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 a blood analyte value of the user, the device comprising:
 an alert interface;   communication circuitry for receiving a signal from a transmitter of a continuous glucose monitoring device;   a memory comprising executable instructions; and   a processor in data communication with the memory and configured to execute the executable instructions to:
 detect an activity of the user; 
 modify a first predetermined range and a second predetermined range based on the detected activity; and 
 provide, through the alert interface, a first alert when a current blood analyte value of the user is outside the modified first predetermined range, and a second alert when a current rate of change of the blood analyte value is outside the modified second predetermined range. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a band configured to be worn about a wrist of the user, wherein the communication circuitry, the memory, the processor, 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 comprising at least one of rubber, silicone, latex, nylon, polyester, leather, steel, plastic, and ceramic. 
     
     
         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 circuitry is configured to relay the signal received from the transmitter to another electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the memory is configured to store data received from the transmitter and the communication circuitry is configured to relay the data to the other electronic device at regular intervals. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor 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 memory is configured to store data received from the transmitter and the communication circuitry is configured to relay the data to the other electronic device upon user request. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the alert interface is configured to receive a user request to relay the data and the processor is configured to initiate the user request to relay the data. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the communication circuitry 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, an analyte concentration, a change in state or zone or range of an analyte concentration, or analyte 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 blood analyte value of the user remains within a desired range for a set period of time, and providing negative feedback when the blood analyte value of the user is outside the desired range. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be in physical contact with skin of the user at all times when worn by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the executable instructions to modify a form of at least one of the first alert and the second alert based on the detected activity. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the modified form of at least one of the first alert and the second alert comprises a visual alert, an audible tone, or a vibration. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the activity of the user further comprises detecting an activity level of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the executable instructions to modify an intensity of at least one of the first alert and the second alert based on the detected activity. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein modifying the intensity of at least one of the first alert and the second alert comprises increasing the intensity of at least one of the first alert and the second alert until the user responds to the first alert or the second alert. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the detected activity of the user comprises exercise or sleep. 
     
     
         21 . A method of providing alerts to a user regarding a blood analyte value of the user, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal providing information about a current blood analyte value of the user; detecting an activity of the user;   modifying a first predetermined range and a second predetermined range based on the detected activity of the user; and   providing a first alert when a current analyte concentration of the user is outside the modified first predetermined range, and a second alert when a current rate of change of the analyte of the user is outside the modified second predetermined range.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising relaying the signal to an electronic device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising storing data received from the signal and relaying the data to the electronic device at regular intervals. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising processing or partially processing the data prior to relaying it to the electronic device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising storing data received from the signal and relaying the data to the electronic device when the user requests. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , the signal is received using a first wireless communication protocol and relayed using a second, different, wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 modifying a form of at least one of the first alert and the second alert based on the detected activity.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the modified form of at least one of the first alert and the second alert comprises a visual alert, an audible tone, or a vibration. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein detecting the activity of the user further comprises detecting an activity level of the user. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 modifying an intensity of at least one of the first alert and the second alert based on the detected activity.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein modifying the intensity of at least one of the first alert and the second alert comprises increasing the intensity of at least one of the first alert and the second alert until the user responds to the first alert or the second alert. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the detected activity of the user comprises exercise or sleep.