Devices used in connection with continuous analyte monitoring that provide the user with one or more notifications, and related methods

Abstract

Devices and methods for providing a user with alerts are provided. The alerts may take different forms, such as an output to a display, a speaker, a vibration module, a shock module, etc. The alerts provide the user with sufficient information to take appropriate action, but the devices may be of limited functionality to enhance their compactness, discreetness, wearability, etc., while also lowering their cost to manufacture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable device for providing an alert to a user regarding the user's blood glucose value, the device comprising:
 a communication module for receiving a signal from a transmitter of a continuous glucose monitoring device; and   an alert interface configured to provide a first alert when the wearer's blood glucose value is within a predetermined range, and a second alert that the wearer's blood glucose value is outside the predetermined range.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a band configured to be worn about a wrist of a wearer, wherein the communication module and the alert interface are incorporated into the band. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the band comprises a closed loop having no endpoints. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the band is constructed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the alert interface comprises a display including at least one of a liquid crystal display, one or more light-emitting diodes, one or more organic light-emitting diodes, an electronic paper display, a color- or pattern-changing material, or a text display. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to relay the signal received from the transmitter to another electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the communication module is configured to store data received from the transmitter and relay the data to the other electronic device at regular intervals. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the device is configured to process or partially process the data prior to relaying it to the other electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the communication module is configured to store data received from the transmitter and relay the data to the other electronic device upon user request. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a user request to relay the data may be initiated using the device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the communication module is configured to relay the signal received from the transmitter to the another electronic device in response to a trigger. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the trigger comprises a user request, a glucose concentration, a change in state or zone or range of a glucose concentration, or glucose information meeting one or more predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a functionality of the alert interface is limited to providing positive feedback when the user's blood glucose remains within a desired glucose range for a set period of time, and providing negative feedback when the user's blood glucose is outside the desired glucose range. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be in physical contact with skin of a wearer at all times when worn by the wearer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing an alert to a user regarding the user's blood glucose value, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal providing information about the user's current blood glucose value; and   providing a first alert when the user's current glucose concentration is within a predetermined range, and a second alert when the user's current glucose concentration is outside the predetermined range.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising relaying the signal to an electronic device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising storing data received from the signal and relaying the data to the electronic device at regular intervals. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising processing or partially processing the data prior to relaying it to the electronic device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising storing data received from the signal and relaying the data to the electronic device when the user requests. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , the signal is received using a first wireless communication protocol and relayed using a second, different, wireless communication protocol.