Non-spectrophotometric measurement of analyte concentrations and optical properties of objects
US5818044A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/3137
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Improvement methods and apparatus for determination of optical properties of objects have been developed. The apparatus and methods of the invention provide an analog of color perception of human vision, preferably in the near infrared region, replacing spectrophotometers and narrow band sources used in other non-invasive near infrared detection methods. A plurality of detector units are used, each covering a broad and overlapping region of the detected spectrum, paralleling color perception and colorimetry. The improvements are primarily concerned with improving the signal-to-background (or noise) ratio such that the data stream is improved. These improvements use congruent sampling, comparison of different data streams from different sample portions or filter sets, using an interrogation system with sufficient speed to allow testing of arterial blood, and using a filter with a spectral structure. In some circumstances, a neural net is used for analysis, allowing the system to learn. A novel method for background discrimination is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.