Noninvasive measurement of chemical substances

• US 8,914,089 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US12/213,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20090036761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,377 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/318, 600/319
• US Class Current: 600/319
• 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 the concentration of at least one substance in conjunctival tissue of the eye, said apparatus comprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation optically coupled to a remote transmitter, said remote transmitter being configured to irradiate one side of the conjuctival tissue of the eye,

a detecting device optically coupled with a remote receiver, said remote receiver being configured to be located on an opposite side from the one side of the conjuctival tissue and exteriorly of the eye and collecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substance being measured in the conjuctival tissue,

said detecting device being configured for detecting an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation and providing an output signal representative of the detected intensity of said radiation,

the remote receiver and the remote transmitter being maintained spaced from each other and located diametrically opposed to each other at corresponding terminal ends of two arms, said two arms extending from the source of electromagnetic radiation and from the detecting device, respectively, said two arms being bent outwardly from the source of electromagnetic radiation and from said detecting device, said two arms then being bent inwardly and terminating at said remote receiver and said remote transmitter, respectively, in a forceps configuration to space the remote receiver and said remote transmitter from each other, and

an analyzer/processor configured to calculate a concentration of the substance of interest in the conjunctival tissue of the eye from the output signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one substance includes at least one of glucose, cholesterol and ethanol.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter for selecting a wavelength corresponding to absorption of infrared energy by the substance being measured.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filter has a bandwidth centered on about 2,120 nm.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filter has a bandwidth centered on about 2,300 nm.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filter has a bandwidth centered on about 3,300 nm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote receiver is an infrared sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein electromagnetic radiation from the source of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted by an optical fiber cable to the remote transmitter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the remote receiver includes a collection of optical fibers.

10. A method for noninvasive measurement of at least one substance in a plasma/conjunctiva interface of the eye, said method comprising the steps of:

irradiating one side of the plasma/conjunctiva interface of the eye with electromagnetic radiation exteriorly of the eye from a source of electromagnetic radiation,

positioning a collector of electromagnetic radiation diametrically opposed to the source of electromagnetic radiation on an opposite side from the one side of the plasma/conjunctiva interface exteriorly of the eye, said collector of electromagnetic radiation and said source of electromagnetic radiation being spaced apart in a forceps configuration,

collecting by the collector electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substance in the plasma/conjunctiva interface of the eye,

detecting an intensity of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substance being measured in the plasma/conjunctiva interface of the eye and collected by the collector, and

providing an output signal representative of the intensity of said radiation collected by the collector and calculating a concentration of the substance in the plasma/conjunctiva interface of the eye from the output signal in the absence of surgical intervention.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein an output of the source of electromagnetic radiation and an input of the collector of radiation are in contact with the eyelid of the eye.