Interstitial fluid monitoring
US6056738A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2037/0007
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in bodily fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pulse temporal width and irradiation spot size, the pulses precisely irradiate the skin to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy portions of the skin. After irradiation, interstitial fluid is collected into a container or left on the skin. The interstitial fluid is then tested for a desired analyte to approximate the analyte concentration in other bodily fluids. Alternatively, after the forced formation of a microblister, the epidermis covering the microblister is lysed and the interstitial fluid is subsequently collected and tested.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.