Abstract: A device for analyzing the material composition of an object via plasma spectrum analysis, using a self-calibrating spectrometer, may include a laser assembly configured to emit a beam for sample plasma excitation, an optical assembly configured to direct the laser beam towards the target, and to collect the plasma light and guide it to the spectrometer sensor for target's plasma spectrum analysis, and a calibration light source configured to emit light with discrete and stable spectral lines. The calibration light source is preferably incorporated in the optical assembly. The optical assembly is configured to provide a primary optical path and a secondary optical path; the primary optical path directs light emitted from a plasma to the spectrometer, the secondary optical path directs light from the calibration light source to the spectrometer. The device may also include a housing that substantially encloses the laser assembly and the optical assembly.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for estimating a concentration of a target analyte in a sample comprises generating a first and second (reference) radiation, a principal radiation and a target analyte carrier detection radiation; directing the first, second, principal and the target analyte carrier detection radiations at the sample which includes the target analyte; and detecting a first, second, principal and target analyte carrier detection amount of the radiation that leaves the sample. The method further comprises modulating the sample thickness in order to achieve time-wise or spatial target analyte concentration variation within the sample.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for estimating a concentration of a target analyte in a sample comprises generating a first and second (reference) radiation, a principal radiation and a target analyte carrier detection radiation; directing the first, second, principal and the target analyte carrier detection radiations at the sample which includes the target analyte; and detecting a first, second, principal and target analyte carrier detection amount of the radiation that leaves the sample. The method further comprises modulating the sample thickness in order to achieve time-wise or spatial target analyte concentration variation within the sample.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for estimating a concentration of a target analyte in a sample comprises generating a first and second (reference) radiation, a principal radiation and a target analyte carrier detection radiation; directing the first, second, principal and the target analyte carrier detection radiations at the sample which includes the target analyte; and detecting a first, second, principal and target analyte carrier detection amount of the radiation that leaves the sample. The method further comprises modulating the sample thickness in order to achieve time-wise or spatial target analyte concentration variation within the sample.

Abstract: A method may include directing a radiation beam at a sample, the beam including two periods of radiation having different wavelengths, an analyte in a fluid within the sample having different absorption coefficients for the two different wavelengths, detecting the beam with a detector when the sample is in a first fluid state, the detector configured to generate an output signal proportional to an intensity of the beam at each of the two different wavelengths, detecting the beam with the detector when the sample is in a second fluid state, the sample transitioning from the first fluid state to the second fluid state by a pulsation of the sample, obtaining estimates of an amount of fluid at the first and second fluid states, and determining an analyte concentration estimate based on the output signal and the estimate of the amount of fluid at the first and second fluid states.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for noninvasively measuring the concentration of a target analyte in a sample matrix using a fiberless transflectance probe is described. It includes directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of at least two components of different wavelengths, to the sample matrix and conducting the backscattered radiation to a detector which outputs a signal indicative of the differential absorption of the two wavelengths in the sample matrix. The transflectance probe comprises a tapered tubular housing having an inner reflective surface, an optical rod having an outer reflective surface, and a detection window which serves as an interface between the probe and the surface of the sample matrix. The method and apparatus described are particularly useful in measuring the concentration of glucose in tissue containing blood.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for noninvasively measuring the concentration of a target analyte in a sample matrix using a fiberless transflectance probe is described. It includes directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of at least two components of different wavelengths, to the sample matrix and conducting the backscattered radiation to a detector which outputs a signal indicative of the differential absorption of the two wavelengths in the sample matrix. The transflectance probe comprises a tapered tubular housing having an inner reflective surface, an optical rod having an outer reflective surface, and a detection window which serves as an interface between the probe and the surface of the sample matrix. The method and apparatus described are particularly useful in measuring the concentration of glucose in tissue containing blood.

Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, having time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, where at least one of the time-multiplexed components consists of two different simultaneous wavelengths through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation of the time-multiplexed components at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, varying the total amount of target analyte in the sample, and the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states may be produced by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The method is useful in measuring the concentration of a target analyte, such as glucose, in tissue containing blood.

Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, where at least one of the time-multiplexed components consists of two different simultaneous wavelengths, whose intensity relation defines the effective wavelength of their combination, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation of the time-multiplexed components at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample.

Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.

Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.

Abstract: A pH-measuring method and device for monitoring and then correcting for electrode drift is provided. The device includes a pH-measuring electrode and more than one reference electrode. During operation, the pH-measuring device is place in contact with a sample. The pH value measured at each electrode pair is due to the electrical potential difference between the pH electrode and the reference electrode. The maximum and minimum pH values are determined, and then the remaining pH values are averaged together to generate an overall average pH. The maximum and minimum pH values are subtracted from the average pH to generate a difference which is then compared to a user-defined drift level to determine if a particular electrode is deficient. The pH values from deficient electrodes are not considered when the overall pH of the sample is determined.