Signal processing for continuous analyte sensor

Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently estimating analyte data from a continuous analyte sensor, including receiving a data stream, selecting one of a plurality of algorithms, and employing the selected algorithm to estimate analyte values. Additional data processing includes evaluating the selected estimative algorithms, analyzing a variation of the estimated analyte values based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, comparing the estimated analyte values with corresponding measure analyte values, and providing output to a user. Estimation can be used to compensate for time lag, match sensor data with corresponding reference data, warn of upcoming clinical risk, replace erroneous sensor data signals, and provide more timely analyte information encourage proactive behavior and preempt clinical risk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An analyte monitoring system, the system comprising:
 an analyte sensor configured to generate sensor data;   a processor module configured to:
 receive the sensor data; 
 receive reference data generated by a reference analyte monitor; 
 determine a time lag between the sensor data and the reference data; 
 match one or more sensor data points of the sensor data with one or more data points of the reference data based on the determined time lag; and 
 calibrate at least some of the sensor data using the matched data; and 
   an output module configured to output information representative of the calibrated sensor data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor module is configured to calculate a first time lag between sensor data and reference data associated with a first time period and calculate a second time lag between sensor data and reference data associated with a second time period, wherein the first time lag is different than the second time lag. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to match by forming a first matched data by matching one or more sensor data points of the sensor data with one or more data points of the reference data based on the first calculated time lag, and forming a second matched data by matching one or more sensor data points of the sensor data with one or more data points of the reference data based on the second calculated time lag. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processor module is configured to form a conversion function or to modify a conversion function using the first and second matched data. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the processor module is configured to calibrate by converting the at least some of the sensor data into glucose concentration values using the conversion function. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a subcutaneous glucose sensor and wherein the reference analyte monitor is a blood glucose meter. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a transcutaneous glucose sensor and wherein the reference analyte monitor is a blood-glucose meter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor module is configured to calculate by taking into account one or more of a) a physiological time lag with respect to reference data and sensor data, b) a membrane-induced time lag, or c) a computationally-induced time lag. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor is configured to measure an interstitial glucose concentration of a host and the reference monitor is configured to measure a blood glucose concentration of the host. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor module is configured to match by selecting an algorithm from a plurality of algorithms based on the time lag information. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to measure a time lag associated with at least some of the sensor data and at least some of the reference data, wherein the processor module is configured to calculate the time lag using the measured time lag. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output module comprises a user interface configured to provide information representative of the calibrated sensor data to a user. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output module is configured to transmit information representative of the calibrated sensor data to one or more of a computer or an insulin pump. 
     
     
         14 . A method for monitoring an analyte concentration in a host, comprising:
 generating sensor data using a continuous analyte sensor;   receiving reference data generated by a reference analyte monitor;   periodically determining one or more time lag factors associated with a time lag between the sensor data and the reference data;   dynamically adjusting a time lag value using the determined time lag factors;   forming matched data pairs by matching one or more sensor data points of the sensor data with one or more reference data points of the reference data based on the dynamically adjusted time lag value;   calibrating at least some of the sensor data using the matched data pairs; and   outputting information indicative of the calibrated sensor data.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the time lag factors include one of a) a physiological time lag with respect to reference data and sensor data, b) a membrane-induced time lag, or c) a computationally-induced time lag. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming matched data pairs comprises averaging a plurality of sensor data points and matching the averaged plurality of sensor data points with a reference data point to form a matched data pair. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein forming matched data pairs comprises forming a first matched data pair based on the dynamically adjusted time lag value and forming a second data pair based on the dynamically adjusted time lag value, wherein the value of the dynamically adjusted time lag value is different when forming the first matched data pair that when forming the second matched data pair. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a subcutaneous glucose sensor, and wherein the reference analyte monitor is a blood glucose meter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a transcutaneous glucose sensor, and wherein the reference analyte monitor is a blood glucose meter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming a conversion function or modifying a conversion function using the matched data pairs. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the calibrating includes converting the at least some of the sensor data into glucose concentration values using the conversion function. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein outputting comprises displaying information representative of the calibrated sensor data on a user interface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein outputting comprises transmitting information representative of the calibrated sensor data to one or more of a computer and an insulin pump.