Method and Apparatus for Providing Dynamic Multi-Stage Signal Amplification in a Medical Device

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing multi-stage signal amplification in a medical telemetry system are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 an analyte sensor configured to monitor an analyte level in a bodily fluid; and   sensor electronics operatively coupled to the analyte sensor, comprising:
 a signal source to provide a plurality of signals for the monitored analyte level; 
 a first amplifier operatively coupled to the signal source to receive a signal from the signal source, and to provide a first output signal; 
 a second amplifier operatively coupled to the first amplifier to step up the first output signal, the second amplifier comprising an output terminal to provide a second output signal corresponding to the stepped up first output signal; and 
 a processing unit operatively coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier to receive the first output signal and the second output signal, the processing unit configured to select one of the first output signal or the second output signal for processing according to a signal resolution of the second output signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to select one of the first output signal or the second output signal for processing by determining whether the signal resolution of the second output signal exceeds a predetermined tolerance level for an analog to digital converter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is configured to process the first output signal when the signal resolution of the second output signal exceeds the predetermined tolerance level. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a receiving device; wherein the sensor electronics comprises a communication component; and wherein the sensor electronics is configured to process the first output signal or the second output signal to obtain data corresponding to the monitored analyte level, and to communicate the data corresponding to the monitored analyte level to the receiving device using one or more of an RF communication protocol, an infrared communication protocol, a Bluetooth enabled communication protocol, or an 802.11x wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first amplifier includes a transimpedance amplifier. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode comprising an analyte-responsive enzyme bonded to a polymer disposed on the working electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the analyte-responsive enzyme is chemically bonded to the polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the working electrode further comprises a mediator. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode comprising a mediator bonded to a polymer disposed on the working electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the mediator is chemically bonded to the polymer. 
     
     
         11 . A device, comprising:
 a signal source to provide a plurality of signals;   a first amplifier operatively coupled to the signal source to receive a signal from the signal source, and to provide a first output signal;   a second amplifier operatively coupled to the first amplifier to step up the first output signal, the second amplifier comprising an output terminal to provide a second output signal corresponding to the stepped up first output signal; and   a processing unit operatively coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier to receive the first output signal and the second output signal, the processing unit configured to select one of the first output signal or the second output signal for processing according to a signal resolution of the second output signal.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the processing unit is configured to select one of the first output signal or the second output signal for processing by determining whether the signal resolution of the second output signal exceeds a predetermined tolerance level for an analog to digital converter. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing unit is configured to process the first output signal when the signal resolution of the second output signal exceeds the predetermined tolerance level. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a communication component; wherein the processing unit is configured to process the first output signal or the second output signal to obtain data corresponding to a monitored analyte level, and to communicate the data corresponding to the monitored analyte level to a receiving device using one or more of an RF communication protocol, an infrared communication protocol, a Bluetooth enabled communication protocol, or an 802.11x wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first amplifier includes a transimpedance amplifier. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the signal source is to provide a plurality of signals for an analyte level monitored by an analyte sensor, the analyte sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode comprising an analyte-responsive enzyme bonded to a polymer disposed on the working electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the analyte-responsive enzyme is chemically bonded to the polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the working electrode further comprises a mediator. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the signal source is to provide a plurality of signals for an analyte level monitored by an analyte sensor, the analyte sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode comprising a mediator bonded to a polymer disposed on the working electrode. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the mediator is chemically bonded to the polymer.