Method and System for Providing Continuous Calibration of Implantable Analyte Sensors

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing continuous monitoring of analytes using analyte sensors are disclosed. Techniques include a receiving device comprising a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a first and second transmitter unit, processors coupled to the communication unit and a memory coupled to the processors storing instructions which, when executed by the processors receive one or more first data signals from the first transmitter unit; receive, while the first glucose sensor is positioned and the second glucose sensor is positioned, a user input corresponding to a code; receive one or more second data signals from the second transmitter unit, wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the second transmitter unit after termination of wireless communication with the first transmitter unit; process the second data signals to produce processed data signals; and provide the processed data signals for display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A receiving device for a glucose monitoring system, comprising:
 a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with
 a first transmitter unit, wherein the first transmitter unit is electrically and communicatively coupled to a first glucose sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode and a reference electrode, wherein the first glucose sensor is positioned with a first portion of the first glucose sensor above a user's skin and a second portion of the first glucose sensor inserted through the skin and in contact with a bodily fluid of the user, wherein the first glucose sensor is configured to detect a glucose level of the bodily fluid, wherein the first glucose sensor is configured to expire after an amount of time corresponding to a sensor life time period has elapsed after the first glucose sensor is positioned, and 
 a second transmitter unit wherein the second transmitter unit is electrically and communicatively coupled to a second glucose sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode and a reference electrode, wherein the second glucose sensor is positioned with a first portion of the second glucose sensor above the user's skin and a second portion of the second glucose sensor inserted through the skin and in contact with the bodily fluid, wherein the second glucose sensor is configured to detect the glucose level of the bodily fluid; 
   one or more processors operatively coupled to the communication unit; and   a memory operatively coupled to the one or more processors for storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors:
 receive one or more first data signals from the first transmitter unit, wherein the first data signals received from the first transmitter unit are associated with one or more glucose levels of the bodily fluid detected by the first glucose sensor; 
 receive, while the first glucose sensor is positioned with the second portion of the first glucose sensor inserted through the skin and the second glucose sensor is positioned with the second portion of the second glucose sensor inserted through the skin, a user input corresponding to a code; 
 receive one or more second data signals from the second transmitter unit, wherein the second data signals received from the second transmitter unit are associated with one or more glucose levels of the bodily fluid detected by the second glucose sensor, 
 wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the second transmitter unit after termination of wireless communication with the first transmitter unit; 
 process the second data signals to produce one or more processed data signals; and 
 provide the processed data signals for display. 
   
     
     
         2 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the first glucose sensor and the second glucose sensor are positioned prior to the expiration of the first glucose sensor and during an overlap time period. 
     
     
         3 . The receiving device of  claim 2 , wherein the overlap time period is less than 10 hours. 
     
     
         4 . The receiving device of  claim 2 , wherein the overlap time period is less than 10% of the sensor life time period. 
     
     
         5 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein, during the overlap time period, the second glucose sensor reaches a point of stable operation. 
     
     
         6 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the user input corresponding to the code is received before wireless communication with the first transmitter unit is terminated. 
     
     
         7 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the user input corresponding to the code is received after wireless communication with the first transmitter unit is terminated. 
     
     
         8 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first transmitter unit and the second transmitter unit substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the code is determined during a manufacturing process of the second glucose sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the code comprises a sensor code associated with the second glucose sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The received device of  claim 1 , wherein the code is further associated with sensor calibration of the second glucose sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further use the code to calibrate the second data signals while processing the second data signals. 
     
     
         13 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first transmitter unit and the second transmitter unit using a Bluetooth-enabled communication protocol. 
     
     
         14 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause display of a prompt to enter the code. 
     
     
         15 . The receiving device of  claim 14 , wherein the prompt is displayed prior to termination of wireless communication between the receiving device and the first transmitter unit. 
     
     
         16 . The receiving device of  claim 14 , wherein the prompt is displayed prior to the receiving unit processing the second data signals. 
     
     
         17 . The receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the second glucose sensor is calibrated without a fingerstick measurement. 
     
     
         18 . A method for monitoring glucose levels in a bodily fluid of user with a first glucose sensor, a second glucose sensor, and a receiving device, the method comprising:
 positioning the first glucose sensor with a first portion of the first glucose sensor above a user's skin and a second portion of the first glucose sensor inserted through the skin and in contact with the bodily fluid of the user, wherein the first glucose sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode and a reference electrode and is configured to detect a glucose level of the bodily fluid, wherein the first glucose sensor is electrically and communicatively coupled to a first transmitter unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the receiver unit, wherein the first glucose sensor is configured to expire after an amount of time corresponding to a sensor life time period has elapsed after the first glucose sensor is positioned;   positioning the second glucose sensor with a first portion of the second glucose sensor above the user's skin and a second portion of the second glucose sensor inserted through the skin and in contact with the bodily fluid of the user, wherein the second glucose sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes including a working electrode and a reference electrode and is configured to detect a glucose level of the bodily fluid, wherein the second glucose sensor is electrically and communicatively coupled to a second transmitter unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the receiver unit;   before removing the first glucose sensor from the skin, providing, to the receiver unit, a user input corresponding to a code, wherein the receiver unit comprises a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the first transmitter unit and the second transmitter unit, wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the second transmitter unit after termination of wireless communication with the first transmitter unit; and   removing the first glucose sensor from the skin.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first glucose sensor and the second glucose sensor are positioned prior to the expiration of the first glucose sensor and during an overlap time period. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the overlap time period is less than 10 hours. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the overlap time period is less than 10% of the predetermined time period after the first glucose sensor is positioned. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising further providing the user input corresponding to the code before expiration of the first glucose sensor. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising further providing the user input corresponding to the code in response to a prompt displayed by the receiver unit requesting the code. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising further providing the user input corresponding to the code before wireless communication with the first transmitter unit is terminated. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising further removing the first glucose sensor from the skin after wireless communication between the communication unit and the first transmitter unit is terminated. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising further removing the first glucose sensor from the skin after the second glucose sensor reaches a point of stable operation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second glucose sensor is calibrated without a fingerstick measurement. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with the first transmitter unit and the second transmitter unit substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the code is determined during a manufacturing process of the second glucose sensor. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the code is further associated with sensor calibration of the second glucose sensor.