Analyte sensor user interface apparatus and methods

Apparatus for use with an implanted blood analyte sensing device, comprising:

• wireless receiver apparatus configured to receive wireless signals from the blood analyte sensing device, the wireless signals encoding data relating to levels of said blood analyte;
• data processing apparatus in data communication with the wireless receiver apparatus and configured to utilize said encoded data to determine a blood analyte level;
• an electrical power source configured to supply electrical power;
• indicator apparatus in communication with the data processing apparatus and electrical power source, the indicator apparatus configured to indicate to a user the determined blood analyte level;
• and
• at least one computer program operative to run on the data processing apparatus and configured to selectively determine at least one of an upper buffer zone and lower buffer zone, the at least one buffer zone comprising a range of blood analyte level values within which a first alert regime is applied, and outside of which at least a second alert regime is applied, the second alert regime configured to be more intrusive to the user than the first regime.

A method of monitoring a blood analyte level of a living being using a blood analyte sensing apparatus comprising an implanted sensor apparatus and a receiver apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving at the receiver apparatus blood analyte data from the implanted sensor apparatus;
• evaluating the received blood analyte data, the evaluating comprising calculating at least one parameter;
• based at least on the at least one parameter, configuring at least one user interface alert function, the configuring the at least one alert function comprising establishing a first buffer range of blood analyte levels above a normal range, and a second buffer range of blood analyte levels below the normal range;
• causing only a first type of alert to be provided to the user when the blood analyte level indicated by the at least one parameter falls within the first or second buffer ranges;
• and
• causing only a second type of alert to be provided to the user when the blood analyte level indicated by the at least one parameter falls outside of the first and second buffer ranges and the normal range;
• wherein the causing only a first type of alert to be provided to the user when the blood analyte level indicated by the at least one parameter falls within the first or second buffer ranges, and only a second type of alert to be provided to the user when the blood analyte level indicated by the at least one parameter falls outside of the first and second buffer ranges and the normal range, reduces the frequency of the second type of alerts provided to the user via the at least one user interface over that provided without use of the first and second buffer ranges.

The method of claim 22, wherein;

• the blood analyte comprises blood glucose;
• the first alert type comprises a soft alert comprising no intentional audible sounds, and the second alert type comprises a hard alert comprising at least an audible sound;
• and
• the first buffer range is greater in magnitude than the second buffer range so as to provide more conservative alerts of a low blood glucose level than a high blood glucose level.

A method of monitoring a blood analyte level of a living being using a blood analyte sensing apparatus comprising an implanted sensor apparatus having at least prescribed stability of blood analyte level measurement over a prescribed period of time, and a receiver apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving at the receiver apparatus blood analyte data from the implanted sensor apparatus, the blood analyte data associated with at least one first time reference;
• determining a time reference associated with a last calibration of the blood analyte sensing apparatus;
• determining a difference between the at least one first time reference and the time reference associated with the last calibration;
• evaluating the received blood analyte data, the evaluating comprising calculating at least (i) a blood analyte level, and (ii) a rate-of-change (ROC) of the blood analyte level;
• and
• configuring at least one user interface alert function, the configuring the at least one alert function comprising establishing a first buffer range of blood analyte levels above a normal range, and a second buffer range of blood analyte levels below the normal range, a magnitude of at least one of the first range and second range being selected based at least on the (i) the difference, (ii) the calculated blood analyte level, and (iii) the calculated ROC.