US5115133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Testing of body fluid constituents through measuring light reflected from tympanic membrane
Assignee: Diabetes Diagnostics Inc
•
Filing: 1990-04-19
•
Granted: 1992-05-19
•
Expires: 2010-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining a level of a constituent such as glucose in a body fluid such as blood. The apparatus and method utilize a light generator for generating a testing light of known intensity with the testing light including a wavelength absorbable by the constituent being measured. The light generator also generates a reference light of known intensity having a wavelength not absorbable by the constituent being measured. The testing light and reference light are directed toward a fluid containing an unknown concentration of a constituent. A light detector is provided for measuring the intensity of the testing light and reference light being spectrally modified by the fluid. A light path distance measurer is provided for measuring a distance of a light path traveled by the testing light and reference light. A circuit is provided for calculating a level of the constituent in the fluid in response to a reduction in intensity of the testing light and reference light and in response to the measured distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark B. Knudson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6815; A61B5/6817; A61B5/145; A61B5/14532; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for determining a level of a constituent in a body fluid, said apparatus comprising light generating means for generating a testing light of known intensity with said testing light including at least one wavelength absorbable by said constituent and directing said testing light toward said fluid; light detecting means for measuring an intensity of said testing light reflected from said fluid; light path measurement means for measuring an actual distance of a light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said fluid; circuit means for calculating a level of said constituent in said fluid in response to a reduction in intensity of said testing light between said light generating means and said light detecting means and in response to said actual distance measured by said light path measurement means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for determining a level of a constituent in a body fluid, said apparatus comprising light generating means for generating a testing light of known intensity with said testing light including at least one wavelength absorbable by said constituent and directing said testing light toward said fluid; light detecting means for measuring an intensity of said testing light reflected from said fluid; light path measurement means for measuring an actual distance of a light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said fluid; circuit means for calculating a level of said constituent in said fluid in response to a reduction in intensity of said testing light between said light generating means and said light detecting means and in response to said actual distance measured by said light path measurement means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said light generating means includes means for generating at least two wavelengths including said testing light and a reference light of known intensity having at least one wavelength not absorbable by said constituent, said light detecting means including means for measuring said testing light and said reference light reflected from said fluid and said circuit means including means for comparing said measured intensities and using said measured intensity of said reference light as a reference for determining the amount of said testing light absorbed by said constituent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 comprising means for multiplexing said testing and reference lights emitted from said light generating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising heating means for controlling a temperature of said fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said light generating means, said light detecting means and said light path measurement means are disposed at a distal end of a housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said body fluid is contained within a tympanic membrane and wherein said housing is sized to be received within an auditory canal of an ear with said distal end opposing said tympanic membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said distal end includes a material selected to pass said absorbable wavelength.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said absorbable wavelength is infrared.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said testing light includes a plurality of wavelengths absorbable by a plurality of different constituents and wherein said circuit means includes means for separately calculating the level of each of said constituents in response to a measured intensity of each of said wavelengths reflected from said fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said housing includes means for blocking ambient light from entering said auditory canal and reaching said distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is blood.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said constituent is glucose.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is crevicular fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said constituent is glucose.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is peritoneal fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said constituent is glucose.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising admitting means for admitting a chemical to a body with a level of said constituent in said body fluid changing in response to an amount of said chemical admitted to said body, control means connecting said circuit means to said admitting means for varying an amount of said chemical admitted to said body in response to a level of said constituent calculated by said circuit means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 comprising heating means for heating said tympanic membrane to a temperature sufficient for fluid containing vessels in said tympanic membrane to be open.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 comprising temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of said tympanic membrane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 comprising signal means indicating a measured temperature of said tympanic membrane has exceeded a maximum predetermined temperature range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one wavelength is in a range of about 500 to about 4000 wave numbers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said at least one wavelength is about 1040 wave numbers.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus of determining a level of a blood constituent through non-invasive testing, said apparatus comprising: light generating means for generating testing light of known intensity and including a wavelength absorbable by said constituent; light detecting means for measuring an intensity of light; housing means having a distal end for carrying said light generating means and said light detecting means with said distal end sized to be received within an auditory canal of an ear with said light generating means and said light detecting means opposing a tympanic membrane; light path measurement means for measuring an actual distance of a light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said tympanic membrane; circuit means for calculating a level of said constituent in blood within blood vessels of said tympanic membrane in response to a reduction of intensity of said testing light between said light generating means and said light detecting means and in response to said measured actual distance.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus of determining a level of a blood constituent through non-invasive testing, said apparatus comprising: light generating means for generating testing light of known intensity and including a wavelength absorbable by said constituent; light detecting means for measuring an intensity of light; housing means having a distal end for carrying said light generating means and said light detecting means with said distal end sized to be received within an auditory canal of an ear with said light generating means and said light detecting means opposing a tympanic membrane; light path measurement means for measuring an actual distance of a light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said tympanic membrane; circuit means for calculating a level of said constituent in blood within blood vessels of said tympanic membrane in response to a reduction of intensity of said testing light between said light generating means and said light detecting means and in response to said measured actual distance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said light generating means includes means for generating at least two wavelengths including said testing light and the reference light having a wavelength not absorbable by said constituent, said light detecting means including means for measuring said testing light and said reference light reflected from said tympanic membrane, and in said circuit means including means for comparing said measured intensities and using said measured intensity of said reference light as a reference for determining the amount of said testing light absorbed by said constituent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 comprising means for multiplexing said testing and reference lights emitted from said light generating means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 comprising heating means for heating said tympanic membrane to a temperature sufficient for said blood vessels to be unrestricted.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said distal end includes a material selected to pass said absorbable wavelength.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said absorbable wavelength is infrared.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said testing light includes a plurality of wavelengths absorbable by a plurality of different constituents wherein said circuit means includes means for separately calculating a level of each of said constituents in response to a measured intensity of each of said wavelengths reflected from said tissue
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said housing includes means for blocking ambient light from entering said auditory canal and reaching said distal end.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said constituent is blood glucose.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said wavelength is in a range of about 500 to about 4000 wave numbers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus, according to claim 32 wherein said wavelength is about 1040 wave numbers.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of non-invasive testing of a blood constituent utilizing light generating means for generating a testing light of known intensity and including a wavelength absorbable by said constituent, light detecting means for measuring an amount of light reflected from a tissue containing blood, light path measurement means for measuring a distance of a light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said tissue and circuit means for calculating a level of said constituent in said tissue in response to a reduction in intensity of said testing light said light generating means and said light detecting means and in response to said measured distance, said method including the steps of: locating said light generating means in a location for light from said light generating means to be directed to a tympanic membrane and reflected back toward said light detecting means; directing said testing light to said tympanic membrane; measuring an intensity of said testing light reflected by said tympanic membrane; measuring an actual distance of said light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said tympanic membrane; and calculating a level of said constituent by comparing said measured and known intensities and allowing for an effect of said measured actual distance.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of non-invasive testing of a blood constituent utilizing light generating means for generating a testing light of known intensity and including a wavelength absorbable by said constituent, light detecting means for measuring an amount of light reflected from a tissue containing blood, light path measurement means for measuring a distance of a light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said tissue and circuit means for calculating a level of said constituent in said tissue in response to a reduction in intensity of said testing light said light generating means and said light detecting means and in response to said measured distance, said method including the steps of: locating said light generating means in a location for light from said light generating means to be directed to a tympanic membrane and reflected back toward said light detecting means; directing said testing light to said tympanic membrane; measuring an intensity of said testing light reflected by said tympanic membrane; measuring an actual distance of said light path from said light generating means to said light detecting means via said tympanic membrane; and calculating a level of said constituent by comparing said measured and known intensities and allowing for an effect of said measured actual distance.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said method utilizes heating means for heating said tympanic membrane and said method includes the steps of heating said tympanic membrane to a temperature sufficient for blood vessels in said tympanic membrane to be unrestricted.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
143 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said light generating means includes means for generating at least two wavelengths including said testing light and a reference light of known intensity having a wavelength non-absorbable by said constituent, said light detecting means including means for measuring said testing light and said reference light reflected from said tympanic membrane and said circuit means including means for comparing said measured intensities and using said measured intensity of said reference light as a reference for determining the amount of said testing light absorbed by said constituent, said method including the step of directing said reference light towards the tympanic membrane and measuring an intensity of said reference light reflected off said tympanic membrane and calculating a level of said constituent by comparing a measured intensity of said reference light to a measured intensity of said testing light.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising multiplexing said reference light and said testing light at said light generating means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said constituent is glucose.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said wavelength of said testing light is infrared.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said testing light includes a plurality of wavelengths absorbable by a plurality of constituents and wherein said circuit means include the means for separately calculating the level of each of said constituents in response to a measured intensity of each of said wavelengths reflected from said tympanic membrane, said method including the steps of directing each of said plurality of wavelengths to said tympanic membrane and measuring an intensity of each wavelength reflected from said tympanic membrane and calculating the level of each of said constituents.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said testing light is selected to have at least a wavelength in a range of about 500 to 4000 wave numbers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 41 wherein said testing light is selected to have at least a wavelength of about 1040 wave numbers.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for determining a level of a constituent in a body fluid, said apparatus comprising: light generating means for generating a source light including at least one wavelength absorbable by the constituent; directing means for directing said source light to a tympanic membrane; light detection means for detecting light reflected from said tympanic membrane and producing an output signal indicative of an amount of absorption of said light by said tympanic membrane; and processing means for receiving said output signal and calculating an amount of said constituent in a body fluid within said tympanic membrane.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for determining a level of a constituent in a body fluid, said apparatus comprising: light generating means for generating a source light including at least one wavelength absorbable by the constituent; directing means for directing said source light to a tympanic membrane; light detection means for detecting light reflected from said tympanic membrane and producing an output signal indicative of an amount of absorption of said light by said tympanic membrane; and processing means for receiving said output signal and calculating an amount of said constituent in a body fluid within said tympanic membrane.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said at least one wavelength is in a range of about 500 to about 4000 wave numbers.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said at least one wave numbers is about 1040 wavelengths.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
95 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said light generating means includes means for generating at least two wavelengths including said source light and a reference light of known intensity having at least one wavelength not absorbable by said constituent, said light detection means including means for measuring said source light and said reference light reflected from said tympanic membrane and said processing means including means for comparing said measured intensities and using said measured intensity of said reference light as a reference for determining the amount of said source light absorbed by said constituent.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 46 comprising means for multiplexing said source and reference lights emitted from said light generating means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 comprising heating means for controlling a temperature of said tympanic membrane.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said light generating means and said light detection means are disposed at a distal end of a housing.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said housing is sized to be received within an auditory canal of an ear with said distal end opposing said tympanic membrane.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said distal end includes a material selected to pass said absorbable wavelength.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said absorbable wavelength is infrared.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said source light includes a plurality of wavelengths absorbable by a plurality of different constituents and wherein said processing means includes means for separately calculating the level of each of said constituents in response to a measured intensity of each of said wavelengths reflected from said tympanic membrane.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said housing includes means for blocking ambient light from entering said auditory canal and reaching said distal end.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said fluid is blood.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 55 wherein said constituent is glucose.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus according to claim 43 comprising admitting means for admitting a chemical to a body with a level of said constituent in said body fluid changing in response to awn amount of said chemical admitted to said body, control means connecting said processing means to said admitting means for varying an amount of said chemical admitted to said body in response to a level of said constituent calculated by said processing means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 49 comprising heating means for heating said tympanic member to a temperature sufficient for fluid containing vessels in said tympanic membrane to be open.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 49 comprising temperature detection means for detecting a temperature of said tympanic membrane.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 59 comprising signal means indicating a measured temperature of said tympanic membrane has exceeded a maximum predetermined temperature range.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for determining a level of a constituent in a body fluid, said method comprising: generating a source light including at least one wavelength absorbable by the constituent; directing said source light to a tympanic membrane; detecting light reflected from said tympanic membrane and producing a signal indicative of an amount of absorption of said light by said tympanic membrane; and receiving said signal and calculating an amount of said constituent in a body fluid within said tympanic membrane in response to said received signal.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for determining a level of a constituent in a body fluid, said method comprising: generating a source light including at least one wavelength absorbable by the constituent; directing said source light to a tympanic membrane; detecting light reflected from said tympanic membrane and producing a signal indicative of an amount of absorption of said light by said tympanic membrane; and receiving said signal and calculating an amount of said constituent in a body fluid within said tympanic membrane in response to said received signal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 61 wherein said source light is selected to have said at least one wavelength in a range of about 500 to 4000 wave numbers.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 62 wherein said at least one wavelength is selected to have a wavelength of about 1040 wave numbers.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 61 wherein said method utilizes heating means for heating said tympanic membrane to a temperature sufficient for blood vessels in said tympanic membrane to be unrestricted.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 61 wherein further comprising the step of directing a reference light of known intensity having a wavelength non-absorbable by said constituent towards the tympanic membrane and measuring an intensity of said reference light reflected off said tympanic membrane and calculating a level of said constituent by comparing a measured intensity of said reference light to a measured intensity of said source light.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 65 comprising multiplexing said reference light and said source light at said light generating means.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said constituent is glucose.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said wavelength of said source light is infrared.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 65 wherein said source light includes a plurality, said method including the steps of directing each of said plurality of wavelengths to said tympanic membrane and measuring an intensity of each wavelength reflected from said tympanic membrane and calculating the level of each of said constituents.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-19 | 1995-11-18 | 1996-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-19 | 1999-11-18 | 2000-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-19 | 2003-11-18 | 2004-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |