Non-invasive measurement of blood glucose using retinal imaging
First Claim
1. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
- (a) non-invasively measuring a rate of consumption of glucose by a part of the body, and (b) determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of consumption.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus carries out measurements of blood glucose in a repeatable, non-invasive manner by measurement of the rate of regeneration of retinal visual pigments, such as cone visual pigments. The rate of regeneration of visual pigments is dependent upon the blood glucose concentration, and by measuring the visual pigment regeneration rate, blood glucose concentration can be accurately determined. This apparatus exposes the retina to light of selected wavelengths in selected distributions and subsequently analyzes the reflection (as color or darkness) from a selected portion of the exposed region of the retina, preferably from the fovea.
241 Citations
156 Claims
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1. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
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(a) non-invasively measuring a rate of consumption of glucose by a part of the body, and (b) determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of consumption.
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2. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
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(a) non-invasively measuring a rate of consumption of glucose by a biochemical process of the body, and (b) determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of consumption.
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3. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
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(a) non-invasively measuring a rate of production of a substance, the production of which depends on the concentration of glucose, and (b) determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of production.
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4. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration of an individual comprising:
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(a) measuring a rate of visual pigment regeneration in a retina, and (b) determining blood glucose concentration from the measured visual pigment regeneration rate. - View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95)
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5. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration of an individual comprising:
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(a) projecting an initial illumination of light into an eye of the individual, the light having wavelengths that are absorbed by visual pigment, with the intensity of the light selected to bleach visual pigment in the retina;
(b) illuminating the retina and detecting the light reflected from the retina of the eye at selected times subsequent to the initial illumination of the retina;
(c) analyzing the reflected light at the selected times to determine changes in the reflected light indicative of the rate of regeneration of the visual pigment after bleaching, and (d) determining the blood glucose concentration using the measured visual pigment regeneration rate. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 27, 28)
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14. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
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(a) projecting a first illumination of light into an eye of the individual, the light having wavelengths that are absorbed by visual pigment with the intensity of the light selected to bleach visual pigment in the retina;
(b) illuminating the retina and detecting a second light reflected from the retina of the eye at selected times subsequent to the initial illumination of the retina;
(c) analyzing the reflected second light at the selected times subsequent to the first illumination of light to determine changes in the reflected light indicative of the regeneration of the visual pigment after bleaching, wherein the first light and second light are of different wavelengths; and
(d) determining the blood glucose concentration using the measured visual pigment regeneration rate.
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15. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
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(a) projecting an initial illumination of light into an eye of the individual, the light having wavelengths that are absorbed by visual pigment with the intensity of the light selected to bleach visual pigment in the retina;
(b) illuminating the retina and detecting the light reflected from the retina of the eye at selected times subsequent to the initial illumination of the retina, and forming an image of at least a selected area of the retina; and
(c) analyzing the images of the reflected light at the selected times to determine changes in the reflected light indicative of the rate of regeneration of the visual pigment after bleaching; and
(d) determining the blood glucose concentration using the measured visual pigment regeneration rate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for use in the determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual comprising:
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(a) projecting initial illumination of light into an eye of the individual, the light having wavelengths that are absorbed by visual pigment;
(b) illuminating the retina and detecting the light reflected from the retina of the eye at selected times subsequent to the initial illumination of the retina;
(c) analyzing the reflected light at the selected times to determine changes in the reflected light indicative of the regeneration of the visual pigment, and (d) determining the blood glucose concentration using the measured visual pigment regeneration rate.
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38. A method for determination of blood glucose concentration in an individual, the method comprising:
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projecting light into an eye of the individual, the light having wavelengths that are absorbed by visual pigment;
detecting the light reflected from the retina of the eye at selected times;
measuring light reflected from the eye over time; and
determining blood glucose concentration based on the measured light.
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39. A method for the diagnosis of diseases of the eye comprising:
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(a) measuring a rate of regeneration of visual pigments for a patient suspected of a disease of the eye, (b) comparing the measured rate to normal patients with no known diseases of the eye, and (c) making a diagnosis of disease based on differences between the measured rate and the rate for normal patients.
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40. A method for the diagnosis of diseases of the eye comprising:
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(a) measuring a rate of regeneration of visual pigments for a patient suspected of a disease of the eye, (b) comparing the measured rate to normal patients with known diseases of the eye, and (c) making a diagnosis of disease based on differences between the measured rate and the rate for normal patients.
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41. A method of screening for diseases of the eye comprising:
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(a) measuring a rate of regeneration of visual pigments for a patient, (b) comparing the measured rate to patients with known diseases of the eye and patients with no known diseases of the eye, and (c) screening for disease based on the comparison.
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42. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) light projector that projects an initial illumination light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye with an intensity sufficient to bleach the visual pigment in the retina;
(b) light projector that projects subsequent illuminations of light into the eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye with an intensity less than that required to bleach the visual pigment in the retina;
(c) light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by a light projector; and
(d) a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine the rate of regeneration of the visual pigment after bleaching, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration using the determined rate of regeneration of the visual pigment. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) light projector that projects time-varying light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye (b) light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and (c) a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the bleaching or regeneration of visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the bleaching or regeneration of visual pigment. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A device for noninvasive optical measurement of glucose, utilizing a measurement of the regeneration of visual pigments, the device comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit weighing less than 10 ounces.
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86. A device for noninvasive optical measurement of glucose, utilizing a measurement of the regeneration of visual pigments, the device comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit occupying a volume of less than twenty cubic inches.
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87. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment reflected from the eye over time.
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88. An apparatus for noninvasive measurement of glucose utilizing visual pigment regeneration, the apparatus comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit having the form of a pair of glasses or goggles.
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89. An apparatus for noninvasive measurement of glucose utilizing visual pigment regeneration, the apparatus comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit having the form of a hand-held monocular device.
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90. An apparatus for noninvasive measurement of glucose utilizing visual pigment regeneration, the apparatus comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit having the form of a hand-held binocular device.
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91. An apparatus for noninvasive measurement of glucose utilizing visual pigment regeneration, the apparatus comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit having the form of a head-mounted device.
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96. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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means for non-invasively measuring a rate of consumption of glucose by a part of the body, and means for determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of consumption.
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97. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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means for non-invasively measuring a rate of consumption of glucose by a biochemical process of the body, and means for determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of consumption.
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98. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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means for non-invasively measuring a rate of production of a substance, the production of which depends on the concentration of glucose, and means for determining the blood glucose concentration from the measured rate of production.
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99. A method for determining blood glucose concentration in an individual, the method comprising:
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(a) projecting an initial illumination light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye with an intensity sufficient to bleach the visual pigment in the retina;
(b) projecting subsequent illuminations of light into the eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye with an intensity less than that required to bleach the visual pigment in the retina;
(c) detecting light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by a light projector; and
(d) analyzing the detected light to determine the rate of regeneration of the visual pigment after bleaching, and calculating the blood glucose concentration using the determined rate of regeneration of the visual pigment. - View Dependent Claims (100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112)
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113. A method for determining blood glucose concentration in an individual, the method comprising:
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(a) projecting time-varying light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye (b) detecting light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and (c) analyzing the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the bleaching or regeneration of visual pigment, and calculating the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the bleaching or regeneration of visual pigment. - View Dependent Claims (114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134)
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135. A device for noninvasive optical measurement of glucose, utilizing a measurement of the regeneration of visual pigments, the device comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit weighing less than 16 ounces.
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136. A device for noninvasive optical measurement of glucose, utilizing a measurement of the regeneration of visual pigments, the device comprising:
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light projector that projects light into an eye of an individual, the projected light having a wavelength that is absorbed by visual pigment in the retina of the eye;
light detector that detects light reflected from the retina of the eye from illumination of the retina by the light projector, and a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the detected light to determine characteristics of the detected light indicative of the visual pigment, and to calculate the blood glucose concentration from the determined characteristics of the visual pigment, wherein the light projector, the light detector, and the processor are contained within an integrated unit, the integrated unit occupying a volume of less than forty cubic inches.
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137. An apparatus that determines blood glucose concentration in an individual, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) light projector that projects an initial illumination of light into an eye of the individual, the light having wavelengths that are absorbed by visual pigment with the intensity of the light selected to bleach visual pigment in the retina;
(b) light detector that detects the light reflected from the retina of the eye at selected times subsequent to the initial illumination of the retina, and forming an image of at least a selected area of the retina; and
(c) a processor with programmed instructions to analyze the images of the reflected light at the selected times to determine changes in the reflected light indicative of the rate of regeneration of the visual pigment after bleaching and to analyze the detected light to determine the blood glucose concentration using the measured visual pigment regeneration rate. - View Dependent Claims (138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156)
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Specification