Minimally invasive methods of monitoring analyte concentration

Abstract

A method of monitoring the concentration of an analyte in a host or portion thereof over a given period of time. The method includes the steps of: (a) making a first analyte concentration measurement at a first point of time using a single use analyte concentration measuring device; (b) making a second analyte concentration measurement at a second point in time using a single use analyte concentration measuring device; and (c) making one or more additional analyte concentration measurements using another single use measuring device, wherein the analyte concentration measurements are made according to a selected schedule to monitor the concentration of analyte in a host over a given portion of time.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of monitoring the concentration of analyte in a host, said method comprising: 
 selecting a time period over which said analyte concentration is monitored;    selecting a scheduling mode for monitoring said analyte concentration over said time period;    making two or more analyte concentration measurements during said time period according to said scheduling mode, wherein said measurements are made automatically without human intervention;    modifying said scheduling mode based on results of said two or more analyte concentration measurements; and    making one or more additional analyte concentration measurements during said time period according to said modified scheduling mode, wherein said additional measurements are made automatically without human intervention.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said scheduling mode comprises a measurement frequency.  
     
     
         3 . The method of claim, 2 wherein said modifying said scheduling mode comprises increasing said measurement frequency.  
     
     
         4  The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of said measurements and said additional measurements are performed using a single use analyte concentration measurement means.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said host comprises interstitial fluid.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said measurements and said additional measurements are made in situ.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said measurements and said additional measurements are made ex vivo.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method employs a device that comprises: 
 a plurality of measurement means; and    an activation means that activates each of said plurality of measurement means according to a predetermined schedule.    
     
     
         9 . A method of monitoring the concentration of analyte in a host, said method comprising: 
 selecting a time period over which said analyte concentration is monitored;    selecting a scheduling mode for monitoring said analyte concentration over said time period;    making a plurality of analyte concentration measurements during said time period according to said scheduling mode, wherein said measurements are made automatically without human intervention; and    temporarily interrupting said scheduling mode to make an analyte concentration measurement during said time period, wherein said measurement is made with human intervention.