Abstract: A rapid near-infrared instrument for measuring constituents of nonhomogeneous samples is disclosed which alleviates the need for taking successive measurements of the sample, and repositioning the sample for each successive measurement, by providing a novel illumination system including a light pipe which transmits near-infrared energy to the sample at a plurality of substantially separate and independent location. This arrangement permits a plurality of subsample measurements to be taken simultaneously which enables accurate constituent measurements to be made quickly and easily.

Abstract: An improved near-infrared quantitative analysis instrument is disclosed comprising a removable finger insert which facilitates properly aligning and fitting and individual user's finger into the optical system of the analysis instrument. The finger insert according to the present invention also prevents the analysis instrument's optical system from being damaged by foreign matter typically introduced by a user's finger. The finger insert can also be provided with filters which will enable the insert to be used to as an optical standard for the analysis instrument.

Abstract: A near-infrared quantitative analysis instrument for measuring a constituent of a sample material is disclosed which effectively utilizes energy in the 1200 to 1800 nanometer wavelengths regions by isolating and employing harmonic wavelengths emitted by typical, low cost commercially available light emitting diodes (LEDs) or infrared emitting diodes (IREDs). The analysis instrument utilizes these very desirable wavelength regions for quantitative analysis measurements by interposing suitable narrow bandpass filters which permit passage of only the selected harmonic wavelengths.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for accurately providing general calibration of near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments for almost any individual user. The general calibration method comprises comparing an individual's near-infrared spectrum to a plurality of near-infrared spectral clusters. Each near-infrared spectral cluster has a set of calibration constants associated therewith. The calibration constants of the spectral cluster most closely associated with the individual spectra are used to custom calibrate the near-infrared analysis measurement instrument.

Abstract: A method and means for generating synthetic spectra allowing quantitative measurement utilizes dual chip alternatively energized IREDs with optical bandpass filter(s) passing two optical bands which could be combined with curvilinear interpolation to be utilized in a low cost small size quantitative measuring instrument.

Abstract: Near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments and methods non-invasively measure blood glucose by analyzing near-infrared energy following interactance with venous or arterial blood, or transmisison through a blood containing body part. The instruments and methods are accurate and readily lend themselves to at-home testing by diabetics.

Abstract: Near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments non-invasively measure blood glucose by analyzing near-infrared energy following interactance with venous or arterial blood, or transmission through a blood containing body part. A replaceable cartridge stores data unique to an individual patient/user. The analysis instruments are accurate and readily lend themselves to at-home testing by diabetics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for easily and reliably custom calibrating near-infrared quantitative analysis instruments including obtaining a plurality of blood samples and blood glucose level measurements thereof at a predetermined time interval. These values are entered into the analysis instrument. Near-infrared optical measurements of the individual are simultaneously taken using the analysis instrument at another predetermined time interval. Calibration regression analysis is performed on the data to custom calibrate the analysis instrument which involves linearly interpolating the blood sample glucose measurements with the near-infrared optical recordings.

Abstract: A near-infrared quantitative analysis instrument and method non-invasively measures blood glucose by analyzing near-infrared energy following interactance with venous or arterial blood, or transmission through a blood containing body part. The instrument and method is accurate and can readily be utilized for at-home testing by diabetics.

Abstract: A probe for near-infrared interactance quantitative analysis is calibrated by placing the near-infrared source and detector within a cavity of a calibrating sleeve. The cavity provides a reflectance value that corresponds to an interactance calibration value for which the probe is being calibrated.

Abstract: The invention provides for the elimination of error due to bias shift in near infrared instrumentation having a plurality of near infrared sources. It accomplishes this by comparing subsequent Optical Density readings of a calibration standard for each near infrared source with stored calibration standard readings for each near infrared source that were taken when the instrument was initially calibrated, and compensating for any bias shift accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a subsequent sample is substantially identical to an initial sample in a near infrared quantitative analysis instrument. An initial sample is measured for a plurality of characteristics which include the ambient temperature of the analysis instrument at the time of reading, the temperature of the sample itself, the optical energy level of the sample, the moisture content of the sample, and the percent protein of the sample. These characteristics are stored in a computer to provide a series of comparison criteria. A subsequent sample is then measured for the same characteristics as the initial sample and these characteristics are compared to the comparison criteria to determine if the subsequent sample is substantially identical to the previous sample.

Abstract: Method and simplified, lower cost apparatus for determining percent fat in a body wherein near-infrared radiation from at least one, and preferably a single pair of IREDs is transmitted into the body to achieve optical interactance between the body and the near-infrared radiation. Optical absorption by the body at only one bandwidth of the near-infrared radiation is measured. The measured absorption at the one bandwidth of near-infrared radiation is utilized to quantitatively determine the fat content of the body. Data on a plurality of physical parameters of the body, such as height, weight, exercise level, sex, race, waist-to-hip measurement and arm circumference, can be utilized along with the measured near-infrared absorption in the quantitative determination of body fat content. Advantageously, there is no need for labor-intensive factory calibration of each production unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting desired pieces of material from undesired material present in mixtures thereof. A piece of material from a mixture of pieces of desired and undesired materials is irradiated with a plurality of wavelengths of near-infrared radiation. The absorptions by the irradiated piece of near-infrared radiation energy is measured at a plurality of wavelengths. The measured absorptions are sequentially compared to a successive series of predetermined different absorption criteria in a predetermined order, which criteria distinguish the desired material from undesired material. If the piece fails any one criterion, it is rejected, whereas if the piece passes all criteria, it is accepted as a desired piece.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining percent fat in a body wherein substantially uniformly dispersed near-infrared radiation is transmitted into the body to achieve optical interactance between the body and the near-infrared radiation. Optical absorption by the body at only one wavelength of the near-infrared radiation is measured. The measured absorption at the one wavelength of near-infrared radiation is utilized to quantitatively determine the fat content of the body. Data on a plurality of physical parameters of the body, such as height, weight, exercise level, sex, race, waste-to-hip measurement and arm circumference, can be utilized along with the measured near-infrared absorption in the quantitative determination of body fat content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for near infrared reflectance measurement of non-homogeneous materials. Constituents of a material are quantitatively analyzed by reflectance techniques utilizing a planar surface of the material within a cup-shaped sample holder opaque to near-infrared radiation. A predetermined area of the planar surface is uniformly irradiated with near infrared radiation emitted from a source spaced a predetermined distance away from the planar surface. Near infrared radiation reflected by substantially all of the predetermined surface area is detected with a near infrared radiation detector spaced a predetermined distance away from the planar surface, to provide a signal which is processed to measure an average content of a constituent in the sample material. The source and detector are contained in a probe which is calibrated by inserting the probe into a cavity.

Abstract: A light barrier and probe location device are disclosed for use with a near infrared interactance probe for measuring body composition on the upper arm of an individual while allowing the individual to conduct his/her own test at the same position on the arm each time and excluding ambient light. The device includes a piece of opaque material having an opening for the light probe, a probe location member removably attached to the material to position the light probe location opening and fastening means for attaching the opaque material around the arm of an individual after the probe location member locates the appropriate opening position to allow the individual to conduct his/her own test on him/herself.

Abstract: A fixed stable standard for near-infrared reflectance measurement is provided by using a sample holder having an IR-quartz window and a measured amount of PTFE powder pressed directly thereagainst so that the PTFE powder has a fixed density providing a permanent reflectance standard protected by the window, and a method of making the standard is also provided.

Abstract: A near-infrared quantitative measurement instrument allows measurement in either reflectance or transmission modes depending upon a sample holder which is loaded in a sample chamber. The instrument has means for detecting in both the reflectance mode and the transmission mode, and the particular sample holder used determines in which mode the measurement is made.

Abstract: Near infrared instrument for measuring constituents such as moisture, protein and oil in materials has a movable sample holder of predetermined thickness depending upon the particular material being measured. The sample holder is moved past a source of near infrared radiation and detector by a mechanical drive.