose using an electrochemical sensor. In this case, the sensor is directly implanted into the blood vessels or the subcutaneous tissues of a patient. However, in general, these apparatuses are expensive, heavy and inflexible, and have larger volumes. Besides, the detection of the glucose using an electrochemical sensor needs to be carried out in a hospital or an office of a doctor, which greatly limits the activities of the patient.
It is also possible to use some apparatuses to detect the glucose with a sensor guiding object which is placed on the skin of the patient or the position near the skin. In this case, the sensor guiding object of this type may be bound on the body of the patient. However, the sensor guiding object of this type is usually heavy, and cannot be moved freely. Furthermore, the sensor guiding object or the sensor includes cables or wires which are configured to connect the sensor to other apparatuses for the purpose of transmitting signals from the sensor to an analyzer. The size of the sensor guiding object and the present of the cables and wires also limit the activities of the patient.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The object of the present application is to provide a dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device and a host, aiming at the defects in the art that the collection of the blood glucose is fussy, and cables are needed for the transmission of the signals collected.
The technical solutions to solve the technical problem are as follows.
In one aspect, a dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device is provided, which comprises a portable host and a probe assembly; wherein the probe assembly includes two glucolase micro electrode needles, and a first circuit board which is configured to process signals from the glucolase micro electrode needles; a first electrode terminal is provided on the first circuit board; the host includes an outer shell and a second circuit board which is located in the outer shell, and a second electrode terminal is provided on the second circuit board; the outer shell further includes a probe mounting position and a fixing structure for fixing the outer shell to a human body; the probe assembly is mounted into the probe mounting position in such a way that the glucolase micro electrode needles are projected out of a lower surface of the outer shell; when the probe assembly is mounted into the probe mounting position, the first electrode terminal on the first circuit board is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal on the second circuit board.
In one embodiment, a battery configured for supplying power to the second circuit board is arranged on the second circuit board, and the second circuit board further supplies power to the first circuit board via the second electrode terminal and the first electrode terminal.
In this embodiment, the outer shell of the host includes an upper shell and a lower shell which are buckled into each other; the second circuit board is fixed in a space formed by the upper shell and the lower shell; a Bluetooth communication module is provided on the second circuit board.
In this embodiment, a tail of each of the glucolase micro electrode needles is welded on the first circuit board and is perpendicular to the first circuit board; when the probe assembly is assembled to the probe mounting position on the outer shell of the host, each of the glucolase micro electrode needles is perpendicular to the surface of the outer shell.
In this embodiment, the probe assembly includes a piston subassembly and an elastic element, and the first circuit board is fixedly mounted on the piston subassembly; one side of the elastic element is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal on the first circuit board, and the other side of the elastic element is located on the periphery of the piston subassembly; the probe mounting position on the outer shell is a through-hole running through the upper shell and the lower shell, and a diameter of the through-hole matches with a diameter of the piston subassembly; a contact elastic sheet is arranged in a position on the through-hole corresponding to the elastic element of the probe assembly, and the contact elastic sheet is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the second circuit board.
In this embodiment, the through-hole on the outer shell of the host is formed by a piston sleeve, and piston sleeve is received between the upper shell and the lower shell; the contact elastic sheet is fixed on the piston sleeve.
In this embodiment, a radial rib is formed on the periphery of the piston subassembly; a radial positioning groove is defined on a position on the inner wall of the piston sleeve corresponding to the radial rib of the piston subassembly; or a radial positioning groove is defined on the periphery of the piston subassembly, and a radial rib is formed on a position on the inner wall of the piston sleeve corresponding to the radial positioning groove.
In this embodiment, the fixing structure on the outer shell includes an adhesive back patch engaged with the bottom of the lower shell, and a through-hole configured for the glucolase micro electrode needle to run through is further defined on the adhesive back patch.
Preferably, a diameter of the through-hole is less than a diameter of the piston subassembly.
In another aspect, a host for a dynamic blood glucose date acquiring device is further provided, which comprises an outer shell and a second circuit board which is located in the outer shell, and a second electrode terminal is provided on the second circuit board; the outer shell further includes a probe mounting position and a fixing structure for fixing the outer shell to a human body; an electrode terminal configured to connect the probe assembly to the second circuit board is arranged in the probe mounting position.
In the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device and a host according to the present application, the probe assembly is fixed on the human body via the portable host, and the blood glucose signals are acquired via the glucolase micro electrode needles of the probe assembly; in this way, the acquiring, the processing and the output of the blood glucose signals can be achieved. In the present application, the blood glucose detection data may be transmitted to a terminal device via Bluetooth, which greatly facilitating the acquiring and the analysis of the blood glucose data, thereby providing a reliable basis for the diagnosis of a doctor or an expert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the probe assembly of the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the host of the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a view in which the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device shown in FIG. 1 is worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To make the object, the technical solution and the technical advantages more clearly, the present application will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments in the following. It should be understood that, the specific embodiment described here is just for explanation, not for limitation.
FIGS. 1-5 show a dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device according to an embodiment of the present application. The dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device can be worn on an arm 30 of a human body, for the purpose of continuously collecting blood glucose data of the human body. In this embodiment, the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device comprises a portable host 10 and a probe assembly 20. In this case, the probe assembly 20 includes two glucolase micro electrode needles 21, and a first circuit board 22 which is configured to process signals from the glucolase micro electrode needles. Besides, a first electrode terminal is provided on the first circuit board 22. The host 20 includes an outer shell and a second circuit board 13 which is located in the outer shell, and a second electrode terminal is provided on the second circuit board 13. The outer shell further includes a probe mounting position and a fixing structure for fixing the outer shell to the human body. The probe assembly 20 is mounted into the probe mounting position in such a way that the glucolase micro electrode needles 21 are projected out of a lower surface of the outer shell. When the probe assembly 20 is mounted into the probe mounting position, the first electrode terminal on the first circuit board 22 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal on the second circuit board 13.
The glucolase micro electrode needle 21 in this case has a length of 4.9mm, which is capable of piercing the cuticle and epidermis, and further reaching to the corium layer. Oxidation reactions occur between the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 and the glucose in the human body, thereby forming electrical signals (including low-voltage and low-current signals). The first circuit board 22 is integrated with a micro processor. The micro processor is configured to preliminarily process (such as filter, amplify, or the like) the electrical signals from the glucolase micro electrode needle 21, and send the processed electrical signals to the second circuit board 13 via the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The second circuit board 13 is integrated with a MCU, and converts the electrical signals from the probe assembly 20 into blood glucose readings via the MCU.
Since an effective time of the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 is 7 days (that is, the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 is capable of steadily reacting with the glucose in the human body within 7 days), it is possible for the probe assembly 20 in the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device to continuously collect the blood glucose data for 7 days in real time in principle, and the host 10 carries out the conversion of the blood glucose data, thereby the dynamic blood glucose data of the human body is acquired. Certainly, for the accuracy of the blood glucose data collecting and the comfort of wearing, it is possible to limit a valid period of the probe assembly 20 within 5 days.
Besides, since the probe assembly 20 is assembled to the host 10, it is possible to disassemble the probe assembly 20 from the host 10 and use a new probe assembly 20 to collect the blood glucose data combing with the host, after the probe assembly 20 becomes invalid (for example, after the probe assembly 20 has been used for 7 days). Therefore, with the structure described above, the probe assembly 20 is possible to be used as a disposable product, and thus the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 implanted into the human body is avoided from being repeatedly used. However, the host 10 may be repeatedly used in order to avoid waste.
The second circuit hoard 13 includes a battery 14 configured for supplying power to the second circuit board 13. The second circuit board 13 further supplies power to the first circuit board 22 via the second electrode terminal and the first electrode terminal. The battery 14 may be a chargeable lithium cell, and a charging interface may be provided on the second circuit board 13. The battery 14 may also be a button cell which is convenient to change.
The outer shell of the host 10 includes an upper shell 11 and a lower shell 12 which are buckled into each other. The second circuit board 13 is fixed in a space formed by the upper shell 11 and the lower shell 12. A tail of each of the glucolase micro electrode needles 21 is welded on the first circuit board 22 and is perpendicular to the first circuit board 22. When the probe assembly 20 is assembled to the probe mounting position on the outer shell of the host 10, each of the glucolase micro electrode needles 21 is perpendicular to the surface of the outer shell (that is, the lower shell 12). In this way, it is possible for the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 to be perpendicularly inserted into the epidermis of the human body. Certainly, in the practical application, the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 of the probe assembly 20 may be obliquely inserted into the epidermis of the human body.
The probe assembly 20 includes a piston subassembly and an elastic element 25; wherein the piston subassembly is an assembly of a piston upper shell 24 and a piston lower shell 23, and the first circuit board 22 is fixedly mounted via the piston upper shell 24 and the piston lower shell 24. One side of the elastic element 25 is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal on the first circuit board 22, and the other side of the elastic element 25 is located on the periphery of the piston subassembly. The probe mounting position on the outer shell of host 10 is a through-hole running through the upper shell and the lower shell, and a diameter of the through-hole matches with a diameter of the piston subassembly. A contact elastic sheet 16 is arranged in a position on the inwall of the through-hole of the outer shell of the host 10 corresponding to the elastic element 25 of the probe assembly 20, and the contact elastic sheet 16 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the second circuit board 13. In this way, when the probe assembly 20 is assembled to the host 10, the first circuit board 22 is electrically connected to the second circuit board 13 by contacting the elastic element 25 with the contact elastic sheet 16.
In particular, the through-hole on the outer shell of the host 10 is formed by a piston sleeve 15, and the contact elastic sheet 16 is fixed on the piston sleeve. The piston sleeve 15 is received between the upper shell 11 and the lower shell 12, and an inner diameter of the piston sleeve 15 matches with an outer diameter of the piston subassembly of the probe assembly 20. In this way, it is possible for the probe assembly 20 to be directly inserted into the piston sleeve 15 in order to achieve an assembly thereof. A buckle component may be arranged on the periphery of the piston subassembly and an inner wall of the piston sleeve 15, in order to prevent the probe assembly 20 which is inserted into the piston sleeve 15 from getting out of the piston sleeve 15. It is also possible to provide a component configured to prevent the probe assembly 20 from getting out of the piston sleeve 15 (such as, a structure similar to a buckle or a barb) between the piston subassembly of the probe assembly 20 and the piston sleeve 15 of the host 10.
When using the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device of the present application, the host 10 is firstly fixed on the human body (such as an arm), and the piston subassembly of the probe assembly 20 is in turn inserted into the piston sleeve 15 of the host 10, such that the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 pierces into the skin, and thus the collection of the blood glucose data can be achieved.
Certainly, in the practical application, it is also possible for the probe mounting position on the host 10 to be a recess on the bottom of the host 10. When using the dynamic blood glucose data acquiring device of the present application, the probe assembly 20 is firstly fixed on the human body, that is, the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 pierces into the skin; then the host 10 is fixed on the human body with the recess on the bottom of the host 10 aligned with the tail of the probe assembly 20. Compared with the method using the through-hole, the wearing of the probe mounting position in form of a recess is complicated, and it is not easy to control the piercing of the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 into the skin.
In order to achieve a precise assembly of the probe assembly 20, a radial rib may be formed on the periphery of the piston subassembly. Accordingly, a radial positioning groove is defined on a position on the inner wall of the piston sleeve 15 corresponding to the radial rib of the piston subassembly. The assembly of the probe assembly 20 may be achieved only by inserting the radial rib into the radial positioning groove. Certainly, it is also possible for the radial positioning groove to be defined on the periphery of the piston subassembly, and for the radial rib to be formed on a position on the inner wall of the piston sleeve 15 corresponding to the radial positioning groove. In this way, the precise assembly of the probe assembly 20 may also be achieved.
The fixing structure on the outer shell of the host 10 includes an adhesive back patch 17 engaged with the bottom of the lower shell, and a through-hole configured for the glucolase micro electrode needle 21 to run through is further defined on the adhesive back patch 17. A medical tape 18 having a mesh may be fixed on the adhesive back patch 17, and the adhesive back patch 17 is further adhered to the human body via the medical tape 18. The medical tape has a good permeability, and will not bring about irritability or uncomfortable symptoms after being used for a long time.
In particular, a diameter of the through-hole of the adhesive back patch 17 is less than a diameter of the piston subassembly of the probe assembly 20. In this way, during the disassembly of the probe assembly 20, the probe assembly 20 may be directly pushed to move in an inserting direction, and the adhesive back patch 17 may be separated from the lower shell 12 of the host 10 when the probe assembly 20 is getting out of the piston sleeve 15. Therefore, the wearing thereof is hygienic.
In order to send out the blood glucose data of the host 10, a Bluetooth communication module may be provided on the second circuit board 13. In this way, any apparatus having a function of Bluetooth communication, such as a cell-phone, a laptop or the like, may be communicated with the host 10 via Bluetooth, and may further collect the blood glucose data acquire d.
Those are preferred embodiments of the present application. However, it should be understood that, the protection scope of the present application is not limited here. In the inspiration of the present application, one skilled in the art may easily make various modifications and equivalents, without going beyond the scope the claims intend to protect of the present application. All these belong to the protection of the present application should be protected. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application is subjected to the protection scope claimed in claims.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A blood glucose data acquiring device comprising:

a reusable component comprising a first housing having a cavity, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a receiving recess formed into at least one of the upper and lower surfaces, the receiving recess being surrounded by an inner wall that separates the receiving recess from the cavity, the inner wall comprising a first alignment feature;

a first circuit board located in the cavity of the reusable component;

a first conductive member located in the cavity of the reusable component and being electrically connected to the first circuit board, a portion of the first conductive member being exposed along the inner wall of the reusable component;

a disposable component comprising a second housing having a cavity and an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a second alignment feature;

a second circuit board located in the cavity of the disposable component;

a second conductive member located in the cavity of the disposable component and being electrically connected to the second circuit board, a portion of the second conductive member being exposed along the outer surface of the second housing of the disposable component; and

wherein the disposable component is detachably coupled to the reusable component by aligning the second alignment feature of the disposable component with the first alignment feature of the reusable component and inserting the second housing of the disposable component into the receiving recess of the reusable component, the first and second conductive members contacting one another to electrically connect the first circuit board of the reusable component to the second circuit board of the disposable component.

12. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 11 wherein the disposable component comprises two glucose probes that are electrically connected to the second circuit board, wherein the two glucose probes are configured to pierce a cuticle and epidermis of a user to form electrical signals.

13. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 12 wherein the second circuit board of the disposable component comprises a microprocessor that is configured to preliminarily process the electrical signals received from the two glucose probes.

14. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 13 wherein the first circuit board of the reusable component comprises a microcontroller that is configured to receive the processed electrical signals from the microprocessor of the second circuit board of the disposable component and convert the processed electrical signals received from the disposable component into blood glucose readings.

15. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 11 wherein the receiving recess of the reusable component is a through-hole that extends from a first opening in the upper surface of the first housing to a second opening in the lower surface of the first housing, and wherein the disposable component nests within the through-hole when coupled to the reusable component and glucose probes of the disposable component that are electrically connected to the second circuit board protrude from the lower surface of the first housing.

16. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 11 wherein the housing of the reusable component comprises an upper shell and a lower shell that define the cavity when coupled together, and a piston sleeve that is located within the cavity between the upper and lower shells, and wherein an inner surface of the piston sleeve forms the inner wall that surrounds the receiving recess of the reusable component.

17. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 16 wherein the piston sleeve comprises an annular sidewall having one or more openings through which the portion of the first conductive member extends.

18. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 11 further comprising:

wherein one of the first and second alignment feature is a rib and the other of the first and second alignment features is a groove; and

wherein the disposable component can only be inserted into the receiving recess of the reusable component when the rib of the one of the first and second alignment features and the groove of the other one of the first and second alignment features are aligned, which ensures that the first and second conductive members are in contact with each other when the disposable component is located within the receiving recess of the reusable component.

19. The blood glucose data acquiring device according to claim 11 wherein the first circuit board of the reusable component comprises a Bluetooth communication module that is configured to place an external electronic device into operable communication with the first circuit board of the reusable component.

20. A method of acquiring blood glucose data from a user, the method comprising:

affixing a host component onto a part of a body of the user, the host comprising a through-hole that extends from an exposed upper surface of the host to a non-exposed lower surface of the host that is in contact with the body of the user;

inserting a probe assembly into the through-hole of the host so that glucose probes protruding from a lower surface of the probe assembly penetrate into a skin of the user; and

wherein upon inserting the probe assembly into the through-hole of the host component, a first circuit board located in the host component is in electrical communication with a second circuit board located in the probe assembly.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein when the glucose probes are located within the skin of the user, oxidation reactions occur between the glucose probes and glucose in the user, thereby forming electrical signals that are processed by a microprocessor of the second circuit board of the probe assembly.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the microprocessor of the second circuit board of the probe assembly transmits the processed electrical signals to the first circuit board of the host component.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the first circuit board of the host component is integrated with a microcontroller that is configured to convert the processed electrical signals received from the second circuit board into blood glucose readings.

24. The method according to claim 20 wherein the probe assembly is configured to continuously collect blood glucose data from the user for up to at least seven days.

25. The method according to claim 20 wherein, after expiration of a predetermined period of time, the probe assembly is detached from the host component and a new probe assembly is inserted into the through-hole of the host component.