Sensing system with auxiliary display

Abstract

A system is provided for sensing blood glucose data of a patient. The system includes a sensor, user interface, and an optional auxiliary device. If the connection between the sensor and user interface is by a wire, the sensor remains powered when the wire is disconnected. The communication between the sensor and the user interface may be wireless. The auxiliary device can be a patient monitor or other display or signal device, which displays information about the blood glucose data collected by the sensor. The sensor is connected to sensor electronics, which include a sensor power supply, a voltage regulator, and optionally a memory and processor.

1 . A system for sensing blood glucose concentration of a person, the system comprising:
 a sensor to sense blood glucose data;   sensor electronics attached to the sensor and configured to communicate with the sensor, the sensor electronics including a sensor power supply to supply power to the sensor, said sensor power supply being activated when the sensor is connected to a device selected from the group consisting of a user interface and a patient monitor;   a user interface configured to communicate wirelessly with the sensor electronics; and   a patient monitor configured to communicate wirelessly with the user interface and including a display to display information representative of the blood glucose data sensed by the sensor,   wherein the sensor power supply continues to supply power to the sensor when the sensor electronics are not in communication with the user interface and the patient monitor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor electronics include memory to store information representative of the blood glucose data sensed by the sensor and to store reference values for calibration of the blood glucose data received from the sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface includes an input for inputting information into the memory of the sensor electronics. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor power supply comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one battery is rechargeable, and at least one of the user interface and the patient monitor includes a power source for providing power to the sensor electronics for recharging the at least one battery. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor electronics include a processor to process the blood glucose data received from the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a connector, and the sensor electronics are attached to the sensor using the connector. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor electronics are configured to communicate with a second user interface separate from said user interface and said patient monitor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a real-time sensor to sense blood glucose data in real time. 
     
     
         10 . A system for sensing blood glucose concentration of a person, the system comprising:
 a sensor to sense blood glucose data;   sensor electronics attached to the sensor and configured to communicate with the sensor, sensor electronics including a sensor power supply to supply power to the sensor, said sensor power supply being activated when the sensor is connected to a device selected from the group consisting of a user interface and a patient monitor; and   a user interface configured to communicate wirelessly with the sensor electronics,   wherein the sensor power supply continues to supply power to the sensor when the sensor electronics are not in communication with said device.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor electronics include memory to store information representative of the blood glucose data sensed by the sensor and to store reference values for calibration of the blood glucose data received from the sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the user interface includes an input for inputting information into the memory of the sensor electronics. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor power supply comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one battery is rechargeable, and said device includes a power source for providing power to the sensor electronics for recharging the at least one battery. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor electronics include a processor to process the blood glucose data received from the sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor includes a connector, and the sensor electronics are attached to the sensor using the connector. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor electronics are configured to communicate with a second user interface separate from said device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is a real-time sensor to sense blood glucose data in real time.