COLLAPSIBLE NONINVASIVE ANALYZER METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20090036759A1
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GLT Acquisition Corporation
• Original Assignee: GLT Acquisition Corporation
• Inventors: Ault, Timothy E., Monfre, Stephen L., Hazen, Kevin H.
• Application Number:
  US12/179,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20090036759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/247 Hygienic covers, i.e. for covering the sensor or apparatus during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/702 Posture restraints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a noninvasive spectroscopic based analyzer. More particularly, a collapsible spectrometer and or deployable subject interface for an analyzer, such as a noninvasive glucose concentration analyzer, is described.

Claims

1. An apparatus interfacing to a human subject, comprising:

a portable spectroscopic analyzer, said analyzer comprising;

means for deploying a tactile subject interface integrated into said analyzer, wherein said subject interface transforms from a non-operational configuration to an operational configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying said subject interface comprises an automated actuator controlled deployment of said subject interface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying said subject interface comprises any of:

a hinged mechanism used in deployment of said subject interface;

a rail mechanism used in deployment of said subject interface; and

a pneumatic system used in deployment of said subject interface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying said subject interface comprises any of:

unfolding said subject interface into said operational configuration from said non-operational configuration; and

extending said subject interface into said operational configuration from said non-operational configuration.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said non-operational configuration comprises any of:

a storage configuration; and

a transport configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying deploys any of:

a hand support;

a wrist support; and

an optical sample probe.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display screen, wherein said display screen becomes viewable to the human subject in said operational configuration and is not viewable to the human subject in said non-operational configuration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said portable spectroscopic analyzer in said operational configuration exposes an optical sample probe interface upon deployment of said subject interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle integrated into said portable spectroscopic analyzer.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying combines unfolding at least a portion of said subject interface in combination with sliding said subject interface in transformation from said non-operational configuration to said operational configuration.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying unfolds at least a first portion of said subject interface using a first hinge and unfolds a second portion of said first portion of said subject interface using a second hinge.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for deploying utilizes a slide out tray in transformation of said spectroscopic analyzer from said non-operational configuration to said operational configuration.