Device and method for measuring an analyte under the nail

• US 9,173,965 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marcus A. Kramer, Rush L. Bartlett II
• Original Assignee: Marcus A. Kramer, Rush L. Bartlett II
• Inventors: Bartlett, Rush L. II, Kramer, Marcus A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US14/172,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20140155718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/322, 600/344, 600/335
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/449 Nail evaluation, e.g. for nail disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0002 General or multifunctional contrast agents, e.g. chelated agents

Abstract

An apparatus includes a source and a detector. The source is operable to transmit light. The detector is operable to receive at least a portion of the light transmitted by the source. The source and the detector can be positioned on a nail of a digit such that the light enters the nail through an entrance region. The light further exits the nail through an exit region. The entrance region is defined by a lateral portion of the nail. The light is directed to interact with at least one analyte.

Claims

1. A method of detecting an analyte using a source and a detector, wherein the source is operable to transmit a focused light beam to the detector, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing the source on one portion of a nail of a human digit;

(b) placing the detector on another portion of the nail;

(c) firing the focused light beam through the nail toward the detector along a line defining a secant with the nail;

(d) receiving at least a portion of the focused light beam with the detector;

(e) processing a signal resulting from the receiving to detect an analyte.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein the source comprises a first collimator positioned to create the focused light beam, where the focused light beam has a path;

and

further comprising a second collimator positioned along the path of the focused light beam before the focused light beam reaches the detector.