Apparatus for Non-Invasive Spectroscopic Measurement of Analytes, and Method of Using the Same

• US 20090018420A1
• Filed: 11/27/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspiring Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Affirmed Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: White, Steve C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• 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 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• 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 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis

Abstract

An apparatus for spectroscopic evaluation of a subject'"'"'s body fluids may be used at the interstitial region adjacent to or in between a subject'"'"'s extremities using a spectroscopic probe. The spectroscopic probe may possess one or more of the movements such as rotational, translational, and/or vertical freedom necessary for the probe to contact the subject'"'"'s tissue at a consistent angle and pressure while accommodating the different size of the subject'"'"'s extremities, and may be housed in a device optimized for attaining reproducible blood flow to the region of the subject that is measured, and for minimizing the effects of the housing pulling, stretching, pressing, compressing the subject'"'"'s skin. A pressure sensor may be used to ensure that measurements are taken at an optimal pressure. A touch sensor may be used to activate a system and/or to ensure flushness. In addition, the spectroscopic measurement may be coupled with a temperature measurement means that detects the subject'"'"'s local body temperature in or near the region being measured, or the subject'"'"'s core or mean body temperature, or the ambient temperature proximate to the probe, or any combination of those measurements. The system may also include one or more indicators to communicate information to a test subject.

Claims

1. A method for non-invasively evaluating bodily fluids of a subject, comprising:

providing a source of electromagnetic radiation to a device;

positioning the device at an interstitial location between fingers or toes of the subject; and

receiving the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 also comprising applying the device to a surface of the subject at a substantially constant pressure.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the interstitial location is between first and second fingers of the subject.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the device is applied so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the subject.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic radiation is near infrared radiation.

6. An apparatus for non-invasively evaluating bodily fluids of a subject, comprising:

means for providing a source of electromagnetic radiation to a device;

means for positioning the device at an interstitial location between fingers or toes of the subject; and

means for receiving the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the subject.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 also comprising means for applying the device to a surface of the subject at a substantially constant pressure.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the interstitial location is between first and second fingers of the subject.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the device is applied so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the subject.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the electromagnetic radiation is near infrared radiation.

11. An apparatus for non-invasively evaluating bodily fluids of a subject, comprising:

a probe;

a mounting support for the probe that defines at least one path; and

a biasing element;

wherein the probe is movable along the at least one path in a direction away from an initial point, and the probe is biased by a substantially constant force exerted by the biasing element toward the initial point.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the probe comprises a probe head and a probe body, wherein the probe body having a proximal end and a distal end, and the probe head is pivotally attached to the probe body.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the probe is also movable up and down along a second path that is substantially orthogonal to the at least one path.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the biasing element is a coil spring.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the initial point is adjacent an interstitial location between fingers or toes of a measurement subject.

16. A probe for non-invasively evaluating bodily fluids of a subject, comprising:

a source of electromagnetic radiation;

a probe head;

at least one fiberoptic for conveying electromagnetic radiation from the source to the probe head;

a detector; and

at least a second fiberoptic for conveying electromagnetic radiation reflected from the subject to the detector,

wherein the probe head is adapted to be received at an interstitial location between fingers or toes of the subject.

17. The probe of claim 16 wherein the probe is biased toward the interstitial location by a substantially constant force.

18. The probe of claim 16 wherein the probe head is pivotable so as to be able to pivot to be substantially flush with a surface of the subject.

19. The probe of claim 16 wherein the probe head is adjustable up and down relative to the interstitial location.

20. The probe of claim 16 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation generates near infrared radiation.

21. A fiberoptic member for use in spectroscopic measurement comprising:

a plurality of fiberoptic strands adapted to convey electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation to a device;

a plurality of fiberoptic strands adapted to convey electromagnetic radiation from the device to a detector;

the plurality of fiberoptic strands and the plurality of other fiberoptic strands combined into a single fiberoptic bundle at the device;

wherein at least some of the other fiberoptic strands are arranged in a double row along an outer periphery of the single fiberoptic bundle.

22. The fiberoptic member of claim 21 wherein the single fiberoptic bundle is adapted to be received at an interstitial location between fingers or toes of a measurement subject.

23. The fiberoptic member of claim 21 also comprising a temperature measurement device.

24. The fiberoptic member of claim 21 wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation generates near infrared radiation.

25. The fiberoptic member of claim 23 wherein the temperature measurement device is an infrared device.