Patent · US Expired

Testing of body fluid constituents through measuring light reflected from tympanic membrane

US5115133A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
35References
69Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 19, 1990
Grant dateMay 19, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 19, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/1491
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.