Health Management Devices and Methods

Abstract

Methods and devices and systems including a data collection module for receiving and storing analyte data over a predetermined time period from a subject, a user interface unit coupled to the data collection module for providing one or more indication related to the analyte data, a control unit coupled to the data collection module and the user interface unit to control, at least in part the operation of the data collection module and the user interface unit, a communication module coupled to the control unit for communicating one or more signals associated with the analyte data to a remote location, where the user interface unit is configured to operate in a prospective analysis mode including substantially real time output of the analyte level received by the data collection module, and a retrospective analysis mode including limited output of information to the subject during the predetermined time period, and further where the communication module is configured to communicate with the remote location after the analyte data is received and stored in the data collection module over the predetermined time period, are provided.

1 . A health management system, comprising:
 a data processing unit to process one or more signals related to a monitored analyte level of a patient and to associate a reimbursement code with the patient;   a memory operatively coupled to the data processing unit to store the processed one or more signals related to the monitored analyte level, the reimbursement code, a patient identifier, or combinations thereof; and   a communication unit operatively coupled to the data processing unit to communicate the processed one or more signals.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the data processing unit generates an electronic record associated with the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the electronic record includes a medical record. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the electronic record is associated with one or more of the patient identifier, the reimbursement code, or the processed one or more signals related to the monitored analyte level. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communicated processed one or more signals are encrypted. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communication unit communicates the processed one or more signals using one or more of a wired connection or a wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the wireless communication protocol includes a radio frequency (RF) communication protocol, optical communication protocol, Bluetooth communication protocol, or Zigbee communication protocol. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the wired connection includes a universal serial bus (USB) connection or a cable connection. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the processed one or more signals related to the monitored analyte level includes a monitored glucose level. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further including an output unit operatively coupled to the data processing unit, the output unit providing an output indication associated with the monitored analyte level. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the reimbursement code is automatically determined. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the determined reimbursement code is automatically entered into the patient's record. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the communication unit receives the one or more signals related to the monitored analyte level from an analyte monitoring device in signal communication with an analyte sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the analyte monitoring device is positionable on a skin surface of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the analyte sensor is transcutaneously positioned through a skin layer of the patient and maintained in continuous fluid contact with an interstitial fluid under the skin layer over a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined time period includes approximately three days, approximately five days or approximately seven days. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined time period coincides with a predetermined analyte sensor life. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 processing with a data processing unit one or more signals related to a monitored analyte level of a patient received from an analyte sensor;   automatically associating a reimbursement code with the patient;   storing in a memory the processed one or more signals related to the monitored analyte level, the reimbursement code, a patient identifier, or combinations thereof; and   communicating the processed one or more signals.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including generating an electronic record associated with the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the electronic record includes a medical record.