Infrared cholesterol sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A blood-cholesterol detection apparatus comprising:
- illumination means for non-invasively illuminating an in vivo blood sample in a patient at a plurality of infrared wavelengths for generating a background reference signal and a cholesterol data signal;
detector means for non-invasively detecting light effected by said sample at least one data wavelength and at one reference wavelength for each data wavelength of said plurality of wavelengths and for converting said detected light into electrical signals, said electrical signals being indicative of the intensity of said effected light at said data and reference wavelengths, said data and reference wavelengths being separated by no more than about 100 nm; and
analyzing means for receiving and comparing said electrical signals to derive a ratio for at least said data and reference wavelengths, such that said ratio can be compared with predetermined values associated with known blood-cholesterol concentrations so as to detect the cholesterol level in said sample.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for non-invasive blood analysis are disclosed in which blood is illuminated at a plurality of discrete wavelengths selected from the near infrared spectrum. Measurements of the intensity of reflected or transmitted light at such wavelengths are taken, and an analysis of reflectance or transmittance ratios for various wavelengths is performed. Changes in the ratios can be correlated with specific material properties, such as the concentration of cholesterol in a subject'"'"'s circulatory system.
56 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A blood-cholesterol detection apparatus comprising:
-
illumination means for non-invasively illuminating an in vivo blood sample in a patient at a plurality of infrared wavelengths for generating a background reference signal and a cholesterol data signal; detector means for non-invasively detecting light effected by said sample at least one data wavelength and at one reference wavelength for each data wavelength of said plurality of wavelengths and for converting said detected light into electrical signals, said electrical signals being indicative of the intensity of said effected light at said data and reference wavelengths, said data and reference wavelengths being separated by no more than about 100 nm; and analyzing means for receiving and comparing said electrical signals to derive a ratio for at least said data and reference wavelengths, such that said ratio can be compared with predetermined values associated with known blood-cholesterol concentrations so as to detect the cholesterol level in said sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for detecting blood-cholesterol levels in vivo, comprising the steps of:
-
illuminating a source of blood non-invasively through the tissue of a subject with light at a plurality of infrared wavelengths for generating a background reference signal and a cholesterol data signal; detecting said infrared light at at least one data wavelength and at one reference wavelength for each data wavelength of said plurality of wavelengths as effected by said blood and converting said detected light into electrical signals indicative of the intensity of said effected light at said wavelengths, said data and reference wavelengths being separated by no more than about 100 nanometers; analyzing said electrical signals to derive a ratio for said data and reference wavelengths; and comparing said ratio to a predetermined value to detect the presence of cholesterol in said blood. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A blood-cholesterol detection apparatus comprising:
-
illumination means for non-invasively illuminating an in vivo blood sample in a patient at a plurality of infrared wavelengths, said illumination means further comprising at least two light sources, with a first one of said sources being operable at a first one of said wavelengths and a second one of said sources being operable at a second one of said wavelengths about 100 nm away from said first wavelength, for generating a background reference signal and a cholesterol data signal within a narrow measurement window; detector means for non-invasively detecting light effected by said sample at said reference and data wavelengths and for converting said detected light into electrical reference and data signals, said electrical signals being indicative of the intensity of said effected light at said first and second wavelengths; and analyzing means for receiving and comparing said electrical signals to derive a ratio for said first and second wavelengths, such that said ratio can be compared with predetermined values associated with known blood-cholesterol concentrations so as to detect the cholesterol level in said blood sample. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for detecting blood-cholesterol levels in vivo, comprising the steps of:
-
illuminating a source of blood non-invasively through the tissue of a subject with at least two light sources, each producing light at a distinct infrared wavelength within a window at about 100 nm wide, for generating a background reference signal and a cholesterol data signal; detecting said infrared light as effected by said blood and converting said detected light into electrical signals indicative of the intensity of said effected light at said wavelengths; analyzing said electrical signals to derive a ratio for said wavelengths; and comparing said ratio to a predetermined value to detect the presence and concentration of cholesterol in said blood. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
-
Specification