Optical blood analyte monitor

• US 20070027374A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: FOSS Analytical A/S
• Original Assignee: FOSS Analytical A/S
• Inventors: Wihlborg, Nils
• Application Number:
  US11/543,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20070027374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0627 Use of several LED's for spectral resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/129 Using chemometrical methods

Abstract

An optical blood analyte monitor (2) comprises a near infra-red light source and a complementary detection (6) means; a component analyser (12) having access to a chemometric model linking optical spectral features to a level of blood analyte of interest and configured to apply the model to signals received from the detection (6) means and a tilting filter arrangement (8) having a plurality of optical interference filters (20a . . . e;56a . . . d), each filter being tiltable to vary a wavelength of incident light from the source transmitted there through. The light source comprises a plurality of light emitters (4a . . . e) each being arranged to emit light along a different associated light-path (16a . . . e) in which is located an associated different one of the plurality of the interference filters (20a . . . e) and towards a same analysing region (18) at which a tissue volume (finger for example) containing a blood sample to be analysed is located in use.

Claims

1. An optical blood analyte monitor comprising a near infra-red light source and complementary detection means;

a component analyser having access to a chemometric model linking spectral features to a level of blood analyte of interest and configured to apply the model to signals received from the detection means;

wherein the monitor further comprises a tilting filter arrangement having a plurality of optical interference filters, each filter being tiltable to vary a wavelength of incident light from the source transmitted there through and in that the light source comprises a plurality of light emitters selected to emit light in at least a wavelength region characteristically absorbed by blood components indicative of the analyte of interest and each being arranged to emit light along a different associated light-path in which is located an associated different one of the plurality of the interference filters and towards a same analysing region.

2. A monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filters of the plurality are reciprocatively tiltable.

3. A monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tilting filter arrangement is provided with a carrier and follower drive to effect a simultaneous tilting of all filters of the plurality.

4. A monitor as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tilting filter arrangement comprises a rotatable axle having a rotational axis and in that the arrangement further comprises a carrier located on the axle and a co-operable follower mechanically connected to an associated filter to effect the tilting thereof as the carrier interacts with the follower on rotation of the axle.

5. A monitor as claimed in claim 4 wherein the filters are located angularly spaced apart about said axle in a common plane.

6. A monitor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rotatable axle comprises a body portion extending along the rotational axis and in that the plurality of light emitters are relatively orientated to provide associated light-paths which intersect at the analysing region beyond the body portion.

7. A monitor as claimed in claim 6 wherein the analyser further comprises a light pipe for communicating illumination towards an optical sensor after its interaction with the volume to be analysed.

8. A monitor as claimed in claim 7 wherein the body portion is formed as hollow body having internal surfaces delimiting the light pipe.

9. A monitor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of light emitters are selected to emit in wavelength regions preferentially absorbed by glucose containing material and in that component analyser is provided with access to a chemometric model linking the spectral features to blood glucose levels.