Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optically detecting biologically-sourced acoustic signal(s) are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, K-sounds are detected and/or blood pressure is measured. Alternatively or additionally, an optical stethoscope (e.g. diffused-light interferometer optical stethoscope) is employed.

Abstract: While measuring analytes in an object, movements between the object and a device that is taking the measurement may adversely effect the accuracy of the measurements. A probe that engages an object includes a sticky surface that comes into contact with the object to alleviate the relative movement between the probe and the object. The sticky substance can be applied in a variety of manners and embodiments and in general, helps to reduce the relative movement. In addition, the probe may include the ability to apply pressure to the object. The pressure can range from a slight pressure to help reduce relative movement to a pressure that exceeds systolic pressure, thereby constricting the flow of blood through the object.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one desired characteristic of patient's blood. A condition of artificial blood kinetics is created at a measurement location in a patient's blood perfused fleshy medium and maintained for a certain time period. This condition is altered over a predetermined time interval within said certain time period so as to modulate scattering properties of blood. Optical measurements are applied to the measurement location by illuminating it with incident light beams of at least two different wavelengths in a range where the scattering properties of blood are sensitive to light radiation, detecting light responses of the medium, and generating measured data indicative of time evolutions of the light responses of the medium for said at least two different wavelengths, respectively, over at least a part of said predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An optical measurement device and method are presented for use in non-invasive measurements on a patient's body. The device comprises an illumination assembly configured and operable to generate illuminating light of a predetermined wavelength range; a detection assembly; and a light directing assembly. The detection assembly comprises a first detector unit for detecting a first light signal transmitted through an illuminated body portion and generating first measured data indicative of the detected transmitted light, and a second detector unit for detecting a second light signal reflected from the illuminated body portion and generating second measured data indicative of the detected reflected light. The light directing assembly comprises a light diffuser for scattering back light incident thereto, to thereby direct the illuminating light or the light coming from the body portion back towards the body portion.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in non-invasive measurements in a patient's body. A condition of artificial blood kinetics is created at a measurement location in a patient's blood perfused fleshy medium, and this condition is maintained for a certain time period. An external electromagnetic field is applied to the measurement location while under the condition of artificial blood kinetics. A time variation of a response of the blood perfused fleshy medium to this external electromagnetic field is detected, and measured data indicative thereof is generated. The response of the medium can be a photo-acoustic signal obtained in response to incident light, and/or impedance of the medium in response to the applied ac electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one desired characteristic of patient's blood. A condition of artificial blood kinetics is created at a measurement location in a patient's blood perfused fleshy medium and maintained for a certain time period. This condition is altered over a predetermined time interval within said certain time period so as to modulate scattering properties of blood. Optical measurements are applied to the measurement location by illuminating it with incident light beams of at least two different wavelengths in a range where the scattering properties of blood are sensitive to light radiation, detecting light responses of the medium, and generating measured data indicative of time evolutions of the light responses of the medium for said at least two different wavelengths, respectively, over at least a part of said predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring time variations of a response of a blood perfused fleshy medium to an external electromagnetic field is provided. The response of the medium to the external electromagnetic field can be a photo-acoustic signal, obtained in response to the exciting light, and/or impedance of the medium, in response to the applied ac electromagnetic field. Measurements of the time variations of the response of the medium are carried out when the condition of artificial kinetics is created and maintained over a certain time period by applying primary over-systolic pressure to a certain location at the medium with normal blood flow, so as to achieve a state of temporary blood flow cessation at the medium downstream of the certain location. When required, the control of the condition of the artificial kinetics can be further achieved by applying a perturbation of secondary pressure to the fleshy medium.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one desired characteristic of patient's blood. A condition of artificial blood kinetics is created at a measurement location in a patient's blood perfused fleshy medium and maintained for a certain time period. This condition is altered over a predetermined time interval within said certain time period so as to modulate scattering properties of blood. Optical measurements are applied to the measurement location by illuminating it with incident light beams of at least two different wavelengths in a range where the scattering properties of blood are sensitive to light radiation, detecting light responses of the medium, and generating measured data indicative of time evolutions of the light responses of the medium for said at least two different wavelengths, respectively, over at least a part of said predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An optical measurement device and method are presented for use in non-invasive measurements on a patient's body. The device comprises an illumination assembly configured and operable to generate illuminating light of a predetermined wavelength range; a detection assembly; and a light directing assembly. The detection assembly comprises a first detector unit for detecting a first light signal transmitted through an illuminated body portion and generating first measured data indicative of the detected transmitted light, and a second detector unit for detecting a second light signal reflected from the illuminated body portion and generating second measured data indicative of the detected reflected light. The light directing assembly comprises a light diffuser for scattering back light incident thereto, to thereby direct the illuminating light or the light coming from the body portion back towards the body portion.

Abstract: A probe device for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one parameter of the patient's blood. The probe device comprises a finger holder in the form of a clip member that secures a fingertip between its clamping legs. The probe device supports a measuring unit for applying optical measurements to a measurement location on the finger and carries a pressurizing assembly operable for applying controllably variable, substantially under-systolic pressure to the finger in the vicinity of the measurement location. Several measurement sessions are performed at the measurement location with at least two different 3 wavelength of incident light to detect light response of the medium and generate measured data indicative thereof, and the pressure applied to the vicinity of the measurement location is simultaneously varied during measurements. The light response of the medium corresponding to different wavelength of the incident light and different pressure values during measurements.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring time variations of a response of a blood perfused fleshy medium to an external electromagnetic field is provided. The response of the medium to the external electromagnetic field can be a photo-acoustic signal, obtained in response to the exciting light, and/or impedance of the medium, in response to the applied ac electromagnetic field. Measurements of the time variations of the response of the medium are carried out when the condition of artificial kinetics is created and maintained over a certain time period by applying primary over-systolic pressure to a certain location at the medium with normal blood flow, so as to achieve a state of temporary blood flow cessation at the medium downstream of the certain location. When required, the control of the condition of the artificial kinetics can be further achieved by applying a perturbation of secondary pressure to the fleshy medium.

Abstract: A method and device are presented for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one desired characteristic of patient's blood. A condition of artificial blood kinetics is created at a measurement location in a patient's blood perfused fleshy medium and maintained for a certain time period. This condition is altered over a predetermined time interval within said certain time period so as to modulate scattering properties of blood. Optical measurements are applied to the measurement location by illuminating it with incident light beams of at least two different wavelengths in a range where the scattering properties of blood are sensitive to light radiation, detecting light responses of the medium, and generating measured data indicative of time evolutions of the light responses of the medium for said at least two different wavelengths, respectively, over at least a part of said predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A disposable device is presented aimed at enhancing blood-related signals and improving their quality during non-invasive measurements of blood parameters. The device is applicable to a patient's finger or toe, and comprises a cover for wrapping at least a part of the finger or toe including a tip portion thereof in a manner to provide even pressurization of tissue within the wrapped portion with a pressure less than a systolic pressure. This results in enhancement and quality improvement of the measured blood-related signal. The cover is elastic and is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the finger or toe between an inoperative folded position of the cover and an operative extracted position of the cover, in which it wraps the finger or toe portion including the tip portion and provides said even pressurization of the entire wrapped tissue. At least a portion of the cover is made of a material enabling the non-invasive measurements of the blood-related signal therethrough.

Abstract: A probe device for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one parameter of the patient's blood. The probe device comprises a finger holder in the form of a clip member that secures a fingertip between its clamping legs. The probe device supports a measuring unit for applying optical measurements to a measurement location on the finger and carries a pressurizing assembly operable for applying controllably variable, substantially under-systolic pressure to the finger in the vicinity of the measurement location. Several measurement sessions are performed at the measurement location with at least two different 3wavelength of incident light to detect light response of the medium and generate measured data indicative thereof, and the pressure applied to the vicinity of the measurement location is simultaneously varied during measurements. The light response of the medium corresponding to different wavelength of the incident light and different pressure values during measurements.

Abstract: A disposable device is presented aimed at enhancing blood-related signals and improving their quality during non-invasive measurements of blood parameters. The device is applicable to a patient's finger or toe, and comprises a cover for wrapping at least a part of the finger or toe including a tip portion thereof in a manner to provide even pressurization of tissue within the wrapped portion with a pressure less than a systolic pressure. This results in enhancement and quality improvement of the measured blood-related signal. The cover is elastic and is shiftable along a longitudinal axis of the finger or toe between an inoperative folded position of the cover and an operative extracted position of the cover, in which it wraps the finger or toe portion including the tip portion and provides said even pressurization of the entire wrapped tissue. At least a portion of the cover is made of a material enabling the non-invasive measurements of the blood-related signal therethrough.

Abstract: An optical measurement device is presented. The device is attachable to the patient's body and adapted for performing non-invasive measurements of blood-related signals. The device comprises a measurement unit for applying optical measurements to a first region on the patient's extreme organ, and an occlusion assembly for applying over-systolic pressure to a second region on the patient's body located upstream of the first location with respect to a normal blood flow direction. A substantially flexible, heating element is provided within the measurement unit, and is accommodated so as to engage at least a part of the first region for heating it to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A finger holder for attaching to the patient's finger and an optical measurement device utilizing the finger holder for performing non-invasive measurements of blood-related signals are presented. The finger holder comprises a measuring unit located at a first location of the finger and a pressurizing assembly capable of applying desired over-systolic pressure to a second location on the patient's finger upstream of the first location with respect to a normal blood flow direction. The measuring unit is supported on a clip member that secures the fingertip between the clip's legs. A substantially rigid connector connects the clip member and the pressurizing assembly, wherein the connector engages the finger along its middle phalanx and proximal intephalangeal joint, thereby preventing it from folding during the measurements.