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Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Based on Smart Phone
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Procedia Engineering
ProcediaProcedia Engineering 00 (2011) Engineering 29 000–000 (2012) 3894 – 3898 www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
2012 International Workshop on Information and Electronics Engineering (IWIEE)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Based on Smart Phone Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao*, X.H.He, Q.X.Wang Information Technology College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medical, Guangzhou, 510006,China
Abstract This paper presents a continuous glucose monitoring system based on 3G smart phone technologies. By employing Bluetooth technology and 3G mobile phone network, this system automatically detects and sends diabetic patients’ real-time glucose data to the monitoring center. In addition, when the blood glucose level reaches preset thresholds, the system will trigger an alarm and send text messages with the patient’s geographic location to designated phone numbers for emergency help.
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Harbin University of Science and Technology Keywords:glucose monitoring, Bluetooth, mobile phone, 3G wireless networks;
1. Introduction Diabetes is chronic disease which is seriously harmful to one’s health. Diabetes patients are at high risk for a number of complications. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as of 2009, the number of people with diabetes in China had reached 43.2 millions [1]. Treating and preventing diabetes have become impending challenges for health care professionals. Medical research indicates that intensive blood-glucose control can decrease the risk of the aforementioned complications [2]. In fact, it is difficult to get good control of glucose level for diabetes patients. Zhong Yuan, et al. [3] reported that there are only 25.9% of diabetes patients with desired control of their blood glucose level in China. The research suggests that the incidence of diabetic complications not only relates to high glucose level, also to the fluctuation of glucose: the greater the fluctuation, the higher incidence and the worse prognosis. Therefore, it is important to accurately monitor the trends of glucose metabolism in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
* Corresponding author. D.Cao, Tel.: +086-013246852860; E-mail address: [email protected].
1877-7058 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.01.590
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Y.Y. CaiX.H.He, et al. / Procedia 29 (2012) 3894 – 3898000–000 Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao, Q.X.Wan/Engineering Procedia Engineering 00 (2011)
In practice, most diabetic patients are outpatients, and it is difficult for them to continuously monitor their real-time glucose levels after leaving the hospital. Some of them may purchase glucose monitors in order to facilitate this task. However, the time points of data collection are randomly chosen. Therefore, we propose a real-time glucose monitoring system which also employs smart phone and 3G mobile networks. With this system, the glucose data will be displayed on a cell phone screen and sent to the monitor center via 3G mobile networks. When the glucose level reaches a predefined threshold, the cell phone will send emergency text messages to designated receivers and/or make emergency calls. 2. System Overview The system consists of a Bluetooth enabled glucose sensor, a cell phone application, and a monitor center as seen in Figure 1 below.
Fig.1. System structure
2.1. Workflow Principle of the System (1) The Bluetooth enabled glucose sensor detects the real-time glucose level and sends out the data via Bluetooth module. (2) A cell phone that is running the glucose application receives the glucose data, displays it on the cell phone screen, saves it to the phone and sends it to the monitor center along with the patient identifier and time stamp via 3G mobile networks. (3) Monitor center receives the data and saves it to a database. Monitor center may sends commands to mobile devices to gather glucose data or make remote configuration. 3. System Design The Continuous Glucose Monitoring System consists of glucose sensor, Bluetooth chipset, smart phone and a computer system (including a database system). The schematic of system architecture is shown by figure 2. 3.1. Glucose Sensor The Glucose sensor is one of the key parts to the system. Ideally, the glucose sensors should be the noninvasive ones because they are more convenience for dinettes patients to use. This type of glucose sensors become the hotspot in the field of glucose measurement. However, based on the research of Li Gang, et al, none of noninvasive glucose sensors provide enough precision to clinical application [5]. We
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therefore need to choose invasive sensors for our system. Normally, a glucose meter consists of a sensor and a display screen. Currently, there are two types of glucose meters: non-implantable and implantable. With the non-implantable one, the user needs to take a small drop of blood, obtained by pricking the skin
Fig.2. Schematic of system architecture
with a lancet, and then place the blood sample on a disposable test strip that the meter reads and uses to calculate the blood glucose level. Obviously, this type of glucose meters cannot be used in a real-time glucose monitoring system. The other is implantable sensors, where a sensor is implanted underneath the skin and connected to a transmitter, which sends the data to a monitor via RF or wired. It continuously checks glucose level in real-time. Since there are currently no Bluetooth enabled sensors on the market, we need to create our own by modifying existing models. After comparing similar products, we chose the glucose sensor and transmitter made by Abbott for modification. 3.2. Bluetooth Chipset The data transfer is by Bluetooth technology. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization. The data transfer rate is 2-3 Mpbs and work frequency is 2.4GHz. Many semiconductor manufacturers produce Bluetooth chipsets. The chipset we chosen is CC2540 by Texas Instruments (TI).
Fig.3. Block Diagram of Bluetooth Transmitter
Fig.4. Glucose sensor and transmitter attached on human arm
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Y.Y. CaiX.H.He, et al. / Procedia 29 (2012) 3894 – 3898000–000 Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao, Q.X.Wan/Engineering Procedia Engineering 00 (2011)
Figure 3 is the block diagram of the modified Bluetooth glucose transmitter. We added required components to connect the Bluetooth unit with the data acquisition unit. Figure 4 shows the glucose sensor and transmitter attached on a man’s arm. 3.3. Mobile Phone Application The main functionality of the real-time glucose monitoring system is to continuously detect and transfer glucose data. The 3G mobile network meets the requirement for this system because it is widely used in the world. The mobile application for the system was developed on the Android platform, and we propose to extent to other mobile platforms, such as Blackberry, iOS, Symbian, and Windows phone 7. The mobile application runs in the background and does not affect the normal use of the phone, but it can also be brought to the front as needed. Figure 5 shows one of the screenshots of the mobile application. The mobile application consists of the following modules:
Fig.5. Screenshot of the mobile application
(1) Bluetooth Communication module Initializes the Bluetooth interface, detects Bluetooth devices in the range, creates connection between cell phone and Bluetooth device, and receives/sends data via Bluetooth connection. (2) Data display and Storage module Displays glucose data on the cell phone screen, saves the data to a local data file in the phone. (3) Data Communication module The glucose data is transferred to the monitor center via 3G mobile networks. Data sent to monitor center includes the patient identifier, phone number, and other required information. This module also receives commands sent by the monitor center for remote configuration. (4) Text Message module For users who do not have a data plan, the mobile application uses this module to send glucose data to monitor center via text messages. (5) Configuration module This module configures the application settings, including sampling period, monitor center IP address, glucose alarm thresholds, emergency numbers and others. (6) Alarm module When the glucose level reaches a predefined threshold, this module sends emergency text messages and makes emergency calls.
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3.4. Monitor Centre System The monitor centre receives all patients’ glucose data and saves them to a database for diagnosis and treatment purposes. It is a part of the electronic health record system. (1) Data Gathering This module receives glucose data sent by 3G mobile networks and saves to a database. (2) Data Display This module displays a selected patient’s glucose data in grid or charts formats. (3) Remote Configuration Enables remotely configure the mobile application via mobile networks and sends commands to cell phones to gather glucose data. (4) Text Message This module receives glucose data via text messages. 4. Conclusion Smart phone and 3G mobile network technologies provide a new approach for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The system demonstrated in this paper employs cell phone, Bluetooth, and 3G mobile technologies to continuously monitor blood glucose data for diabetes patients and transfers the real-time glucose data to the monitor centre for better treatments. It can also send emergency messages with the patient’s geographic location or make emergency calls when the glucose level reaches a threshold. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China (30901898), Guangdong Province Chinese Medicine research project (2009246), Youth innovation talent project of university in Guangdong province, Guangdong Province Medical Research Foundation (B2009094), and Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (2011B031700051). References [1] IDF report, Latest diabetes figures paint grim global picture. http://www.idf.org/latest-diabetes-figures-paint-grim-globalpicture, 2009. [2] UKPDS group. Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. the Lancet, 1998,Vol. 352 p. 837-853, [3] Zhong Yuan, et al. Application of Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in Improving Glucose Control in type 2 diabetes. Chinese General Practices, 2010,Vol. 13, p. 465-468, [4] Sun Shou-Jun, et al. A Wireless Mobile Monitoring System Based on Bluetooth Technology. Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation. 2006,Vol. 3. p. 349-351 [5] LI Gang, Zhou Mei, et al. The Research Status and Development of Noninvasive Glucose Optical Measurements. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis. 2010,Vol. 30, p. 2744-2747.
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Procedia Engineering
ProcediaProcedia Engineering 00 (2011) Engineering 29 000–000 (2012) 3894 – 3898 www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
2012 International Workshop on Information and Electronics Engineering (IWIEE)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Based on Smart Phone Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao*, X.H.He, Q.X.Wang Information Technology College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medical, Guangzhou, 510006,China
Abstract This paper presents a continuous glucose monitoring system based on 3G smart phone technologies. By employing Bluetooth technology and 3G mobile phone network, this system automatically detects and sends diabetic patients’ real-time glucose data to the monitoring center. In addition, when the blood glucose level reaches preset thresholds, the system will trigger an alarm and send text messages with the patient’s geographic location to designated phone numbers for emergency help.
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Harbin University of Science and Technology Keywords:glucose monitoring, Bluetooth, mobile phone, 3G wireless networks;
1. Introduction Diabetes is chronic disease which is seriously harmful to one’s health. Diabetes patients are at high risk for a number of complications. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as of 2009, the number of people with diabetes in China had reached 43.2 millions [1]. Treating and preventing diabetes have become impending challenges for health care professionals. Medical research indicates that intensive blood-glucose control can decrease the risk of the aforementioned complications [2]. In fact, it is difficult to get good control of glucose level for diabetes patients. Zhong Yuan, et al. [3] reported that there are only 25.9% of diabetes patients with desired control of their blood glucose level in China. The research suggests that the incidence of diabetic complications not only relates to high glucose level, also to the fluctuation of glucose: the greater the fluctuation, the higher incidence and the worse prognosis. Therefore, it is important to accurately monitor the trends of glucose metabolism in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
* Corresponding author. D.Cao, Tel.: +086-013246852860; E-mail address: [email protected].
1877-7058 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.01.590
2
Y.Y. CaiX.H.He, et al. / Procedia 29 (2012) 3894 – 3898000–000 Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao, Q.X.Wan/Engineering Procedia Engineering 00 (2011)
In practice, most diabetic patients are outpatients, and it is difficult for them to continuously monitor their real-time glucose levels after leaving the hospital. Some of them may purchase glucose monitors in order to facilitate this task. However, the time points of data collection are randomly chosen. Therefore, we propose a real-time glucose monitoring system which also employs smart phone and 3G mobile networks. With this system, the glucose data will be displayed on a cell phone screen and sent to the monitor center via 3G mobile networks. When the glucose level reaches a predefined threshold, the cell phone will send emergency text messages to designated receivers and/or make emergency calls. 2. System Overview The system consists of a Bluetooth enabled glucose sensor, a cell phone application, and a monitor center as seen in Figure 1 below.
Fig.1. System structure
2.1. Workflow Principle of the System (1) The Bluetooth enabled glucose sensor detects the real-time glucose level and sends out the data via Bluetooth module. (2) A cell phone that is running the glucose application receives the glucose data, displays it on the cell phone screen, saves it to the phone and sends it to the monitor center along with the patient identifier and time stamp via 3G mobile networks. (3) Monitor center receives the data and saves it to a database. Monitor center may sends commands to mobile devices to gather glucose data or make remote configuration. 3. System Design The Continuous Glucose Monitoring System consists of glucose sensor, Bluetooth chipset, smart phone and a computer system (including a database system). The schematic of system architecture is shown by figure 2. 3.1. Glucose Sensor The Glucose sensor is one of the key parts to the system. Ideally, the glucose sensors should be the noninvasive ones because they are more convenience for dinettes patients to use. This type of glucose sensors become the hotspot in the field of glucose measurement. However, based on the research of Li Gang, et al, none of noninvasive glucose sensors provide enough precision to clinical application [5]. We
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Cai et Q.X.Wan/ al. / Procedia Engineering 29 (2012) 3894 000–000 – 3898 Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao,Y.Y. X.H.He, Procedia Engineering 00 (2011)
therefore need to choose invasive sensors for our system. Normally, a glucose meter consists of a sensor and a display screen. Currently, there are two types of glucose meters: non-implantable and implantable. With the non-implantable one, the user needs to take a small drop of blood, obtained by pricking the skin
Fig.2. Schematic of system architecture
with a lancet, and then place the blood sample on a disposable test strip that the meter reads and uses to calculate the blood glucose level. Obviously, this type of glucose meters cannot be used in a real-time glucose monitoring system. The other is implantable sensors, where a sensor is implanted underneath the skin and connected to a transmitter, which sends the data to a monitor via RF or wired. It continuously checks glucose level in real-time. Since there are currently no Bluetooth enabled sensors on the market, we need to create our own by modifying existing models. After comparing similar products, we chose the glucose sensor and transmitter made by Abbott for modification. 3.2. Bluetooth Chipset The data transfer is by Bluetooth technology. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization. The data transfer rate is 2-3 Mpbs and work frequency is 2.4GHz. Many semiconductor manufacturers produce Bluetooth chipsets. The chipset we chosen is CC2540 by Texas Instruments (TI).
Fig.3. Block Diagram of Bluetooth Transmitter
Fig.4. Glucose sensor and transmitter attached on human arm
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Y.Y. CaiX.H.He, et al. / Procedia 29 (2012) 3894 – 3898000–000 Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao, Q.X.Wan/Engineering Procedia Engineering 00 (2011)
Figure 3 is the block diagram of the modified Bluetooth glucose transmitter. We added required components to connect the Bluetooth unit with the data acquisition unit. Figure 4 shows the glucose sensor and transmitter attached on a man’s arm. 3.3. Mobile Phone Application The main functionality of the real-time glucose monitoring system is to continuously detect and transfer glucose data. The 3G mobile network meets the requirement for this system because it is widely used in the world. The mobile application for the system was developed on the Android platform, and we propose to extent to other mobile platforms, such as Blackberry, iOS, Symbian, and Windows phone 7. The mobile application runs in the background and does not affect the normal use of the phone, but it can also be brought to the front as needed. Figure 5 shows one of the screenshots of the mobile application. The mobile application consists of the following modules:
Fig.5. Screenshot of the mobile application
(1) Bluetooth Communication module Initializes the Bluetooth interface, detects Bluetooth devices in the range, creates connection between cell phone and Bluetooth device, and receives/sends data via Bluetooth connection. (2) Data display and Storage module Displays glucose data on the cell phone screen, saves the data to a local data file in the phone. (3) Data Communication module The glucose data is transferred to the monitor center via 3G mobile networks. Data sent to monitor center includes the patient identifier, phone number, and other required information. This module also receives commands sent by the monitor center for remote configuration. (4) Text Message module For users who do not have a data plan, the mobile application uses this module to send glucose data to monitor center via text messages. (5) Configuration module This module configures the application settings, including sampling period, monitor center IP address, glucose alarm thresholds, emergency numbers and others. (6) Alarm module When the glucose level reaches a predefined threshold, this module sends emergency text messages and makes emergency calls.
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Cai etQ.X.Wan/ al. / Procedia Engineering 29 (2012) 3894 000–000 – 3898 Y.Y.Cai, D.Cao,Y.Y. X.H.He, Procedia Engineering 00 (2011)
3.4. Monitor Centre System The monitor centre receives all patients’ glucose data and saves them to a database for diagnosis and treatment purposes. It is a part of the electronic health record system. (1) Data Gathering This module receives glucose data sent by 3G mobile networks and saves to a database. (2) Data Display This module displays a selected patient’s glucose data in grid or charts formats. (3) Remote Configuration Enables remotely configure the mobile application via mobile networks and sends commands to cell phones to gather glucose data. (4) Text Message This module receives glucose data via text messages. 4. Conclusion Smart phone and 3G mobile network technologies provide a new approach for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The system demonstrated in this paper employs cell phone, Bluetooth, and 3G mobile technologies to continuously monitor blood glucose data for diabetes patients and transfers the real-time glucose data to the monitor centre for better treatments. It can also send emergency messages with the patient’s geographic location or make emergency calls when the glucose level reaches a threshold. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China (30901898), Guangdong Province Chinese Medicine research project (2009246), Youth innovation talent project of university in Guangdong province, Guangdong Province Medical Research Foundation (B2009094), and Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province (2011B031700051). References [1] IDF report, Latest diabetes figures paint grim global picture. http://www.idf.org/latest-diabetes-figures-paint-grim-globalpicture, 2009. [2] UKPDS group. Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. the Lancet, 1998,Vol. 352 p. 837-853, [3] Zhong Yuan, et al. Application of Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in Improving Glucose Control in type 2 diabetes. Chinese General Practices, 2010,Vol. 13, p. 465-468, [4] Sun Shou-Jun, et al. A Wireless Mobile Monitoring System Based on Bluetooth Technology. Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation. 2006,Vol. 3. p. 349-351 [5] LI Gang, Zhou Mei, et al. The Research Status and Development of Noninvasive Glucose Optical Measurements. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis. 2010,Vol. 30, p. 2744-2747.
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