Device for generating a detectable signal based upon concentration of at least one substance

• US 20110040161A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Granted Patent: US 8,774,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/12 Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0025 characterised by electronic signal processing, e.g. eye models
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0058 for multiple images
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1241 specially adapted for observation of ocular blood flow, e.g. by fluorescein angiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/14 Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/185 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 : using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14555 : specially adapted for the eye fundus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 : using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 : for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 : Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 : the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 : Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 : Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 : Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 : Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 : implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0026 : Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 : Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 : Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 : Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 : Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 : Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 : Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

Utilization of a contact device placed on the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One of the parameters to be detected includes non-invasive blood analysis utilizing chemical changes and chemical products that are found in the conjunctiva and in the tear film. A transensor mounted in the contact device laying on the cornea or the surface of the eye is capable of evaluating and measuring physical and chemical parameters in the eye including non-invasive blood analysis. The system utilizes eye lid motion and/or closure of the eye lid to activate a microminiature radio frequency sensitive transensor mounted in the contact device. The signal can be communicated by wires or radio telemetered to an externally placed receiver. The signal can then be processed, analyzed and stored. Several parameters can be detected including a complete non-invasive analysis of blood components, measurement of systemic and ocular blood flow, measurement of heart rate and respiratory rate, tracking operations, detection of ovulation, detection of radiation and drug effects, diagnosis of ocular and systemic disorders and the like.

Claims

1. An apparatus for noninvasive measurement of a concentration of at least one substance in the eye, said apparatus comprising:

a detecting device for detecting radiation intensity of two wavelengths of light in an infrared region emitted by said eye with said detecting device detecting radiation intensity of the two wavelengths with one of said wavelengths having a high absorption correlation with the substance being measured and the other of said wavelengths having a lower absorption correlation with the substance being measured and providing an output signal, and

a processing device for processing the output signal obtained from the detecting device for determining the concentration of the at least one substance according to the absorption of infrared energy by said substance.

2. A method for noninvasive measurement of at least one substance in the eye, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting two wavelengths in the infrared region emitted by said eye with one of said wavelengths having a high absorption correlation with the substance being measured and the other of said wavelengths having a lower absorption correlation with the substance being measured, and

processing the detected wavelengths for determining a concentration of at least one substance according to the absorption of infrared energy by said substance.

3. An apparatus for noninvasive measurement of the concentration of at least one photosensitizing drug in the eye, said apparatus comprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the eye,

a detecting device for detecting an intensity of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the eye after electromagnetic radiation from the source interacts with the photosensitizing drug being measured and providing an output signal representative of the intensity of said radiation, and

a processing device for calculating the concentration of said photosensitizing drug from said detected electromagnetic radiation intensity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic radiation irradiating the eye has a shorter wavelength than the absorption wavelength of said photosensitizing agent.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic radiation irradiating the eye is centered at 690 nm.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the detecting device detects an intensity of fluorescence generated by said electromagnetic radiation.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said photosensitizing drug includes at least one of verteporfin, purlytin, and lutetium texaphyrin.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a radiation delivery device to treat an abnormal condition according to a concentration of the photosensitizing drug.

9. A method for treating abnormal conditions of a body organ, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a contact device in apposition to tissue of the eye or adjacent to the eye,

using said contact device for delivering radiation to said tissue, and

permitting sufficient time to elapse to allow delivery of radiation to said tissue so as to treat said abnormal condition.

10. A method for treating abnormal conditions of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a contact device in opposition to tissue of the eye or adjacent to the eye,

using said contact device for delivering radiation to said tissue, the radiation including at least one of infrared, x-rays and gamma rays, and

permitting sufficient time to elapse to allow delivery of radiation to said tissue so as to treat said abnormal condition.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the infrared radiation includes heat generated by a conductive polymer.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the x-rays and gamma rays include radiation delivered using radioactive seeds.

13. An apparatus for treating abnormal conditions of the eye comprising:

a contact device for contacting tissue of said eye or adjacent to the eye, and

a radiation source for delivering radiation to said tissue of said eye so as to treat said abnormal condition, said radiation source including at least one of infrared, x-rays and gamma rays.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a temperature detector.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the radiation source is infrared radiation delivered by a conductive polymer.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said abnormal conditions include at least one of hypoxia, abnormal vasculature, glaucoma and cancer.