Method and apparatus for measuring blood glucose concentration
First Claim
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1. An apparatus suitable for use in measuring blood glucose concentration in a living being using glucose which is present at the buccal mucosal surface of said being, said apparatus comprising:
- membrane means for containing glucose oxidase enzyme;
means for positioning the said membrane means against said buccal mucosal surface;
means for providing oxygen for said membrane means, said provided oxygen used for peroxidative oxidation of said glucose when said membrane means is positioned against said mucosal surface, said oxidation yielding hydrogen peroxide as a product; and
means for measuring in said membrane means changes in the concentration of at least one compound selected from the group including said provided oxygen and said hydrogen peroxide product.
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Abstract
A non-invasive method for measuring blood glucose concentration using glucose present at the mucosal surface of a living being is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a glucose oxidase membrane on the mucosal surface, providing oxygen for peroxidative oxidation of the glucose present thereat, electrically measuring the amount of hydrogen peroxide product and calibrating that amount to determine blood glucose concentration. Also provided are electrode devices suitable for carrying out the method.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus suitable for use in measuring blood glucose concentration in a living being using glucose which is present at the buccal mucosal surface of said being, said apparatus comprising:
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membrane means for containing glucose oxidase enzyme; means for positioning the said membrane means against said buccal mucosal surface; means for providing oxygen for said membrane means, said provided oxygen used for peroxidative oxidation of said glucose when said membrane means is positioned against said mucosal surface, said oxidation yielding hydrogen peroxide as a product; and means for measuring in said membrane means changes in the concentration of at least one compound selected from the group including said provided oxygen and said hydrogen peroxide product.
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2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measuring means comprises electrode means for generating a signal proportional to changes in the concentration of said at least one compound.
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3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrode means includes wire means for transmitting said signal.
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4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said positioning means comprises a handle member, a holder member connected to said handle member and cap member connected to said holder member, said membrane means being stretchingly fit across the face of said cap member.
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5. The apparatus of claim 4, further including a first wire pathway disposed in said handle member and a second wire pathway disposed in said holder member, and wherein said wire means is housed within said first and second wire pathways.
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6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said holder member includes a pillar extending opposite from said handle member when said holder member is connected to said handle member, said pillar including said second wire pathway.
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7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cap member includes a central cutout, and wherein said pillar of said holder member projects through said cutout when said cap member is connected to said holder member.
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8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said pillar extends beyond said cap member when said cap member is connected to said holder member, said pillar including a face which abuts against said membrane means stretchingly fit over said cap member, whereby said wire means contacts said membrane means at said face for transmitting said signal.
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9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrode means comprises an anode member and a cathode member.
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10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said electrode means further comprises an electrical grounding member.
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11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said positioning means comprises a handle member, a stem member connected to said handle member, a base member connected to said stem member and a probe member supported by said base member, said membrane means being coveringly fit over said probe member.
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12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein positioning means further includes a ridge member extending laterally from said stem member.
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13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said probe member includes said anode member and said cathode member.
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14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said anode member is centrally positioned on the face of said probe member and projects beyond said probe member so as to contact said membrane means.
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15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said cathode member is positioned along the peripheral region of said probe member.
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16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said membrane means comprises an outer layer, a central layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being in contact with said buccal mucosal surface when said membrane means is positioned against said surface.
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17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said outer layer comprises cellulose.
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18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said outer layer comprises polycarbonate.
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19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said central layer includes said glucose oxidase enzyme.
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20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said inner layer comprises cellulose acetate.
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21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said oxygen providing means comprises means for supplying excess oxygen to said membrane means.
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22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said oxygen supplying means comprises means for conducting atmospheric air to said membrane means.
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23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said positioning means comprises a handle member, a holder member connected to said handle member and a cap member connected to said holder member, said membrane means being stretchingly fit across the face of said cap member.
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24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said conducting means includes a first pathway disposed in said handle member, a second pathway communicating with said first pathway and disposed in said holder member, and a third pathway communicating with said second pathway and disposed in said cap member.
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25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said handle member includes means for detachably receiving said holder member.
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26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said receiving means comprises a side arm.
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27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said holder member comprises a plug portion received in said side arm, a disc portion and a central pillar extending from said disc portion opposite said plug portion.
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28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said plug portion includes a ridge and said side arm includes a groove for mating engagement with said ridge.
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29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said cap member includes a central cutout, and wherein said pillar of said holder member projects through said cutout when said cap member is connected to said holder member.
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30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the diameter of said cutout is greater than the diameter of said pillar to form a chamber therebetween, said third air pathway comprising said chamber.
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31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said second pathway disposed in said holder member comprises a plurality of air orifices.
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32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said oxygen supplying means comprises means for conducting oxygen in the air of the mouth of said living being to said membrane means.
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33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said positioning means comprises a probe member, said membrane means being stretchingly fit across the face of said probe member.
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34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said membrane means is saturated with an electrolyte solution, said saturated membrane means comprising said oxygen conducting means.
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35. A method of measuring blood glucose concentration in a living being using glucose which is present at a mucosal surface located in an orifice of said being, said method comprising:
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positioning a membrane member against said mucosal surface, said membrane member including glucose oxidase enzyme; providing oxygen to said membrane member to enable peroxidative oxidation of said glucose, said oxidation producing hydrogen peroxide as a product; measuring the change in concentration of at least one compound selected from the group including said provided oxygen and said hydrogen peroxide product; and calibrating said measurement in order to determine blood glucose concentration.
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36. The method of claim 35, wherein said measuring step comprises measuring the amount of said hydrogen peroxide product.
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37. The method of claim 35, wherein said positioning step comprises positioning said membrane member against a buccal mucosal surface.
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38. The method of claim 35, wherein said providing oxygen step comprises supplying excess oxygen to said membrane member.
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39. The method of claim 38, wherein said providing oxygen step comprises conducting atmospheric air to said membrane member.
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40. The method of claim 38, wherein said providing step comprises conducting oxygen in the air of the mucosal orifice to said membrane member.
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41. An apparatus suitable for use in measuring blood glucose concentration in a living being using glucose which is present at a mucosal surface of said being, said apparatus comprising:
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membrane means for containing glucose oxidase enzyme; means for positioning said membrane means against said mucosal surface; means for providing oxygen for said membrane means, said provided oxygen used for peroxidative oxidation of said glucose when said membrane means is positioned against said mucosal surface, said oxidation yielding hydrogen peroxide as a product; and means for measuring in said membrane means changes in the concentration of at least one compound selected from the group including said provided oxygen and said hydrogen peroxide product.
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Specification