Health state measuring plug-in module for a computer interface and method of use
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a module for a computer interface including a transducer wherein the transducer receives a measurement value and makes this measurement value available for monitoring an individual's health by means of the computer interface, for example, for monitoring an individual's blood glucose level, wherein the measurement value is obtained by means of a sensor.
1. A plug-in module for a computer and for monitoring a state of health of a person via a sensor having a contact region and a sample region upon which a sample from the person is applied, the plug-in module comprising:
a standard-plug in board or card that detachably connects physically and directly to an interface of a computer, comprising:
a wireless interface configured to send a measurement signal from the sensor;
a transducer; and
an evaluation means, wherein the evaluation means comprises:
a converter operably connected to the transducer,
wherein the transducer is configured to receive the measurement signal outputted from the sensor wirelessly via the wireless interface upon insertion of the sensor into the transducer and convey the measurement signal outputted from the sensor to the converter of the evaluation means,
wherein insertion of the sensor into the transducer establishes a direct contact between the transducer and the contact region of the sensor, and
wherein the evaluation means is configured to convert the received measurement signal from the transducer into a signal that can be processed by a processor.
2. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is a processor of the computer.
3. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , further comprising a processor, wherein the processor is a processor of the standard plug-in board and wherein the processor processes the signal into a measurement value.
4. The plug-in module according to claim 3 , further comprising memory which stores the measurement value.
5. The plug-in module according to claim 4 , wherein the plug-in module is configured such that when physically and directly connected to the interface of the computer the measurement value stored in memory can be indicated on a display of the computer.
6. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , further comprising memory which stores the measurement signal.
7. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the state of health is a glucose concentration or blood-sugar content in a body fluid of the person.
8. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the plug-in module comprises application software required for monitoring the state of health of the person.
9. The plug-in module according to claim 8 , wherein the application software is compatible with programs provided on the computer.
10. The plug-in module according to claim 9 , wherein the programs comprise graphic, text and spread sheet.
11. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the interface of the computer is a standard slot of a computer.
12. The plug-in module according to claim 11 , wherein the standard slot of the computer is an external port of the computer used to connect peripheral devices.
13. The plug-in module according to claim 11 , wherein the standard slot of the computer is a slot available in a housing of the computer.
14. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the plug-in module comprises corresponding installation software.
15. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is in the form of a strip and the sample is a body fluid sample of the person.
16. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , further comprising a communications terminal which comprises a wireless communication interface and a visual display.
17. The plug-in module according to claim 16 , further comprising at least one of keys, a touch screen and an integrated microphone.
18. The plug-in module according to claim 16 , wherein wireless communications occur between an administration device and the communications terminal via the wireless communication interface.
19. The plug-in module according to claim 18 , wherein the wireless communications is selected from radio, ultrasonic and infrared communications.
20. The plug-in module according to claim 18 , wherein the visual display of the communications terminal displays at least one operating parameter of the administration device.
21. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the standard plug-in board or card is a PCMCIA board or card.
22. The plug-in module according to claim 1 , wherein the computer is at least one of a personal computer, a notebook, and a pocket-size computer.
23. A system for monitoring a state of health of a person, the system comprising:
a sensor having a contact region and a sample region upon which a sample from the person is applied;
a plug-in module for a computer and for monitoring a state of health of a person via the sensor, the plug-in module comprising:
a standard-plug in board or card that detachably connects physically and directly to an interface of a computer, comprising:
a wireless interface configured to send a measurement signal from the sensor;
a transducer; and
an evaluation means, wherein the evaluation means comprises:
a converter operably connected to the transducer,
wherein the transducer is configured to receive the measurement signal outputted from the sensor wirelessly via the wireless interface upon insertion of the sensor into the transducer and convey the measurement signal outputted from the sensor to the converter of the evaluation means,
wherein insertion of the sensor into the transducer establishes a direct contact between the transducer and the contact region of the sensor, and
wherein the evaluation means is configured to convert the received measurement signal from the transducer into a signal that can be processed by a processor.
24. The system according to claim 23 , wherein the sensor is of the type which is provided on or in the person to detect a state of health of the person.
25. A method of monitoring a state of health of a person comprising:
providing a sensor having a contact region and a sample region upon which a sample from the person is applied;
detachably connecting physically and directly a plug-in module comprising a standard-plug in board or card to an interface of a computer and which comprises a wireless interface configured to send a measurement signal from the sensor, a transducer configured to receive the measurement signal from the sensor, and an evaluation means comprising a converter which is connected to the transducer;
inserting the sensor into the transducer such that the transducer directly contacts the contact region of the sensor;
receiving the measurement signal outputted from the sensor wirelessly via the wireless interface to the transducer; and
converting the received measurement signal from the sensor into a signal that can be processed by a processor.