Method and Device for Determining Elapsed Sensor Life

Abstract

Methods and systems for determining elapsed sensor life in medical systems, and more specifically continuous analyte monitoring systems.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for processing sensor data of a continuous analyte sensor implanted within a body, comprising:
 initializing the sensor;   applying a first set of time-dependent algorithmic functions to data associated with the sensor during a first interval based on a first elapsed time since the sensor was implanted; and   applying a second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions to the data associated with the sensor during a second interval after the first interval based on a second elapsed time since the sensor was implanted.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein initializing the sensor comprises engaging electronics associated with the sensor with a housing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein engagement of the electronics with the receiving unit is detected and initialization commences automatically upon detection of the engagement. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising determining whether the sensor has been previously used. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the first set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprises applying drift compensation to the data associated with the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprise first and second boundaries of acceptability. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first sensitivity value and the second boundary comprises a second sensitivity value. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first baseline value and the second boundary comprises a second baseline value. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first drift rate of the sensitivity over a time period and the second boundary comprises a second drift rate of the sensitivity over time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first drift rate of the baseline over a time period and the second boundary comprises second drift rate of the baseline over time. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first boundary delineates acceptable slopes and baselines of a conversion function and the second boundary delineates acceptable slopes and baselines of the conversion function. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprise first and second parameters associated with the conversion function. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the wherein the first and second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprise first and second drift compensation functions. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second drift compensation functions differ in the amount of drift compensation that they apply. 
     
     
         16 . A system for processing sensor data of a continuous analyte sensor implanted within a body, comprising:
 a continuous analyte sensor configured to be implanted within a body; and   sensor electronics configured to receive and process sensor data output by the sensor, the sensor electronics including a processor configured to:   initialize the sensor;   apply a first set of time-dependent algorithmic functions to an data associated with the sensor during a first interval based on a first elapsed time since the sensor was implanted; and   apply a second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions to the data associated with the sensor during a second interval after the first interval based on a second elapsed time since the sensor was implanted.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein initialization of the sensor commences automatically when the sensor electronics engages a housing. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein engagement of the electronics with the receiving unit is detected and initialization commences automatically upon detection of the engagement. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the sensor has been previously used. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein applying the first set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprises applying drift compensation to the data associated with the sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprise first and second boundaries of acceptability. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first sensitivity value and the second boundary comprises a second sensitivity value. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first baseline value and the second boundary comprises a second baseline value. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first drift rate of the sensitivity over a time period and the second boundary comprises second drift rate of the sensitivity over time. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first boundary comprises a first drift rate of the baseline over a time period and the second boundary comprises second drift rate of the baseline over time. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first boundary delineates acceptable slopes and baselines of a conversion function and the second boundary delineates acceptable slopes and baselines of the conversion function. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprise first and second parameters associated with the conversion function. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second set of time-dependent algorithmic functions comprise first and second drift compensation functions. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second drift compensation functions differ in the amount of drift compensation that they apply.