BODY ATTACHABLE APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS BLOOD GLUCOSE MEASUREMENT

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a body attachment device for continuous glucose monitoring and, more particularly, to a body attachment device for continuous glucose monitoring characterized in that as a user command for applying operating power of the body attachment device is inputted by an optical method or a touch method, operation of the body attachment device can be controlled by easily initiating application of battery power not only before the body attachment device is attached to the body but also after the body attachment device has been attached to the body. In addition, as the operation of the body attachment device is controlled by light or touch, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the body attachment device that occurs when a user touches, by mistake, a physical operation button formed in the body attachment device while using the body attachment device. Furthermore, the operating power can be stably provided.

Claims

1. A body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement continuously measuring a blood glucose value by being attached to a body of a user, the body attachable apparatus comprising: a housing; a sensor unit, wherein a portion of the sensor unit is inserted to a body of the user to continuously measure a blood glucose of a user; a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed inside the housing and configured to be electrically connected to the sensor unit; a battery disposed inside the housing and configured to supply operation power needed for the PCB or the sensor unit; and a connection control unit configured to control electric connection of the battery and the PCB.

2. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 1, wherein the connection control unit comprises: a control command input unit to which a connection command is inputted; a signal generating unit configured to generate a connection control signal based on the inputted connection command; and a switch unit electrically connecting between the battery and the PCB according the connection control signal.

3. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 2, wherein: the control command input unit comprises a touch panel, and the signal generating unit is configured to, when the connection command of the user is inputted through the touch panel, generate the connection control signal.

4. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 3, wherein the signal generating unit is configured to compare a pattern of the connection command inputted through the touch panel with a reference set pattern, and when the pattern of the connection command is identical to the reference set pattern, generate the connection control signal.

5. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 3, wherein the connection control unit is configured to receive the connection control signal, and further comprises a second switch unit configured to block power of the battery supplied to the touch panel and the signal generating unit based on the connection control signal.

6. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 2, wherein: the control command input unit comprises an optical receiver, and the signal generating unit is configured to, when the connection command of the user is inputted through the optical receiver, generate the connection control signal.

7. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 6, wherein the signal generating unit is configured to compare a pattern of the connection command inputted through the optical receiver with a reference set pattern, and when the pattern of the connection command is identical to the reference set pattern, generate the connection control signal.

8. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 7, wherein the signal generating unit is configured to generate the connection control signal by comparing a light frequency and pattern of the connection command inputted through the optical receiver with a light frequency and pattern of the reference set pattern.

9. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 7, wherein the connection control unit is configured to receive the connection control signal, and further comprises a second switch unit configured to block power of the battery supplied to the optical receiver and the signal generating unit based on the connection control signal.

10. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 3, wherein the signal generating unit is configured to search for a reference set pattern identical to a pattern of the inputted connection command, and generate the connection control signal corresponding to the searched reference set pattern.

11. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 10, wherein the connection control signal generated by the signal generating unit is a connection signal for electrically connecting between the battery and the PCB through the switch unit or a block signal for blocking electric connection between the battery and the PCB.

12. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 3, further comprising a blocking film blocking inputting the connection command to the control command input unit, wherein the blocking film is removably mounted to the control command input unit.

13. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 6, wherein the signal generating unit is configured to search for a reference set pattern identical to a pattern of the inputted connection command, and generate the connection control signal corresponding to the searched reference set pattern.

14. The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to claim 6, further comprising a blocking film blocking inputting the connection command to the control command input unit, wherein the blocking film is removably mounted to the control command input unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a drawing for illustrating an overall system inserting a body attachable apparatus to a human body using an applicator.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating a body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a connection control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of controlling supply of battery power at a connection control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of controlling supply of battery power at a connection control unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of controlling supply of battery power at a connection control unit according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] The technical terms used in the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments, and they are not intended to limit the present invention. Also, unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein should be construed as having the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art, and should not be interpreted as being excessively inclusive or excessively restrictive. In addition, when a technical term used herein is an erroneous technical term that does not accurately represent the idea of the present invention, it should be understood as replacing the term by a technical term which can be properly understood by those skilled in the art.

[0042] Additionally, singular expressions used in the present disclosure include plural meaning unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present disclosure; the terms “comprising”, “having”, “including” and the like should not be construed to necessarily include all component elements or steps described in the present disclosure, and it should be interpreted that some component elements or some steps among them may not be included, or other components or steps may be added thereto.

[0043] Also, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are merely illustrated to easily explain the spirit of the invention, and therefore, they should not be construed to limit the spirit of the invention by the accompanying drawings.

[0044] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described as follows.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a drawing for illustrating an overall system inserting a body attachable apparatus to a human body using an applicator.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a body attachable apparatus (100) is attached to a human body by an applicator (10), the applicator (10) is formed so that the body attachable apparatus (100) can be fixedly coupled to an inside of the applicator (10) and the applicator (10) is operated such that the body attachable apparatus (100 can be outwardly discharged by manipulation of an user.

[0047] In this embodiment, the body attachable apparatus (100) is manufactured in a state that body attachable apparatus (100) is inserted into the inside of the applicator (10), and the body attachable apparatus (100) which is disposed inside the applicator (10) is configured to be discharged according to manipulation of a shooting button (11) by a user so that the body attachable apparatus (100 can be moved in an outwardly discharging direction and be attached to a human body.

[0048] A separate protection cap (30) can be separatably coupled to the applicator (10) so that the body attachable apparatus (100) is not exposed to the outside of the applicator (10), and only after the protection cap (30) is separated, the user can attach the body attachable unit apparatus (100) to the human body by manipulating the applicator (10).

[0049] More specifically, the applicator (10) is configured that in a state that the body attachable apparatus (100) is inserted in the applicator (10) the applicator (10) fixes the body attachable apparatus (100) therein and in a state that the body attachable apparatus (100) is moved and discharged to the outside of the applicator (10 the fixation state with respect to the body attachable apparatus (100) is released. Accordingly, in a state in which the body attachable apparatus (100) is assembled to be inserted into the inside of the applicator (10) the body attachable apparatus (100) maintains a fixed state, and when the body attachable apparatus (100) is outwardly discharged and attached to the skin by manipulating the applicator (10) the fixed state in which the body attachable apparatus (100) is coupled and fixed to the applicator (10) is released and therefore when the applicator (10) is separated in this state the applicator (10) is separated from the body attachable apparatus (100) and only the body attachable apparatus (100) remains in a state that is attached to the skin.

[0050] When the body attachable apparatus (100) is attached to the skin, a sensor unit of which one end portion is inserted into the human body, a wireless communication chip configured to wirelessly communicate with an external terminal, and so on are disposed inside the body attachable apparatus (100).

[0051] The body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement extracts body fluid and periodically measures blood glucose and transmits the measured blood glucose value to the external terminal (not shown) like a smartphone through the wireless communication chip.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the body attachable apparatus (100) for continuous blood glucose measurement is configured to comprise a housing on which an adhesive tape (not shown) is disposed so that the bottom surface can be attached to the skin, a sensor unit (120) which is disposed inside the housing such that one end portion of the sensor unit (120) outwardly protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing and, when the housing is attached to the skin, one end portion of the sensor unit (120) is inserted into the human body, a PCB board (130) disposed in the inside of the housing, a battery (140) supplying operation power to the body attachable unit, and a connection control unit configured to control to apply the power of the battery (140) to the PCB board (130).

[0054] One end portion of the sensor unit (120) is formed to be inserted into the human body and the other end portion of the sensor unit (120) is formed to contact the PCB board (130) or be connected to the PCB board (130), a sensor body unit (122) is formed to contact an electric contact point of the PCB board (130) at the other end portion of the sensor unit (120), and a sensor probe unit (121) which is formed to extend in a form bent from one side of the sensor body unit (122) and outwardly protrudes from the housing so that it can be inserted into the human body is formed at one end portion of the sensor unit (120). The sensor body unit (122) is formed to have a structure having a relatively large area and the sensor probe unit (121) is formed to have a relatively narrow and long structure, but according to a field to which the present disclosure is applied a shape of the sensor body unit (122) and the sensor probe unit (121) can be varied.

[0055] The housing is formed to be separatable into an upper housing (111) and a lower housing (112) and to have an inner accommodating space, a sensor guide unit (not shown) which can support and guide a partial portion of the sensor probe unit (121) is formed at the inside of the housing, and a board supporting unit (not shown) fixing and supporting the PCB board (130) to a certain position may be formed at the inside of the housing.

[0056] An electric connection point (131) is formed at the PCB board (130) to be electrically connected with the sensor unit (120), and a wireless communication chip (135) and so on are mounted to the PCB board (130) to transmit the blood glucose measurement result measured by the sensor unit (120) to the external terminal. The embodiment of the present disclosure have the wireless communication chip (135) inside the body attachable unit (100) and therefore can easily communicate with the external terminal without a separate operation of transmitter connection.

[0057] Additionally, a battery (140) is mounted to the inside of the housing to supply the power to the PCB board (130), and in the exemplary embodiment, the battery (140) may be arranged such that the battery (140) is mounted to one surface of the PCB board (130) or the battery (140) is disposed at an independent or separate area from the PCB board (130). Areas of the PCB board (130) and the battery (140) projected to the bottom surface of the housing are independently arranged without an overlapped area, and therefore the thickness of the body attachable unit (100) can be reduced and its size can be more minimized.

[0058] In this embodiment, the housing may further separately include a connection control unit providing or blocking the power of the battery (140) to or from the PCB board (130) according to an external user manipulation.

[0059] A connection control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a signal generating unit and a switching element or a switch providing or blocking the power of the battery (140) to or from the PCB board (130) according to a connection control signal generated by the signal generating unit, and when the signal generating unit generates the connection control signal according to the manipulation of the user, the switching element electrically connects between the PCB board (130) and the battery (140) according to the generated connection control signal, and thereby the power necessary for operating the body attachable apparatus is supplied from the battery (140) to the PCB board (130) so that the sensor unit (120), the wireless communication chip (135) and other elements can initiate to operate.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating a body attachable apparatus for continuous blood glucose measurement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Referring to MG. 3, the sensor unit (120) and the PCB board (130) are electrically connected with each other, and a portion of the sensing unit (120) is inserted into the human body to periodically extract body fluid and generate blood glucose information of the user from the extracted body fluid, and the PCB board (130) calculates a blood glucose value based on the blood glucose information received from the sensor unit (120) and transmits the calculated glucose value to an external terminal periodically or in real time.

[0062] The operation of the sensor unit (120) and the PCB board (130) is performed in a state that after the body attachable apparatus is attached to the human body the body attachable apparatus initiates to operate by the supply of the power of the battery (140), when the body attachable apparatus is disposed inside the applicator and therefore is in a unused state, the supply of the power of the battery (140) to the sensor unit (120) or the PCB board (130) needs to be blocked in order to prevent consuming the limited power of the battery (140) with by the sensor unit (120) or the PCB board (130), and the power of the battery (140) needs to be supplied to the sensor unit (120) or the PCB board (130) after the body attachable apparatus is attached to the human body.

[0063] The connection control unit (150) comprises a switching element or a switch providing or blocking the power of the battery (140) to or from the PCB board (130) or the sensor unit (120) according to the inputted connection command of the user, and the connection control unit (150) generates a connection control signal for controlling the operation of the switching element according the user control command and the switching element electrically connects between the battery (140) and the PCB board (130) or blocks electric connection between the battery (140) and the PCB board (130) and provides or blocks the power of the battery (140) supplied to the PCB board (130).

[0064] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a connection control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, a control command input unit (151) is mounted to a housing outside of the body attachable apparatus and is configured to receive a connection command of the user from an external device. For example, the control command input unit (151) can be implemented with an optical receiver, a touch panel and the like, and the user can input the connection command to the optical receiver by using a light emitter or touch the touch panel to input the connection command.

[0066] A signal generating unit (153) generates a connection control signal for controlling an operation of a first switching unit (156) according to a connection command, and a switch of the first switch unit (156) is turned on or off according to the connection control signal to supply or block the battery power to or from components of the body attachable apparatus, such as the PCB board or the sensor unit, which need the power.

[0067] Preferably, the signal generating unit (153) searches for a reference set pattern corresponding to or matching a connection control pattern at a database unit (155), and if the reference set pattern corresponding to or matching the connection control pattern is found at the database unit (155), a connection control signal is generated to turn on the first switch unit (156).

[0068] More preferably, the signal generating unit (153) searches for a reference set pattern corresponding to or matching a connection control pattern, and if the reference set pattern corresponding to or matching the connection control pattern is found at the database unit (155), a connection control signal corresponding to the reference set pattern is generated. For example, when the connection control pattern corresponds to a reference set pattern for controlling the first switch to be turned on a connection signal is generated, and when the connection control pattern corresponds to a reference set pattern for controlling the first switch to be turned off a connection block signal is generated.

[0069] When the connection control signal is generated from the signal generating unit (153), a second switch unit (157) receives the connection control signal from the signal generating unit (153). Preferably, when the second switch unit (157) receives the connection control signal, the power supplied from the battery to the control command input unit (151) is blocked.

[0070] After a connection command is inputted to the control command input unit (151) as a first input and a connection control signal is generated according to the connection command to turn on the first switch unit (156), the signal generating unit (153) maintains the on status of the first switch unit (156) by generating the connection control signal. Because generally the body attachable apparatus persistently or continuously operates for a certain user period after operation initiation, there is no need to input an additional connection command and it is possible to occur the malfunction of the body attachable apparatus by the input of an incorrect or wrong connection command or mistake. Accordingly, when the second switch unit (157) receives the connection control signal, the power supplied from the battery to the control command input unit (151) is blocked to prevent the waste of the battery power and the malfunction of the body attachable apparatus caused by the incorrect or wrong connection command or mistake.

[0071] Meanwhile, a connection checking unit (158) determines whether the connection control signal is generated from the signal generating unit (153) according to the connection command of the user or determines whether the first switch unit (156) is controlled to be turned on and the battery power is being supplied to the PCB board or the sensor unit, and generates a connection check signal based on the determined result. An operation status outputting unit (159) outputs to the user whether the battery power is applied or supplied to the PCB board or the sensor unit based on the connection check signal. For example, the operation status outputting unit (159) may be implemented as a LED element, a speaker or so on and the supply status of the battery power can be outputted through the LED element or the supply status of the battery power can be outputted through the speaker.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of controlling supply of battery power at a connection control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, whether a user connection command for initiating to operate a body attachable apparatus is inputted from an outside is determined (S110).

[0074] When the connection command of a user is inputted, whether that connection command is a first inputted connection command is determined (S120). When the connection command is a first inputted connection command, a connection control signal is generated (S130), and the battery power is controlled to be supplied to the PCB board or the sensor unit by controlling the first switch unit to be turned on according to the generated connection control signal (S140).

[0075] Meanwhile, when the inputted connection command of the user is not a first inputted connection command, an additionally inputted command is ignored and a connection control signal is not generated.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of controlling supply of battery power at a connection control unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 6, whether a user connection command for initiating to operate a body attachable apparatus is inputted from an outside is determined (S150).

[0078] When the connection command of the user is inputted, a connection control signal is generated (S160). The battery power is controlled to be supplied to the PCB board or the sensor unit by controlling the first switch unit to be turned on based on the connection control signal (S170), and the supply of the battery power to the control command input unit is blocked by controlling the second switch unit to be turned off according to the connection control signal (S180).

[0079] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for illustrating a method of controlling supply of battery power at a connection control unit according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 7, whether an user connection command for initiating to operate a body attachable apparatus is inputted from an outside is determined (S210).

[0081] When the connection command of the user is inputted, by comparing a connection command pattern and a reference set pattern stored at a database unit, whether a reference set pattern corresponding to or matching the connection command pattern exists is searched (S230).

[0082] When a reference set pattern corresponding to or matching the connection command pattern exists, a connection control signal is generated (S250), and power supplied from the battery to the PCB board or the sensor unit is controlled by controlling the operation of the first switch unit according to the connection control signal (S270).

[0083] For example, when a reference set pattern corresponding to or matching the connection command pattern exists, a connection control signal is generated and the first switch unit is controlled to be turned on according to the generated connection control signal.

[0084] In another example, when a reference set pattern corresponding to or matching the connection command pattern exists, the operation of the first switch unit can be controlled by generating a connection control signal corresponding to a connection command pattern. While the body attachable apparatus is being operating, the operation of the body attachable apparatus can be temporarily halted or stopped if necessary, and a connection signal of controlling the operation of the first switch unit to be turned on according to the connection command pattern can be generated or a connection block signal of controlling the operation of the first switch unit to be turned off according to the connection command pattern can be generated.

[0085] Here, when the connection command is inputted in a form of light, a connection command pattern can be expressed with a wavelength of light or time duration of light, cycle and so on, and when light does not correspond to or match a connection command by comparing the connection command pattern with a reference set pattern, the malfunction of the first switch unit can be prevented by filtering such a connection command, or various types of connection control signals such as a connection signal or a connection block signal can be generated.

[0086] Meanwhile, when a touch is inputted as a connection command, a connection command pattern is expressed with a touch time, a touch pattern and so on, and when a touch does not correspond to or match a connection command by comparing the connection command pattern with a reference set pattern, the malfunction of the first switch unit can be prevented by filtering such a connection command, or various types of connection control signals such as a connection signal or a connection block signal can be generated.

[0087] Meanwhile, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be implemented through programs executable at computers, and can be operated in a general-purpose digital computer executing the programs using computer readable medium.

[0088] The above-referenced computer readable medium comprises storage medium such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.), and carrier waves (e.g., transmission through the Internet).

[0089] Although the present disclosure is described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings in order to explain certain principles of the present disclosure by way of example, a person having ordinary skill in the art which the present disclosure relates could make various modifications and equivalent other embodiments. Accordingly, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be defined by the claims attached hereto and all of their equivalents.