Abstract: A glucose monitoring instrument having network-based communication features which provide a link between patient and practitioner. The glucose monitoring instrument comprises circuitry for communicating data with one or more destination sites on the network which are configured to transmit and receive information to and from the instrument. Instrument measurements are transmitted over the link in addition to information and guidance, to provide increased accuracy, improved program compliance, and patient guidance from a supervisory authority or medical practitioner. In addition, a set of calibration features encourage calibration compliance.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: A solid-state spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from human or animal tissue. The spectrometer includes an infrared transmissive thermal mass window for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, and cooling means in operative combination with the thermal mass window for cooling the thermal mass window. Also provided is an infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions. Data capture means is provided for sampling the output signals received from the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for use with a non-invasive optical measurement system, such as a thermal gradient spectrometer for improved determination of analyte concentrations within living tissue. In a preferred embodiment, a site selector is secured to a patient's forearm thereby isolating a measurement site on the patient's skin for determination of blood glucose levels. The site selector attaches to a thermal mass window of the spectrometer and thus forms an interface between the patient's skin and the thermal mass window. When the spectrometer must be temporarily removed from the patient's skin, such as to allow the patient mobility, the site selector is left secured to the forearm so as to maintain a consistent measurement site on the skin. When the spectrometer is later reattached to the patient, the site selector will again form an interface between the gradient spectrometer and the same location of skin as before.

Abstract: A method uses spectroscopy to determine an analyte concentration in a sample. The method includes producing an absorbance spectrum of the sample. The method further includes shifting the absorbance spectrum to zero in a wavelength region. The method further includes subtracting a water or other substance contribution from the absorbance spectrum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. The modulation of the temperature gradient is controlled by a surface temperature modulation. A transfer function is determined that relates the surface temperature modulation to the modulation of the measured infrared radiation. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, phase and magnitude differences in the transfer function are detected. These phase and magnitude differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system that is capable of being deployed near a patient has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation that includes a spectral band. The whole-blood system also has a detector in an optical path of the beam. The whole-blood system also has a housing that is configured to house the source and the detector. The whole-blood system also has a sample element that is situated in the optical path of the beam. The sample element has a sample cell and a sample cell wall that does not eliminate transmittance of the beam of radiation in the spectral band.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: A device and method for selecting and stabilizing proper sites for the measurement of the concentration of an analyte, for example glucose, within the tissue of a subject or patient are disclosed. One embodiment of the device immobilizes the subject's forearm and finger, thereby stabilizing measurement sites thereon for exposure to a noninvasive monitor which captures analyte concentration data within the subject's skin. The method involves the choice of a location on the subject's body at which to take the analyte measurement, preferably based on the amount of time that has elapsed since the last time the subject ate.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for use with a noninvasive optical measurement system, such as a thermal gradient spectrometer, for improved determination of analyte concentrations within living tissue. In one embodiment, a wearable window is secured to a patient's forearm thereby isolating a measurement site on the patient's skin for determination of blood glucose levels. The wearable window effectively replaces a window of the spectrometer, and thus forms an interface between the patient's skin and a thermal mass window of the spectrometer. When the spectrometer must be temporarily removed from the patient's skin, such as to allow the patient mobility, the wearable window is left secured to the forearm so as to maintain a consistent measurement site on the skin. When the spectrometer is later reattached to the patient, the wearable window will again form an interface between the spectrometer and the same location of skin as before.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for use with a non-invasive optical measurement system, such as a thermal gradient spectrometer for improved determination of analyte concentrations within living tissue. In a preferred embodiment, a site selector is secured to a patient's forearm thereby isolating a measurement site on the patient's skin for determination of blood glucose levels. The site selector attaches to a thermal mass window of the spectrometer and thus forms an interface between the patient's skin and the thermal mass window. When the spectrometer must be temporarily removed from the patient's skin, such as to allow the patient mobility, the site selector is left secured to the forearm so as to maintain a consistent measurement site on the skin. When the spectrometer is later reattached to the patient, the site selector will again form an interface between the gradient spectrometer and the same location of skin as before.

Abstract: A glucose monitoring instrument having network-based communication features which provide a link between patient and practitioner. The glucose monitoring instrument comprises circuitry for communicating data with one or more destination sites on the network which are configured to transmit and receive information to and from the instrument. Instrument measurements are transmitted over the link in addition to information and guidance, to provide increased accuracy, improved program compliance, and patient guidance from a supervisory authority or medical practitioner. In addition, a set of calibration features encourage calibration compliance.

Abstract: A calibration standard for calibrating a thermal gradient spectrometer. The calibration standard is a structure having a particular glucose concentration which a thermal gradient spectrometer reads for determining whether the spectrometer is in calibration. The structure of the calibration standard properly mimics the physiology of human tissue. A number of such standards, each containing a different concentration of glucose are provided in kit form with a thermal gradient spectrometer for use in calibrating the spectrometer. The spectrometer is provided with a display and internal circuitry for performing self-calibrating adjustments and a communications port for electronically coupling to a remote computer and database for supplying external calibration commands to said spectrometer.

Abstract: A solid-state spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from human or animal tissue. The spectrometer includes an infrared transmissive thermal mass window for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, and a cooling element in operative combination with the thermal mass window for cooling the thermal mass window. Also provided is an infrared sensor for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions. A data capture element is provided for sampling the output signals received from the infrared sensor as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Abstract: A method of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced in the test sample and infrared radiation detectors measure radiation at selected analyte absorbance peak and reference wavelengths. Reference and analytical signals are detected. In the presence of the selected analyte, parameter differences between reference and analytical signals are detectable. These parameter differences, having a relationship to analyte concentration, are measured, correlated, and processed to determine analyte concentration in the test sample. Accuracy is enhanced by inducing a periodically modulated temperature gradient in the test sample. The analytical and reference signals may be measured continuously and the parameter difference integrated over the measurement period to determine analyte concentration.

Abstract: A disposable anti-fog airway adapter for use with a mainstream respiratory gas analyzer which provides a measurement of a patient's inhaled and exhaled gases. The airway adapter includes windows that are constructed of a thin, low heat capacity plastic that rapidly equilibrates to the temperature of the warm moist gases in the patient breathing circuit. In addition, the inside of the windows is also coated with an anti-fog surfactant either by laminating an anti-fog film with the window plastic prior to attaching the window to the airway adapter body or by first attaching the window to the airway adapter body and then applying the surfactant to the airway adapter after the window film is bonded in place so that the surfactant coats the entire inside of the adapter.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the concentration of an analyte such as oxygen in an unknown gas sample. A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is used as a variable wavelength light source which is "swept" through a wavelength range by varying the drive signal applied thereto. Quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the unknown gas sample is performed without the requirement of feedback circuitry for tuning the light source to the characteristic frequency of an analyte. Instead, the VCSEL is repeatedly "swept" through a range of frequencies determined by the drive signal, and the absorption is measured by the detector. The absorption lines do not always occur at the same place but instead move along around during the sweep based on the temperature and baseline current. The absorption at a particular wavelength may be determined by overlaying the drive signal and its timing information over the detected absorption signal.

Abstract: A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from human or animal tissue. The spectrometer includes an infrared transmissive thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, and cooling means in operative combination with the thermal mass for cooling the thermal mass. Also provided is an infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions. Data capture means is provided for sampling the output signals received from the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.