MOBILE SMART DEVICE INFRARED LIGHT MEASURING APPARATUS, PIMETHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING SUBSTANCES

• US 20160025624A1
• Filed: 10/07/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quick, LLC
• Original Assignee: Quick, LLC
• Inventors: Mucci, David Anthony, Clark, Ronald Gary Jr., Fox, James Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,031,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3577 for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light

Abstract

A handheld infrared spectroscopy device and method of use. The device is a hand-held spectroscopy device, that may be integral to a mobile phone or smart device such as a smart phone, tablet, personal digital assistant, computer or other device that is portable and capable of performing applications. A liquid sample port internal to the device and in close proximity to the device spectrometer performs infrared spectra analysis on liquid samples, allowing both portability as well as highly sophisticated and specific spectral analysis of liquid samples. The device has wireless communication capability, enabling transmission of data and spectral imagery across the globe.

Claims

1. A handheld spectroscopy device comprising:

an infrared light source that emits a wavelength of light in the infrared range, a liquid sample test port and sample tray for receiving a liquid sample, the liquid sample test port and sample tray in close association with the infrared light source wherein the infrared light is directed through all or part of the sample on the sample tray, an infrared receiver for recording a spectrum of the frequencies of infrared light absorption by the liquid sample, and a data processor connected to the infrared light receiver to detect and quantify the concentration of one or more compounds in the liquid sample in the form of spectral data and/or image.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the infrared range has a wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 15000 nm.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the infrared range has a near-IR wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 3000 nm.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the infrared range has a mid-IR wavelength range of about 3000 nm to about 8000 nm.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising one or more infrared filters in close proximity to the infrared source, receiver, or both.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the handheld device is a wireless communication device.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising an infrared calibration emitter and an infrared calibration receiver.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising one or more infrared calibration filters in close proximity to the calibration infrared emitter, calibration infrared receiver, or both.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the sample tray is detachable from the device.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying the spectral data and/or image.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a data transmitter for transmitting the spectral data and/or image to a computer, handheld device, smart device or other means of receiving the spectral data and/or image.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid sample comprises a bodily fluid.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the bodily fluid comprises blood, urine, or saliva.

14. A method for determining a concentration of one or more compounds in a liquid sample, comprising:

placing the liquid sample on a sample tray, inserting the sample tray into a sample test port housed in a handheld device containing an infrared spectrometer, directing infrared light at the sample, recording a spectrum of the frequencies of infrared light absorption, and determining the presence or concentration of one or more compounds in the liquid sample based on the sample infrared light absorption.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the directed infrared light has a wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 15000 nm.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the directed infrared light has a near-IR wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 3000 nm.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the directed infrared light has a mid-IR wavelength range of about 3000 nm to about 8000 nm.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising performing a calibration of the handheld device.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising displaying the presence or concentration of the one or more compounds as spectral data and/or imagery on the handheld device.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting the presence or concentration of the one or more compounds via wireless communication network to one or more other devices.

21. A method for determining a concentration of one or more compounds in a bodily fluid using infrared spectroscopy, comprising:

placing a sample of the bodily fluid on a sample tray, inserting the sample tray into a sample test port housed in a handheld device containing an infrared spectrometer, directing infrared light at the sample, detecting wavelengths of infrared light as result of infrared light absorbed by the sample, recording a spectrum of the frequencies of infrared light absorption by the sample, and transmitting the spectrum of the frequencies of infrared light absorption by the sample via wireless communication network from the handheld device to one or more other devices.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the bodily fluid is blood, urine or saliva.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the directed infrared light has a wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 15000 nm.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the directed infrared light has a near-IR wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 3000 nm.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the directed infrared light has a mid-IR wavelength range of about 3000 nm to about 8000 nm.

26. The method of claim 21 further comprising calibrating the handheld device.

27. The method of claim 21 further comprising displaying the presence or concentration of the one or more compounds as spectral data and/or imagery on the handheld device.

28. The method of claim 21 further comprising transmitting the presence or concentration of the one or more compounds via wireless communication network to one or more other devices.

29. A method of testing a liquid sample using infrared spectroscopy to detect or quantify one or more substances in the liquid sample, said method comprising:

receiving a liquid sample in a liquid test port slideably connected to a handheld spectroscopy device, exposing the liquid sample to infrared light at close range, recording a spectrum of the frequencies of infrared light absorption by the sample, analyzing the frequencies of absorption to detect or quantify the one or more substances in the liquid sample to generate spectral data associated with the liquid sample, and transmitting the spectral data via wireless communication network from the handheld device to one or more other devices.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the liquid sample is a sample of a bodily fluid.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the liquid sample is an environmental fluid.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the directed infrared light has a wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 15000 nm.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the directed infrared light has a near-IR wavelength range of about 650 nm to about 3000 nm.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein the directed infrared light has a mid-IR wavelength range of about 3000 nm to about 8000 nm.