Abstract:
A diabetes monitoring watch is shown with a computing system located in the watch, including a glucose monitoring system, a pulse rate monitor, a body temperature monitor, and an alert system. The system looks at the glucose level, the body temperature, and the heart rate and determines if the diabetic is in need of assistance. The diabetes monitoring watch also has an alert system for notification of the individual or other individuals if the person is in need.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/844282 filed Sep. 14, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a wrist watch for monitoring the overall health of a diabetic patient. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Diabetes affects millions of Americans and tens of millions world-wide. Diabetes is the inability of the body to properly metabolized glucose resulting in hyperglycemia. The long term physical manifestations of hyperglycemia are pronounced: including, but not limited to heart disease, atherosclosis, blindness, stroke, hypertension and kidney failure. 
         [0006]    Hyperglycemia is present when the blood glucose levels consistently exceed 126 mg/dL or 7 mmol/L. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperglycemia#Measurement and definition). When hyperglycemia becomes severe, patients may develop one of two potentially life-threatening complications: diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). (See http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_ga3689/is — 200108/ai_n8967972). 
         [0007]    The increase in the risk of heart disease for chronic suffers of hyperglycemia can lead to an increase in the risk of heart attacks. A symptom of the onset of a myocardial infarction (e.g. heart attack) being an increased or irregular heart rate. Also during exercise by a diabetic the monitoring of heart rate can be used to roughly calculate the amount of carbohydrates to ingest to maintain proper blood sugar levels. (see http://www.idea2000.org/moreinfo/docs/diabetes_polar_tips.html). 
         [0008]    One method of maintaining blood glucose levels involves determining the caloric count of foods and then determining the amount of food to eat to maintain the proper blood sugar level ( see http://www.endocrineweb.com/diabetes/treatment.html). 
         [0009]    The prior art describes systems for predicting blood glucose levels. U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,648 (Feb. 13, 2001) to Olsen describes a wristwatch device where the person can manually calculate carbohydrate counts. U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,601 B2 (May 7, 2007) to Plancon, et. al depicts a wristwatch display system that conveys analog information on the face of a wristwatch. 
         [0010]    The prior art also describes systems for non-invasive monitoring glucose levels that may be incorporated into a wristwatch. U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,199 B2 (Feb. 6, 2007) to Berner, et. al describes a method of monitoring glucose levels specifically in the blood. U.S. Pat. No. 7,084,976 (Aug. 1, 2006) to Morokawa, et. al depicts an earring like device that monitors glucose concentration levels. U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,153 B2 (Dec. 12, 2006) to Rowe depicts a multispectral glucose monitoring system. 
         [0011]    The prior art describes monitoring the caloric expenditure rate of the individual. U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,200 (May 27, 2003) to Mault describes a computer based apparatus that determines caloric expenditure based on activity monitors and a GPS input. U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,220 (May 22, 2007) to Stubbs, et. al depicts an exercise monitoring system which monitors physiological signals and incorporates a GPS unit. 
         [0012]    The prior art also describes predictive algorithms for determining the onset of hypoglycemia. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,783 B1 (Aug. 2, 2005) to Kovatchev, et. al describing a non-linear model and implementation for hypoglycemia. 
         [0013]    None of the aforementioned devices provide a wearable diabetes monitoring system which can predict when person may need to take food at a particular time and can notify the person when their blood sugar exceeds a particular range. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present inventive subject matter overcomes problems in the prior art by providing a diabetic monitoring wristwatch with the following qualities, alone or in combination. 
         [0015]    The present inventive concept monitors three physiological factors associated with being a diabetic and integrates this monitoring function into a single wristwatch. 
         [0016]    The diabetes monitoring watch is attached to the wrist of an individual, and continuously monitors the individual&#39;s blood glucose levels. If a combination of the blood glucose levels of the individual exceed a preset band of acceptable values, in combination with other physiological parameters, such as the: rate of heartbeat, temperature, the watch will alert the individual or other parties of this condition. This notification can be done either by sound, vibration, or by activation of other devices through an electronic interface. 
         [0017]    The wristwatch will also be water resistant, to allow use while involved in sporting activities or while showering. 
         [0018]    The wristwatch will also be aesthetically pleasing, so as to not alert other people that the individual may suffer from any number of glucose related maladies. 
         [0019]    These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the following detailed descriptions and the figures. 
         [0020]    The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodiments and features of the present inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the diabetic monitoring watch. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the diabetic monitoring watch. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a systems diagram of the diabetic monitoring watch. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a software flow chart of the diabetic monitoring watch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    While describing the invention and its embodiments various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates the face of the watch  10 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the back of the watch  200 . The face of the watch  10  consists of the following metabolic monitoring features: temperature display  30 , pulse rate monitoring  60 , and glucose monitor  160 . 
         [0027]    The body temperature display  30  on the watch  10  consists of a dial that ranges from a low body temperature to a high body temperature. In this embodiment the body temperature display  30  ranges from 90 to 105 degrees F. A more narrow range of body temperatures may be displayed in other embodiments, for example from 98 to 103 degrees F. In other embodiments a digital display for the body temperature may be used in lieu of a dial display. The body temperature is measured by the temperature sensor  210  mounted on the back of the watch  200 . 
         [0028]    The pulse rate monitor display  60  on the watch  10  consists of a dial that ranges from a low pulse rate to a high pulse rate. In this embodiment the pulse rate monitor ranges from 40 beats per minute to 120 beats per minute. A more narrow or wider range of pulse rates may be displayed in other embodiments. In other embodiments a digital display for the pulse rates may be used in lieu of a dial display. The pulse rate is measured by the pulse rate sensor  220  mounted on the back of the watch  200 . 
         [0029]    The glucose level indicator  160  on the watch  10  consists of a dial that ranges from a low amount to a high amount. In this embodiment, the glucose level ranges from 50 to 250 mg/dl. A more narrow or wider range of glucose level displays may be displayed in other embodiments. In other embodiments a digital display for the glucose levels may be used in lieu of a dial display. The glucose level is measured by the transdermal glucose sensor  230  mounted on the back of the watch  200 . 
         [0030]    The internal functions of the watch are configured through a twelve alarm button  100 , and the medical data bank button  140 . 
         [0031]    The watch also consists of the ability to display time with a second hand  20 , and an hour hand  40 . Other embodiments include a digital display in lieu of a second and hour hand configuration. 
         [0032]    The watch is affixed to the person with straps  50 ,  80 . The strap  50  is inserted into strap  80  in a looping fashion and held by a buckle or a hook and pile assembly (such as Velcro). 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 3  which shows a block diagram of the glucose monitoring wristwatch. 
         [0034]    The CPU  310  is the central processing unit located within the wristwatch. A number of CPU&#39;s  310  that are well known in the arts may be used, including, but not limited to, 16 bit and 32 bit microprocessors. The CPU  310  also incorporates Read Only Memory (not shown) for stored program instructions and Random Access Memory (not shown) for operational memory. The CPU  310  may be connected to peripheral devices via a direct connection or using bus configuration. 
         [0035]    The CPU  310  is connected to a temperature interface  320 , a glucose level interface  330 , and a heart rate monitor  340 . The CPU is connected to a time display  350 , a glucose level display  360 , and a temperature display  370 . Also connected is a vibratory alert  380  and a auditory alert  390 . Controlling the system is the twelve alarm button  400 . 
         [0036]    The temperature interface  320  monitors body temperature using a direct contact with the skin. The temperature interface  320  is a dermal contact device located on the rear of the watch shown as temperature sensor  210  in  FIG. 2 . The temperature interface is of a type similar to the MiniMitter Vitalsense Skin Temperature Patch (see http://www.minimitter.com/ProductsNitalSense/temperature.html#patch). The temperature interface  320  converts the body temperature represented by an analog electrical signal into a digital value that can be processed by the CPU  310 . 
         [0037]    The glucose level interface  330  monitors glucose levels by a transdermal glucose sensor  230  mounted to the back of the watch  200  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The glucose level interface  330  transdermal glucose sensor  230  is of a type similar to the Glucowatch®. 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 4  which shows a flowchart of the operation of the glucose-monitoring wristwatch. In the first step, the system is initialized  610 . The system checks the glucose level  620 . The system checks the body temperature  630 . The system checks the heart rate  640 . The system then compares the glucose level, body temperature, and heart rate  650  via an internal algorithm. If the glucose level is outside the set range  660  then the watch will send a glucose alert signal  670  and repeat the process. If the heart rate is outside the set range  680  then the watch will send a heart rate alert signal  690 . If the body temperature is outside the set range  700 , then the watch will send a body temperature alert signal. If a combination of the heart rate, body temperature, and glucose levels are outside the combined set ranges  710 , then an alert is set. 
         [0039]    The system is configured by using the twelve alarm button. The configuration using a single button is well known in the arts and consists of a series of button presses to set time, date, glucose ranges, heart rate ranges, and body temperature ranges. The twelve alarm button also permits the setting of interval alerts to notify the person to take medications, in particular medications that aide in the process of glucose monitoring.