# Patent

## Title
Measurement support system and measurement support method

## Abstract

A measurement support system includes a measurement device and a management device connected to the measurement device via a communications network. When the measurement device uses consumable materials such as reagents, the management device manages the stock of consumable materials, supplies the consumable materials, and corrects measured data in accordance with the state of the consumable materials. Thus, the measurement support system can reduce the burden on users of the measurement device. The reagents that are used in measurement by a personal measuring instrument (3) located at each of patients' homes (B, C, . . . ) are assigned a reagent ID number beforehand. This reagent ID number and measured data are transmitted to a host computer (1) of a medical institution (A). The host computer (1) determines the stock of reagents based on the consumable material identifier received from the personal measuring instrument (3) and ships the reagents to the patient's home when the stock is running low. The host computer (1) also corrects the measured data in view of a calibration curve and degradation based on the production lot information of the reagents stored in correspondence with the reagent ID number.

## Background
This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/297,190, filed Apr. 15, 2003, which is a National Stage application of PCT/JP001/04681, filed Jun. 1, 2001, which applications are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a measurement support system that includes a management device connected to a measurement device via a communications network, the management device managing the supply of consumable materials to be used in the measurement device, measured data of the measurement device, etc.
BACKGROUND ART
A conventional personal measuring device is known that allows patients to measure various data by themselves in places other than medical institutions. For example, people with diabetes, who have to control their blood sugar levels daily, use a personal measuring device (a blood sugar meter) to measure the blood sugar levels four times a day (after or before meals and at bedtime) and write the results down in their notebooks for treatment. They go to a hospital about once a month and present the measurement record to a doctor for receiving the doctor's diagnosis or directions about the self-administration of blood sugar levels.
The conventional personal measuring device may use consumable materials, such as disposable reagents, sensors, and test papers. For example, the blood sugar meter electrically measures blood sugar levels by a sensor on which a blood drop obtained from a patient's fingertip or the like is placed. This sensor is thrown away after use.
When visiting a hospital, users of such a personal measuring device that requires reagents, sensors, test papers, or other consumable components have to purchase the reagents, etc. in a large amount necessary for the whole period of time until the next visit to the hospital and carry them home. Alternatively, those users have to visit medical institutions to purchase the reagents, etc. every time the stock on hand is running low.
Recently, a remote medical examination system also is known that allows patients to receive a doctor's diagnosis at home. In the remote medical examination system, a personal measuring device is connected to a host computer of a medical institution via a communications network such as a telephone network, and measured data from the personal measuring device are transmitted to the medical institution via the communications network. Even with this system, however, when the personal measuring device uses consumable materials such as reagents, the patients have to manage the stock of consumable materials by themselves and visit the medical institution to purchase the consumable materials.
There may be a variation in ingredient of reagents for each production lot. Therefore, measured data are corrected generally in accordance with the calibration curve information of each production lot of the reagents i.e., a lot correction). Moreover, the ingredients of the reagents may degrade with time after manufacture of the reagents. This may leads to a difference in result between the measurement performed shortly after the manufacturing date of the reagents and the measurement performed closer to the expiration date of the reagents, even if the reagents have the same production lot. Thus, the measured data also should be corrected in view of degradation that depends on the period of time between manufacturing of the reagents and performing of the measurement.
A conventional measuring device using a dry-type measuring element is known as well. This measuring device reads a lot number or the like from bar-code information attached to each measuring element and selects the measurement conditions and a calibration curve that are suitable for the measuring element to be used. However, the device configuration is complicated, and it is troublesome for patients to carry out corrective operations for every measurement.
To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement support system that automatically can perform the stock management, supply, etc. of consumable materials when a measurement device uses the consumable materials, and correct measured data properly in accordance with the state of the consumable materials, thereby reducing the burden on users of the measurement device.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
A first measurement support system of the present invention includes a measurement device and a management device connected to the measurement device via a communications network. The management device supports measurement performed by the measurement device. The measurement device uses consumable materials for measurement, and the consumable materials are assigned a consumable material identifier beforehand, which identifies the consumable materials. The measurement device includes the following: a recognition portion for recognizing the consumable material identifier of consumable materials to be used in measurement; a measurement portion for performing measurement with the consumable materials; a communication portion for communicating with the management device via the communications network; and a control portion for controlling the communication portion to send measurement information to the management device. The measurement information includes a measurement device identifier that identifies the measurement device, measured data obtained by the measurement portion after measurement, and the consumable material identifier recognized by the recognition portion before the measurement. The management device includes the following: a communication portion for communicating with the measurement device via the communications network; a storage portion for storing as an initial value the quantity of consumable materials supplied to a user for each measurement device; a stock determination portion for determining the stock of consumable materials kept by the user for each measurement device based on the initial value stored in the storage portion and the number of measurements performed by the measurement device after the initial value has been stored in the storage portion; a supply portion for taking a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device; and a control portion for controlling the stock determination portion to determine the stock of consumable materials of the measurement device based on the measurement device identifier and the consumable material identifier that are extracted from the measurement information on each receipt of the measurement information from the measurement device and for controlling the supply portion to take the procedure when the stock is lower than a predetermined level.
According to this configuration, the storage portion stores the quantity of consumable materials supplied to a user of the measurement device as an initial value. The consumable materials used in measurement can be specified by the consumable material identifier included in the measurement information that is transmitted from the measurement device to the management device. The stock determination portion determines the stock of consumable materials based on the initial value stored in the storage portion and the number of measurements performed by the measurement device after the initial value has been stored in the storage portion. Moreover, when the stock of consumable materials is lower than a predetermined level, the supply portion takes a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device.
Thus, the management device, instead of users of the measurement device, automatically performs the stock management, procurement, etc. of consumable materials, thereby achieving a measurement support system that can reduce the burden on the users.
Examples of the consumable materials used in the present invention include reagents, test strips, and sensors for measurement. The sensors include those composed of reagents, electrodes, etc. The recognition portion of the present invention can be any technical means that allows the measurement device to recognize the consumable material identifier. Examples of the recognition portion include a keyboard or touch panel, with which users can enter the consumable material identifier manually into the measurement device, and a bar-code reader that directly reads the consumable material identifier so as to be recognized by the measurement device.
In the first measurement support system, it is preferable that the management device is located in a medical institution. This makes it possible to achieve a medical measurement support system.
In the first measurement support system, it is preferable that the management device further includes a data transfer portion that is connected to a data management system of a medical institution via the communications network and sends at least the measured data extracted from the measurement information to the data management system.
This configuration allows the management device to be owned, e.g., by manufacturers or suppliers of the measurement device or the consumable materials. Thus, a medical measurement support system can be achieved, in which the supply of consumable materials to users of the measurement device is managed by the manufacturers or suppliers, while the measured data are managed by the data management system of the medical institution.
A second measurement support system of the present invention includes a measurement device and a management device connected to the measurement device via a communications network. The management device supports measurement performed by the measurement device. The measurement device uses consumable materials for measurement, and the consumable materials are assigned a consumable material identifier beforehand, which identifies the consumable materials. The measurement device includes the following: a recognition portion for recognizing the consumable material identifier of consumable materials to be used in measurement; a measurement portion for performing measurement with the consumable materials; a communication portion for communicating with the management device via the communications network; and a control portion for controlling the communication portion to send measurement information to the management device. The measurement information includes at least measured data obtained by the measurement portion and the consumable material identifier recognized by the recognition portion before measurement. The management device includes the following: a consumable material information storage portion for storing measured data correcting information that corresponds to a production lot of the consumable materials in correspondence with the consumable material identifier; a communication portion for communicating with the measurement device via the communications network; a data correction portion for correcting measured data based on the measured data correcting information; and a control portion for extracting the consumable material identifier and the measured data from the measurement information received from the measurement device, fetching the measured data correcting information of the production lot that corresponds to the consumable material identifier from the consumable material information storage portion, and controlling the data correction portion to correct the measured data based on the measured data correcting information.
According to this configuration, both the measured data of the measurement device and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in measurement are transmitted to the management device. Thus, the management device can correct the measured data by the measured data correcting information of the consumable materials that is specified by the consumable material identifier. Therefore, it is not necessary for users of the measurement device to make a correction for every measurement, thereby achieving a measurement support system that can reduce the burden on the users.
In the second measurement support system, it is preferable that the management device is located in a medical institution. This makes it possible to achieve a medical measurement support system.
In the second measurement support system, it is preferable that the management device further includes a data transfer portion that is connected to a data management system of a medical institution via the communications network and sends the measured data corrected by the data correction portion to the data management system.
This configuration allows the management device to be owned, e.g., by manufacturers or suppliers of the measurement device or the consumable materials. Thus, a medical measurement support system can be achieved, in which the supply of consumable materials to users of the measurement device is managed by the manufacturers or suppliers, while the corrected measured data are managed by the data management system of the medical institution.
In the second measurement support system, degradation in the consumable materials with time may affect the measured data, and it is preferable that the measured data correcting information includes degradation correcting information.
This allows the management device to correct data properly, even if the measurement device uses consumable materials that are degraded with time. Thus, a measurement support system can be achieved that reduces the user's burden of making a correction for every measurement.
In the second measurement support system, it is preferable that the consumable materials are reagents, and the measured data correcting information includes calibration curve information.
This allows the management device to correct data properly, even if the measurement device uses reagents that require a calibration curve correction. Thus, a measurement support system can be achieved that reduces the user's burden of making a correction for every measurement.
A first measurement support method of the present invention is a method for supporting measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials. The measurement device is connected to a management device via a communications network. The management device collects and manages measured data of the measurement device. The method includes the following: setting the quantity of consumable materials supplied to a user for each measurement device as an initial value of the stock of consumable materials kept by the user for each measurement device when the consumable materials are supplied to the user; sending measurement information from the measurement device to the management device after each measurement, the measurement information including a measurement device identifier that identifies the measurement device, measured data derived from the measurement, and a consumable material identifier that identifies the consumable materials used in the measurement; and allowing the management device to update the stock of consumable materials kept by the user of the measurement device based on the measurement device identifier and the consumable material identifier that are included in the measurement information received from the measurement device and to take a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device when the stock is lower than a predetermined level.
According to this method, when consumable materials are supplied to a user of the measurement device, the quantity is set as an initial value of the stock of consumable materials kept by the user. The measurement information that is transmitted from the measurement device to the management device after each measurement includes the measurement device identifier and the consumable material identifier, by which both the measurement device and the consumable materials used in the measurement are specified, and then the stock of consumable materials of this measurement device is updated. Moreover, when the stock is lower than a predetermined level, the management device takes a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device.
Thus, the management device, instead of users of the measurement device, automatically performs the stock management, procurement, etc. of consumable materials, thereby reducing the burden on the users.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that the procedure includes sending an inquiry about an order for the consumable materials from the management device to the measurement device, and the consumable materials are shipped only when the management device receives an order for the consumable materials from the measurement device in response to the inquiry.
This makes it possible to ship the consumable materials to users of the measurement device after confirmation of their intention to order.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that the consumable material identifier is assigned to each unit of supply of the consumable materials; the measurement device sends the consumable material identifier of the supplied consumable materials to the management device before starting measurement with the consumable materials; and the management device determines an initial value of the stock of consumable materials based on the quantity of consumable materials per unit of supply that corresponds the consumable material identifier received from the measurement device.
This method can assign the consumable material identifier to packages or the like, each of which includes a plurality of consumable materials. Thus, the supply and the management of consumable materials can be performed by a unit of the package, i.e., a unit of two or more consumable materials.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials are manufactured, the consumable material identifier is assigned uniquely to each unit of supply of the consumable materials to a user of the measurement device, and a recording medium that contains information about the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier is prepared and attached to each unit of supply of the consumable materials, the information including the quantity of consumable materials per unit of supply; and the management device reads the information from the recording medium to store the quantity of consumable materials per unit of supply.
According to this method, users of the management device can store the consumable material information in the management device with a simple operation, which only requires the management device to read the recording medium that has been prepared by the manufacturers of the consumable materials.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that the consumable material identifier is assigned to each unit of supply of the consumable materials; the management device stores an expiration date of the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier; the measurement device sends the consumable material identifier of consumable materials to be used in measurement to the management device before performing the measurement; the management device retrieves the expiration date of the consumable materials that correspond to the consumable material identifier received from the measurement device and sends the expiration date to the measurement device; and the measurement device determines for every measurement whether the consumable materials to be used in the measurement are past the expiration date based on the expiration date received from the management device.
According to this method, the measurement device automatically determines whether the consumable materials to be used in measurement are past the expiration date based on the expiration date information of the consumable materials that is stored in the management device. Thus, it is not necessary for users of the measurement device to manage the expiration date of the consumable materials, thereby reducing the burden on the users.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials are manufactured, the consumable material identifier is assigned uniquely to each unit of supply of the consumable materials to a user of the measurement device, and a recording medium that contains information about the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier is prepared and attached to each unit of supply of the consumable materials, the information including the expiration date of the consumable materials; and the management device reads the information from the recording medium to store the expiration date.
According to this method, users of the management device can store the consumable material information in the management device with a simple operation, which only requires the management device to read the recording medium that has been prepared by the manufacturers of the consumable materials.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials to be used in measurement are past the expiration date, the measurement device sends an order for the consumable materials to the management device.
According to this method, the measurement device automatically orders consumable materials when the consumable materials are past the expiration date, thereby further reducing the user's burden of managing the consumable materials.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that the management device further stores degradation correcting information of measured data derived from measurement that uses the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier; the measurement device allows a user to choose whether to perform measurement or not when the consumable materials to be used in the measurement are past the expiration date; and the management device corrects the measured data that are included in the measurement information received from the measurement device by using the degradation correcting information that corresponds to the consumable material identifier in the measurement information.
This method can provide substantially reliable results of measurement by correcting the measured data even if the consumable materials are past the expiration date to a certain extent, thereby achieving efficient utilization of the consumable materials.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that the management device stores measured data correcting information that corresponds to a production lot of the consumable materials in correspondence with the consumable material identifier, and the management device extracts the consumable material identifier and the measured data from the measurement information received from the measurement device, and corrects the measured data based on the measured data correcting information of the production lot that corresponds to the consumable material identifier.
According to this method, both the measured data of the measurement device and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in measurement are transmitted to the management device. Thus, the management device can correct the measured data by the measured data correcting information of the consumable materials that is specified by the consumable material identifier. Therefore, it is not necessary for users of the measurement device to make a correction for every measurement, thereby reducing the burden on the users.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials are manufactured, the consumable material identifier is assigned uniquely to each unit of supply of the consumable materials to a user of the measurement device, and a recording medium that contains information about the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier is prepared and attached to each unit of supply of the consumable materials, the information including the measured data correcting information per production lot of the consumable materials; and the management device reads the information from the recording medium to store the measured data correcting information.
According to this method, users of the management device can store the consumable material information in the management device with a simple operation, which only requires the management device to read the recording medium that has been prepared by the manufacturers of the consumable materials.
In the first measurement support method, degradation in the consumable materials with time may affect the measured data, and it is preferable that the measured data correcting information includes degradation correcting information.
This allows the management device to correct data properly, even if the measurement device uses consumable materials that are degraded with time. Thus, a measurement support system can be achieved that reduces the user's burden of making a correction for every measurement.
In the first measurement support method, it is preferable that the consumable materials are reagents, and the measured data correcting information includes calibration curve information.
This allows the management device to correct data properly, even if the measurement device uses reagents that require a calibration curve correction, thereby reducing the user's burden of making a correction for every measurement.
A second measurement support method of the present invention is a method for supporting measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials. The measurement device is connected to a management device via a communications network. The management device collects and manages measured data of the measurement device. The method includes the following: storing measured data correcting information that corresponds to a production lot of consumable materials in correspondence with a consumable material identifier that identifies the consumable materials in the management device; sending measurement information from the measurement device to the management device after each measurement, the measurement information including at least measured data derived from the measurement and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in the measurement; and allowing the management device to extract the consumable material identifier and the measured data from the measurement information received from the measurement device and to correct the measured data based on the measured data correcting information of the production lot that corresponds to the consumable material identifier.
According to this method, both the measured data of the measurement device and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in measurement are transmitted to the management device. Thus, the management device can correct the measured data by the measured data correcting information of the consumable materials that is specified by the consumable material identifier. Therefore, it is not necessary for users of the measurement device to make a correction for every measurement, thereby reducing the burden on the users.
In the second measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials are manufactured, the consumable material identifier is assigned uniquely to each unit of supply of the consumable materials to a user of the measurement device, and a recording medium that contains information about the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier is prepared and attached to each unit of supply of the consumable materials, the information including the measured data correcting information per production lot of the consumable materials; and the management device reads the information from the recording medium to store the measured data correcting information.
According to this method, users of the management device can store the consumable material information in the management device with a simple operation, which only requires the management device to read the recording medium that has been prepared by the manufacturers of the consumable materials.
In the second measurement support method, degradation in the consumable materials with time may affect the measured data, and it is preferable that the measured data correcting information includes degradation correcting information.
This allows the management device to correct data properly, even if the measurement device uses consumable materials that are degraded with time. Thus, a measurement support system can be achieved that reduces the user's burden of making a correction for every measurement.
In the second measurement support method, it is preferable that the consumable materials are reagents, and the measured data correcting information includes calibration curve information.
This allows the management device to correct data properly, even if the measurement device uses reagents that require a calibration curve correction, thereby reducing the user's burden of making a correction for every measurement.
In the second measurement support method, it is preferable that the measurement information further includes a measurement device identifier that identifies the measurement device; and the management device extracts the measurement device identifier from the measurement information received from the measurement device, and sends corrected measured data to the measurement device that corresponds to the measurement device identifier.
This method allows users of the measurement device to confirm the properly corrected measured data.
A third measurement support method of the present invention is a method for supporting measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials. The measurement device is connected to a management device via a communications network. The management device collects and manages measured data of the measurement device. The method includes the following: storing an expiration date of consumable materials in correspondence with a consumable material identifier that identifies the consumable materials in the management device; sending the consumable material identifier of consumable materials to be used in measurement from the measurement device to the management device before starting the measurement; allowing the management device to retrieve the expiration date of the consumable materials that corresponds to the consumable material identifier received from the measurement device and to send the expiration date to the measurement device; and allowing the measurement device to determine for every measurement whether the consumable materials to be used in the measurement are past the expiration date based on the expiration date received from the management device.
According to this method, the measurement device automatically determines whether the consumable materials to be used in measurement are past the expiration date based on the expiration date information of the consumable materials that is stored in the management device. Thus, it is not necessary for users of the measurement device to manage the expiration date of the consumable materials, thereby reducing the burden on the users.
In the third measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials are manufactured, the consumable material identifier is assigned uniquely to each unit of supply of the consumable materials to a user of the measurement device, and a recording medium that contains information about the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier is prepared and attached to each unit of supply of the consumable materials, the information including the expiration date of the consumable materials; and the management device reads the information from the recording medium to store the expiration date.
According to this method, users of the management device can store the consumable material information in the management device with a simple operation, which only requires the management device to read the recording medium that has been prepared by the manufacturers of the consumable materials.
In the third measurement support method, it is preferable that when the consumable materials to be used in measurement are past the expiration date, the measurement device sends an order for the consumable materials to the management device.
According to this method, the measurement device automatically orders consumable materials when the consumable materials are past the expiration date, thereby further reducing the user's burden of managing the consumable materials.
In the third measurement support method, it is preferable that the management device further stores degradation correcting information of measured data derived from measurement that uses the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier; the measurement device allows a user to choose whether to perform measurement or not when the consumable materials to be used in the measurement are past the expiration date; and the management device corrects the measured data that are included in the measurement information received from the measurement device by using the degradation correcting information that corresponds to the consumable material identifier in the measurement information.
This method can provide substantially reliable results of measurement by correcting the measured data even if the consumable materials are past the expiration date to a certain extent, thereby achieving efficient utilization of the consumable materials.
A first management device of the present invention is a device for supporting measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials. The management device is connected to the measurement device via a communications network. The consumable materials are assigned a consumable material identifier beforehand, which identifies the consumable materials. The measurement device sends measurement information to the management device after each measurement. The measurement information includes a measurement device identifier that identifies the measurement device, measured data derived from the measurement, and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in the measurement. The management device includes the following: a communication portion for communicating with the measurement device via the communications network; a storage portion for storing as an initial value the quantity of consumable materials supplied to a user for each measurement device; a stock determination portion for determining the stock of consumable materials kept by the user for each measurement device based on the initial value stored in the storage portion and a number of measurements performed by the measurement device after the initial value has been stored in the storage portion; a supply portion for taking a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device; and a control portion for controlling the stock determination portion to determine the stock of consumable materials of the measurement device based on the measurement device identifier and the consumable material identifier that are extracted from the measurement information on each receipt of the measurement information from the measurement device and for controlling the supply portion to take the procedure when the stock is lower than a predetermined level.
According to this configuration, the storage portion stores the quantity of consumable materials supplied to a user of the measurement device as an initial value. The consumable materials used in measurement can be specified by the consumable material identifier included in the measurement information that is transmitted from the measurement device to the management device after each measurement. The stock determination portion determines the stock of consumable materials based on the initial value stored in the storage portion and the number of measurements performed by the measurement device after the initial value has been stored in the storage portion. Moreover, when the stock of consumable materials is lower than a predetermined level, the supply portion takes a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device.
Thus, the management device, instead of users of the measurement device, automatically performs the stock management, procurement, etc. of consumable materials, thereby reducing the burden on the users.
A second management device of the present invention is a device for supporting measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials. The management device is connected to the measurement device via a communications network. The consumable materials are assigned a consumable material identifier beforehand, which identifies the consumable materials. The measurement device sends measurement information to the management device after each measurement. The measurement information includes at least measured data derived from the measurement and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in the measurement. The management device includes the following: a communication portion for communicating with the measurement device via the communications network; a consumable material information storage portion for storing measured data correcting information that corresponds to a production lot of the consumable materials in correspondence with the consumable material identifier; a data correction portion for correcting measured data based on the measured data correcting information; and a control portion for extracting the consumable material identifier and the measured data from the measurement information received from the measurement device, fetching the measured data correcting information of the production lot that corresponds to the consumable material identifier from the consumable material information storage portion, and controlling the data correction portion to correct the measured data based on the measured data correcting information.
According to this configuration, both the measured data of the measurement device and the consumable material identifier of the consumable materials used in measurement are transmitted to the management device. Thus, the management device can correct the measured data by the measured data correcting information of the consumable materials that is specified by the consumable material identifier. Therefore, it is not necessary for users of the measurement device to make a correction for every measurement, thereby achieving a management device that can reduce the burden on the users.
A first program recording medium of the present invention includes a program for controlling operations of a management device. The management device supports measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials and is connected to the measurement device via a communications network. The program executes the following processes: receiving measurement information from the measurement device, the measurement information including at least a measurement device identifier that identifies the measurement device and a consumable material identifier that identifies the consumable materials used in measurement; extracting the measurement device identifier and the consumable material identifier from the measurement information; referring to a storage table that stores as an initial value the quantity of consumable materials supplied to a user for each measurement device and fetching the initial value of the measurement device that corresponds to the measurement device identifier extracted; determining a stock of the consumable materials based on the initial value and the number of measurements performed by the measurement device after the initial value has been stored in the storage table; and taking a procedure for supplying the consumable materials to the user of the measurement device when the stock is lower than a predetermined level.
According to this program recording medium, a management device of the present invention can be achieved by running the recorded program in a CPU or the like.
A second program recording medium of the present invention includes a program for controlling operations of a management device. The management device supports measurement performed by a measurement device using consumable materials and is connected to the measurement device via a communications network. The program executes the following processes: receiving measurement information from the measurement device, the measurement information including at least measured data and a consumable material identifier that identifies the consumable materials used in measurement; extracting the consumable material identifier and the measured data from the measurement information; referring to a consumable material information storage table that stores measured data correcting information that corresponds to a production lot of the consumable materials in correspondence with the consumable material identifier and fetching the measured data correcting information of the production lot that corresponds to the consumable material identifier extracted; and correcting the measured data based on the measured data correcting information.
According to this program recording medium, a management device of the present invention can be achieved by running the recorded program in a CPU or the like. Examples of the first or second program recording medium include any recording medium that can be read by a computer, such as a ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a CD-ROM.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurement support system of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal measurement instrument that is included in the measurement support system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication device that is included in the measurement support system.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a host computer of a medical institution that is included in the measurement support system.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing operations of the personal measurement instrument and the communication device.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing operations of the host computer.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurement support system of another embodiment of the present invention.



BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
EMBODIMENT 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a measurement support system of this embodiment. In the measurement support system, as shown in FIG. 1, a host computer 1 (a management device) located in a medical institution A is connected to patients' homes B, C, . . . via public networks 10 such as a telephone network and the Internet. The host computer 1 also is connected to any other computer terminals 6, a storage device 7, etc. by a LAN 5 in the medical institution.
In each of the patients' homes B, C, . . . , a personal measuring instrument 3 (a measurement portion) for the patient is connected to a communication device 2 (a communication portion) by a communication cable 8, thus forming a measurement device. The communication device 2 is connected to the medical institution A via the public networks 10 and communicates with the host computer 1 via a modem 4.
The following is an explanation of the personal measuring instrument 3. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal measuring instrument 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the personal measuring instrument 3 includes a measurement portion 31, a converter 32, a memory 33, a device information storage portion 34, a controller 35, a communication portion 36, and a display portion 37.
The measurement portion 31 performs data measurement under the control of the controller 35 with a sensor that is adapted to the applications of the personal measuring instrument 3. For example, when the personal measuring instrument 3 is a blood sugar meter, a sensor electrically or optically measures blood sugar levels using a test paper on which a blood drop obtained from a patient's finger is placed. This sensor is thrown away after use, so that one sensor is used for each measurement.
The converter 32 performs IV or AD conversion of the information transmitted from the measurement portion 31 under the control of the controller 35 to determine the concentration of a substance to be measured and stores the resultant value in the memory 33 as measured data.
The device information storage portion 34 stores a device ID number (a measurement device identifier) that is assigned uniquely to each personal measuring instrument 3 and a patient ID number that recognizes the individual patient having the personal measuring instrument 3. The controller 35 controls the operations in each portion of the personal measuring instrument 3. The communication portion 36, which is connected to the communication device 2 by the cable 8, sends the measured data or the like to the communication device 2 under the control of the controller 35. The display portion 37 includes a liquid crystal display for showing messages, etc.
The following is an explanation of the communication device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 2 includes a liquid crystal display 2a and a keypad 2b for entering figures, characters, etc. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 2 includes a communication portion 21, a memory 22, a telephone device 23, a controller 24, a display portion 25, a clock 26, a key entry portion 27, and a reagent information storage portion 28.
The communication portion 21 is connected to the communication portion 36 of the personal measuring instrument 3 to receive the measured data or the like. The memory 22 stores the measured data or the like received by the communication portion 21. The telephone device 23 is connected to the public networks 10 and communicates with the host computer 1 via the public networks 10.
The controller 24 controls the operations in each portion of the communication device 2. The display portion 25 controls the liquid crystal display 2a to show various kinds of messages, etc. The key entry portion 27 (a recognition portion) receives input data including a reagent ID number (a consumable material identifier) that are fed manually by the patient through the keypad 2b. The reagent information storage portion 28 stores the reagent ID number and the expiration date of this reagent, which will be described in the following. A detailed explanation of the reagent ID number will be given later.
As the communication device 2, programmable cellular phones or PHS (Personal Handyphone System) can be used. In this embodiment, the communication device 2 and the personal measuring instrument 3 are separated from each other and connected by the cable 8, thus forming the measurement device. However, the communication device 2 and the personal measuring instrument 3 may be formed into an integral component. The device information storage portion 34 in FIG. 2 may be provided in the communication device 2, and the key entry portion 27 or the reagent information storage portion 28 in FIG. 3 may be provided in the personal measuring instrument 3.
The following is an explanation of the host computer 1 of the medical institution A. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the host computer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the host computer 1 includes a controller 11, a patient data storage portion 12, a data processor 13, a reagent information storage portion 14, a communication controller 15, a clock 16, a magnetic card reader 17, a reagent stock determination portion 18, and a reagent shipping portion 19.
The controller 11 controls the operations in each portion of the host computer 1. The communication controller 15 communicates with the communication device 2 located in each of the patients' homes via the modem 4. The data processor 13 performs an operation to correct the measured data transmitted from the individual patient based on calibration curve information and degradation correcting information.
The patient data storage portion 12 stores various data including a patient ID number assigned to each patient, the measured data (e.g., the blood sugar levels of the patient) that has been corrected by the data processor 13, i.e., the corrected measured data, and patient personal information such as last name, first name, and address.
The reagent information storage portion 14 stores information about reagents supplied to the individual patient (hereinafter, referred to as reagent information). The reagent information is offered by the reagent manufacturers and includes a reagent ID number, a lot number, an expiration date, calibration curve information, degradation correcting information, and a quantity of reagents per unit of supply. In this embodiment, the reagents for the personal measuring instrument 3 are supplied to each patient by a package of several tens of reagents as a unit. Thus, the reagent information storage portion 14 stores the quantity of reagents per package.
When the reagents for personal measuring instrument 3 are manufactured, the manufacturers assign a unique number to each unit of supply (i.e., a package in this embodiment) of reagents as the reagent ID number. Specifically, the reagent ID number is printed, e.g., on a label, and this label is attached to a package for shipping.
The reagent manufacturers prepare a magnetic card on which the lot number of reagents and the quantity of reagents per unit of supply are recorded in correspondence with each reagent ID number. This magnetic card is attached to the package for shipping. The magnetic card further contains the expiration date, the calibration curve information, and the degradation correcting information of the lot of reagents in correspondence with each lot number. In the medical institution A, the information of delivered reagents can be stored easily in the reagent information storage portion 14 of the host computer 1 by reading the magnetic card attached to the delivered reagents with the card reader 17 of the host computer 1.
A medium for recording the reagent information is not limited to the magnetic card and can be, e.g., IC cards and any other recording media or bar codes. In such a case, the magnetic card reader 17 may be replaced by an information reader depending on the medium used.
The reagent stock determination portion 18 and the reagent shipping portion 19, which will be described in detail later, serve to manage the stock of reagents supplied to each of the patients' homes B, C, . . . and to ship additional reagents from the medical institution A to the patient's home in the case of reduced stocks.
The operations of the measurement support system will be described in detail by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operations of the measurement device of this embodiment that includes the personal measuring instrument 3 and the communication device 2. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operations of the host computer 1.
As described above, the reagents used in the personal measurement instrument 3 for measurement have the reagent ID number per package. Before using a newly purchased package of reagents, the patient should enter the reagent ID number attached to this package.
The following is an explanation of an input process of the reagent ID number. The entry of the reagent ID number is required only at one time after purchasing new reagents and before using the reagents for measurement. Once the reagent ID number is entered, it is not necessary to repeat this input process as long as the reagents of the same package (i.e., having the same reagent ID number) are used.
As described above, the reagent ID number is assigned to each unit of supply of reagents to the patient. For example, sensors used in a blood sugar meter are available in cases, and one case includes several tens of sensors. Each case has a unique reagent ID number that is printed on the label at the time of manufacture. Therefore, the patient who purchased the sensors can type the reagent ID number by referring to the label attached to the case.
As shown in FIG. 5, when a patient purchases new reagents and has not entered the reagent ID number yet (the answer of S1 is “NO”), the patient should enter the reagent ID number with the keypad 2b. Then, the key entry portion 27 receives this entry and temporally stores the reagent ID number in the memory 22 (S2).
When the communication device 2 receives the reagent ID number, the telephone device 23 establishes a connection with the host computer 1 via the public networks 10 under the control of the controller 24, so that the reagent ID number is transmitted to the host computer 1 (S3).
As shown in FIG. 6, when the host computer 1 detects transmission from the communication device 2, it decides an operation according to the transmitted information and performs the operation under the control of the controller 11 (S22). In this case, the reagent ID number is sent from the communication device 2. Therefore, the controller 11 proceeds to perform S23, where an expiration date of the reagents is retrieved from the reagent information storage portion 14 by using the reagent ID number as a retrieval key. Next, the controller 11 obtains the current date and time from the clock 16 (S24).
Subsequently, the communication controller 15 sends the expiration date of the reagents and the current date and time, which are provided in S23 and S24, to the communication device 2 via the modem 4 and the public networks 10 (S25).
The controller 11 stores as an initial value the quantity of reagents purchased by the patient (the quantity of purchased reagents) in the patient data storage portion 12, and clears the number of measurements stored in the patient data storage portion 12 to be “zero” (S26). The quantity of purchased reagents can be determined by the quantity of reagents per package stored in the reagent information storage portion 14. Specifically, when the patient purchases a package of 25 reagents, the reagent information storage portion 14 stores “25,” so that the initial value to be stored in the patient data storage portion 12 is “25.”
After completion of S26, the controller 11 returns the operations to S21 and waits for transmission from the communication device 2.
On the other hand, the communication device 2 receives the expiration date of the reagents and the current date and time from the host computer 1 (S4 in FIG. 5). The expiration date is brought into correspondence with the reagent ID number entered in S2, which then are stored in the reagent information storage portion 28 (S5). Moreover, the clock 26 is adjusted according to the current date and time (S6). When these operations are finished, the telephone device 23 disconnects the host computer 1.
In this manner, the input process of the reagent ID number of purchased reagents is completed. Then, the patient can make measurement with the personal measuring instrument 3. The following is an explanation of the measurement operations of this system after the input process.
As described above, since the reagent ID number of purchased reagents has been entered (the answer of S1 is “YES”), the patient turns on the power of the personal measuring instrument 3 (S7). The on state of the personal measuring instrument 3 is transmitted from the communication portion 36 of the personal measuring instrument 3 to the communication portion 21 of the communication device 2 via the cable 8.
When the controller 24 of the communication device 2 detects the on state of the personal measuring instrument 3, it obtains the current date and time from the clock 26, compares them with the expiration date of the reagents stored in the reagent information storage portion 28, and examines whether the reagents are valid (S8).
If the reagents are not past the expiration date (the answer of S8 is “YES”), then the controller 24 proceeds to perform S10. However, if the reagents are past the expiration date (the answer of S8 is “NO”), the display portion 25 displays a warning message that “The reagents are out of date” on the liquid crystal display 2a of the communication device 2, followed by a confirmation message that “Are you going to continue measurement?” Thus, the patient can choose between continuing or stopping the measurement (S9).
After reading the message on the liquid crystal display 2a, the patient uses the keypad 2b to enter the information about continuation or interruption of the measurement. When the patient chooses to continue the measurement (the answer of S9 is “YES”), the controller 24 proceeds to perform S10. When the patient chooses to stop the measurement (the answer of S9 is “NO”), the controller 24 proceeds to perform S15. The process in S15 will be described later.
The reason measurement is not necessarily stopped even with out-of-date reagents in S8 and S9 is that substantially reliable results can be obtained by correcting the measured data in view of degradation when the reagents are not so much past their expiration date. The correction of measured data for degradation will be described later.
Before performing S10, the patient prepares for measurement as needed. For example, when the personal measuring instrument 3 is a blood sugar meter, the patient takes a sensor out of the case and sets the sensor in the personal measuring instrument 3. Then, the patient sticks his/her fingertip with a needle, squeezes the finger to obtain a very small amount of blood, and places it on the sensor in the personal measuring instrument 3.
When all necessary preparations are made, the measurement portion 31 of the personal measuring instrument 3 starts measurement (S10). In the case of the blood sugar meter, e.g., the measurement portion 31 automatically recognizes the dropping of blood on the sensor and obtains measured values that are output from the sensor after a predetermined time has passed since the dropping of blood.
When the measurement is finished, the results are sent to the host computer 1 in the medical institution A (S11). The following procedure is used in transmitting the results of measurement.
The controller 35 of the personal measuring instrument 3 sends the measured values thus obtained, together with the device ID number and the patient ID number stored in the device information storage portion 34, to the communication device 2 via the communication portion 36 and the cable 8. Upon recognizing the transmission of the measured values, etc., the communication device 2 obtains the date and time at this point from the dock 26 as representing measurement date and time. The measurement date and time are added to the information from the personal measuring instrument 3 including the measured values, the device ID number, and the patient ID number, and then are stored in the memory 22.
Next, the communication device 2 sends the results of measurement to the host computer 1 in the medical institution A by the following procedure. First, the telephone device 23 of the communication device 2 establishes a connection with the host computer 1 via the public networks 10 and the modem 4. Then, the communication device 2 transmits the device ID number and the patient ID number from the memory 22 to the host computer 1. After checking the device ID number and the patient ID number, the host computer 1 sends a data transmission request to the communication device 2.
When the communication device 2 receives the data transmission request from the host computer 1, the measured values and the measurement date and time are fetched from the memory 22, then combined with the reagent ID number stored in the reagent information storage portion 28, and sent to the host computer 1 as the results of measurement. In other words, the results of measurement transmitted from the communication device 2 to the host computer 1 include the measured values, the measurement date and time, and the reagent ID number.
With the above procedure, the results of measurement of each patient are transmitted from the personal measuring instrument 3 to the host computer 1 of the medical institution A.
When the host computer 1 detects that the results of measurement have been sent from the communication device 2, the controller 11 proceeds to perform S27, as shown in FIG. 6. In S27, a lot number of the reagent is retrieved from the reagent information storage portion 14 by using the reagent ID number as a retrieval key. Based on the lot number and the measurement date and time, calibration curve information and degradation correcting information of this lot also are retrieved from the reagent information storage portion 14 (S27).
The data processor 13 performs an operation to correct the measured values by using the calibration curve information and the degradation correcting information that have been provided in S27 (S28). The controller 11 stores the corrected measured data into the patient data storage portion 12 (S29).
Next, the reagent stock determination portion 18 performs the following operations under the control of the controller 11: updating the number of measurements stored in the patient data storage portion 12 by adding one to the number; comparing the updated number with the quantity of purchased reagents stored in the patient data storage portion 12 to yield a difference therebetween; and determining whether the patient has sufficient reagent stocks on hand based on a comparison of the difference and a predetermined value, e.g., ten (S30).
When the stock of reagents is sufficient (the answer of S30 is “YES”), the controller 11 sends only the corrected measured data in S28 to the communication device 2 via the communication controller 15 (S31). When the stock of reagents is not sufficient (the answer of S30 is “NO”), the controller 11 sends a reagent-order inquiry for the patient that is issued from the reagent shipping portion 19 as well as the corrected measured data to the communication device 2 (S32).
When the communication device 2 receives the corrected measured data that have been provided in S31 or S32 from the host computer 1 (S12 in FIG. 5), the display portion 25 displays the corrected measured data on the liquid crystal display 2a under the control of the controller 24 (S13).
If there is a reagent-order inquiry from the host computer 1 (the answer of S14 is “YES”), the display portion 25 displays a message that “The reagent stocks are running low. Are you going to order?” on the liquid crystal display 2a. Thus, the patient can choose whether to order additional reagents or not (S15).
When the patient has other reagents in reserve, he/she may choose not to order. For purchasing reagents, the patient can use the keypad 2b to enter the type, quantity, etc. of the reagents to be ordered in response to the message.
As can be seen from FIG. 5, even if the reagents are past the expiration date and the patient choose to stop the measurement (both answers of S8 and S9 are “NO”), S15 is performed. In this case, the display portion 25 displays a message that “The reagents are out of date. Are you going to order new reagents?” on the liquid crystal display 2a, instead of the above message. Thus, the patient can choose whether to order additional reagents or not.
When the patient has other reagents in reserve, he/she may choose not to order. For purchasing reagents, the patient can use the keypad 2b to enter the type, quantity, etc. of the reagents to be ordered in response to the message.
When the patient orders reagents with keypad 2b (the answer of S15 is “YES”), the key entry portion 27 receives this order-entry. Then, a request for shipping the reagents including the order of the patient is transmitted to the host computer 1 via the telephone device 23 (S16).
Thereafter, the controller 24 allows the display portion 25 to display a message that indicates the end of measurement on the liquid crystal display 2a (S17). When the power of the personal measuring instrument 3 is turned off (S18), all the processes are completed.
When the host computer 1 detects that the request for shipping reagents has been sent from the communication device 2, the controller 11 proceeds to perform S33, as shown in FIG. 6. In S33, the procedure for shipping reagents is performed by the reagent shipping portion 19.
The procedure for shipping reagents includes the following. The reagent shipping portion 19 fetches the personal information of a patient to whom the reagents are to be shipped, such as name and address, from the patient data storage portion 12, sends this information and the type and quantity of the reagents to the computer terminal 6 of a pharmacy in the medical institution A via the LAN 5, and delivers the reagents that are prescribed in the pharmacy to the patient home, e.g., by mail or home delivery service.
According to the above processes, the host computer 1 of the medical institution A manages the stocks of reagents supplied to a patient using the personal measuring instrument 3 and delivers additional reagents in the case of reduced stocks. Therefore, it is neither necessary for patients to carry out stock management nor to visit the medical institutions to purchase. reagents, thus reducing the burden on the patients.
Moreover, the host computer 1 can correct the measured data properly in view of the calibration curve and the degradation based on the production lot information of the reagents. This eliminates the need for corrections that have been made at every measurement by patients, which also can reduce the burden on the patients.
EMBODIMENT 2
The following is an explanation of another embodiment of a measurement support system of the present invention.
In the measurement support system of Embodiment 1, the ordering/delivering of reagents and the sending/receiving of measured data can be achieved only between the medical institution A and the patients' homes B, C, . . . In a measurement support system of this embodiment, however, any agencies other than medical institutions can supply reagents to patients or collect the measured data of each patient to be transmitted to a medical institution.
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of this measurement support system. In FIG. 7, an intermediary D and a reagent supplier E have host computers 41, 43 that are connected to public networks 10 via modems 42, 44, respectively. The intermediary D can be inspection institutions or the like.
In this system, a communication device 2 located in each of the patients' homes B, C, . . . is not connected to a medical institution A, but the intermediary D to send measured data, etc. The host computer 41 of the intermediary D functions as the host computer 1 in Embodiment 1, has the same configuration as that in FIG. 4, and performs the same process as that in the flow chart in FIG. 6.
When the results of measurement by the personal measuring instrument 3 of a patient are sent from the communication device 2, the host computer 41 corrects the measured data as described in Embodiment 1 and sends the corrected measured data to a host computer 40 of the medical institution A via the public networks 10. When a patient sends a request for shipping reagents because of a decrease in reagent stock, the host computer 41 transfers the order of the patient to the reagent supplier E. Then, the reagent supplier E delivers the ordered reagents to the patient's home. Therefore, the medical institution A manages only the corrected measured data under the host computer 40 and is not responsible for reagent stock management or shipping procedure.
The present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and various modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. For instance, though a blood sugar meter is referred to as an example of the personal measuring instrument 3, any other measuring instruments can be used as long as they require consumable materials, such as reagents and test papers. Moreover, the application filed of the present invention is not limited to medical service. Further, the management device is not limited to a host computer and can be a server, a personal computer, or the like.
The keypad, with which a user manually enters a consumable material identifier, is used as a recognition portion for allowing the measurement device to recognize the consumable material identifier. Instead of the keypad, e.g., a bar-code reader or the like may be provided in the measurement device to read the consumable material identifier before measurement.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
As described above, the management device of the present invention, which is connected to the measurement device via communications networks, performs the following operations: managing the stocks of consumable materials used in the measurement device; supplying the consumable materials; and correcting measured data in accordance with the state of the consumable materials. Thus, the present invention provides a measurement support system that can reduce the burden on users of the measurement device.

## Claims

1. A measurement support method for supporting measurement performed by a personal measurement device, used for a measurement of biological data, using consumable materials,
the personal measurement device being connected to a management device via a communications network, and the management device collecting and managing measured data of the personal measurement device,
the method comprising:
storing an expiration date of consumable materials in correspondence with a consumable material identifier that identifies the consumable materials in the management device;
sending the consumable material identifier of consumable materials to be consumed during the measurement from the personal measurement device to the management device before starting the measurement;
allowing the management device to retrieve the expiration date of the consumable materials that corresponds to the consumable material identifier received from the personal measurement device and to send the expiration date to the personal measurement device; and
allowing the personal measurement device to determine for every measurement whether the consumable materials to be consumed during the measurement axe past the expiration date based on the expiration date received from the management device;
wherein the consumable materials is one of a reagent, a test paper, or a sensor used for the measurement of biological data.

2. The measurement support method according to claim 1, wherein when the consumable materials are manufactured, the consumable material identifier is assigned uniquely to each unit of supply of the consumable materials to a user of the personal measurement device, and a recording medium that contains information about the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier is prepared and attached to each unit of supply of the consumable materials, the information including the expiration date of the consumable materials, and
the management device reads the information from the recording medium to store the expiration date.

3. The measurement support method according to claim 1, wherein when the consumable materials to be consumed during the measurement are past the expiration date, the personal measurement device sends an order for the consumable materials to the management device.

4. The measurement support method according to claim 1, wherein the management device further stores degradation correcting information of measured data derived from measurement that uses the consumable materials for each consumable material identifier,
the personal measurement device allows a user to choose whether to perform measurement or not when the consumable materials to be consumed during the measurement are past the expiration date, and
the management device corrects measured data that are included in the measurement information received from the personal measurement device by using the degradation correcting information that corresponds to the consumable material identifier in the measurement information.