Abstract: A volume diffraction grating having a substrate and an optically active layer has a structure formed in the optically active layer. The structure is operational to diffract optical signals in two selected spectral bands. The grating may be formed in a high dispersion embodiment suitable for separating individual signals from composite signals of both spectral bands. Alternatively, the grating may be formed in a low dispersion version which can separate the composite signals from each other. In another embodiment, a second structure is formed in the optically active layer. Each of the structures is configured to be operational in one of the spectral bands, allowing signals in each band to be diffracted independently of one another. In another embodiment, the structure(s) may have a curved profile allowing the diffracted beams to be shaped or focused without the need for external lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for enhancing the system response of a photodetector array based spectrometer. For a spectrometer with a given system response curve, secondary light sources are provided to improve the system response in the spectral ranges where the dynamic range is less than at the peak of the curve. In one embodiment, multiple light sources can be combined by means of multiple branches of fibre optic bundles. The secondary light sources may be used in combination with suitable shaping filters and/or masks to further flatten the system response.

Abstract: Described is a method which uses spectral data simultaneously collected in a continuous array of discrete wavelength points of the visible spectrum adjacent to the infrared and near infrared part of the light spectrum. The spectral data is collected using a number of detectors with different sensitivity ranges. Some detectors may be sensitive to visible and possibly, to part of the near infrared portion of radiation. Spectral data from die infrared spectrum is collected with the infrared detectors, and are in some embodiments insensitive to the visible links.

Abstract: Described is a method for measuring the concentration of a blood constituent within a body part (80) of a living subject which comprises irradiating a body part of the subject with a continuum of a broad spectrum of radiation in adjacent and near infrared range of the electomagnetic spectrum; collecting the band of radiation after the radiation has been directed onto the part; dispersing the continuum of collected radiation into a dispersed spectrum of component wavelengths onto a detector (120) the detector taking measurements of at least one of transmitted or reflected radiation from the collected radiation; and transferring the measurements to a processor (300), and then measuring the same kind of absorbance or reflectance with respect to one or more a discrete wavelengths of radiation from the longer near infrared range and using the measurements to calculate the concentration of the constituent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating the wavelength of a target instrument, based on a calibration model developed for a primary instrument. The method comprises: (a) obtaining a reference set of at least two wavelength calibration parameters for the primary instrument; (b) obtaining a target set of at least two corresponding wavelength calibration parameters for the target instrument; (c) measuring a reference spectral response of a sample with the primary instrument; (d) measuring a target spectral response of the sample with the target instrument; (e) iteratively adjusting the target set of wavelength calibration parameters; (f) for each target set of wavelength calibration parameters, determining spectral residuals corresponding to that target set; and (g) selecting an optimum set of wavelength calibration parameters based on the spectral residuals for each target set of wavelength calibration parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally stable reference member comprising, at least one radiation attenuating element and at least one radiation scattering element. The radiation attenuating element comprising at least one aperture for transmission of radiation therethrough. The attenuating and scattering elements placed in series so that radiation transmitted through the reference member passes through each of the attenuating and scattering elements. The attenuating and scattering elements of the reference member may further comprise a thermally stable mount to hold the elements in a selected position relative to each other, and in relation to an instrument, or the elements may be bonded together.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial member (80, 210) which mimics the absorbance spectrum of a body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes. The artificial member comprises a light scattering and reflecting material, and has a chamber portion comprising one or more chambers (90, 100, 220). The artificial member is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor which receptor is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photometric reference member comprising PTFE and glass. The member exhibits an absorbance change of less than 0.0001 absorbance units per degree C. over a range of temperatures, preferably from about 20° C. to about 40° C., and over wavelengths from about 600 nm to about 1650 nm, preferably about 600 nm to about 1050 nm. The invention also pertains to methods of using the photometric reference member to correct for temperature variations or drift in absorbance measurements.

Abstract: An artificial member that mimics the absorbance spectrum of an animal body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes is disclosed. The artificial member is made of a light scattering and reflecting material and is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor that is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of building instrument variation tolerance into calibration algorithms for spectroscopic devices for chemical composition analysis with spectroscopic methods. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for blood glucose, cholesterol and other chemical components prediction based on near-infrared spectrophotometry measurements. A method includes developing a calibration algorithm on a first instrument; applying the calibration algorithm to a second instrument; calibrating the second instrument and adjusting the calibration algorithm to account for differences between the first instrument and the second instrument; and repeating the step of applying (above) in respect of (n) further instruments to provide a calibration algorithm which may then be used on other instruments.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for determining a diabetic patient's compliance with their insulin dosing regime. The method and apparatus involves taking a blood sample from a patient by a routine finger prick and placing it in a special sample tab which is placed in a spectrophotometer sample housing. The spectrophotometer measures Hb and HbA1c concentrations and allows for calculating a ratio of HbA1c to Hb which is indicative of the degree of patient compliance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in respect of samples which are assessed for quality prior to testing in a clinical analyzer. The method and apparatus identify parameters such as gel level and height of fluid above the gel in blood samples, where appropriate, for the purposes of positioning the specimen for determination of interferents. Such interferents include hemoglobin (Hb), total bilirubin and lipids. These interferents are determined by measurement of absorption of different wavelengths of light in serum or plasma, or other speciments, which are then compared with values obtained through calibration using reference measurements for the respective interferents in serum or plasma or other type of specimen. Determination of temperature of the specimen, as well as specimen type, for example whether the specimen is urine or plasma or serum, may also be carried out.

Abstract: An artificial member that mimics the absorbance spectrum of an animal body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes is disclosed. The artificial member is made of a light scattering and reflecting material and is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor that is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of dispensing tips comprising, a first dispensing tip comprising a lumen and a sealable lower end, and a second dispensing tip, wherein the second dispensing tip is sized to enter the lumen of the first dispensing tip. The first and second dispensing tips can connect to separate dispensing stems, as part of a chemistry analyzer. The first dispensing tip may be used as a cuvette, a reservoir, a reaction chamber, an incubation chamber, or dilution chamber. Also provides is a method for sample, handling comprising, aspirating the sample within a first dispensing tip, sealing a lower end of the first dispensing tip to produce a sealed dispensing tip, inserting a second dispensing tip within the sealed dispensing tip, and either reaspirating the sample, dispensing one or more fluids, or both, within the sealed dispending tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a non-destructive pre-test screen of specimen integrity for a blood analyzer by measurement of absorbance or reflectance is provided. The method involves measurement of polychromatic light in the near infrared and adjacent visible region, which is either transmitted or reflected from a specimen as presented for measurement, and correlation of the measurement, on the basis of predetermined algorithms, to the quantity of a known substance contained in the sample. The apparatus employs a spectrophotometer which emits radiation which is split into a beam which passes to a sample and a reference beam, the beam returning from the sample and the reference beam are variably combined and further separated into various components by means of a grating and focused onto a linear array detector. A microprocessor receives output from the array detector and performs calculations of concentration(s) of the known substance(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method whereby plasma integrity of plasma contained in a blood bag is rapidly and accurately assessed without compromising the sterility of the plasma, or destroying any of its components. This is achieved through spectral data which is used in a novel way so as to determine if a plasma specimen representative of plasma in a blood bag contains interferents and if so, to what extent. The apparatus and method analyse plasma contained in two bags whereby tubing connects the two bags. A lamp is used to irradiate the specimen, and a spectrophotometer is used to measure radiation from the specimen. The apparatus and method allow for determination where both the bags and tubings are translucent and contain writing on their surfaces (e.g., proprietary information), and the light is transmitted through the writings, plastic, and the plasma contained in the bag or tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in respect of samples which are assessed for quality prior to testing in a clinical analyzer. The method and apparatus identify parameters such as gel level and height of fluid above the gel in blood samples, where appropriate, for the purposes of positioning the specimen for determination of interferents. Such interferents include hemoglobin (Hb), total bilirubin and lipids. These interferents are determined by measurement of absorption of different wavelengths of light in serum or plasma, or other specimens, which are then compared with values obtained through calibration using reference measurements for the respective interferents in serum or plasma or other type of specimen. Determinations of temperature of the specimen, as well as specimen type, for example whether the specimen is urine or plasma or serum, may also be carried out.

Abstract: A method which provides a quick simple means of assessing plasma or serum specimen integrity with respect to bile pigments is described. Application of the method simultaneously screens serum or plasma specimens for elevated levels of bilirubin (BR) and biliverdin (BV) by providing a measure of these interferents known as the bilirubin-biliverdin index or BBI. The method involves determination of concentrations of BV in a plasma or serum specimen, based on the results of spectrophotometric determinations of absorbance or reflectance measurements conducted in the near infrared region, and thereby a determination of the BBI in respect of the specimen and on the basis of the resulting BBI a decision as to acceptance or rejection of the sample.

Abstract: A finger receptor is used with a non-invasive monitoring device to determine non-invasively the concentration of known constituents in blood or tissue. The receptor has a channel for receiving a finger of a user. The channel has a light entrance and a light exit so that light can be passed from a light source through a finger located in the channel in a direction generally normal to the finger. Extraneous light is excluded and the finger is held in position by a spring-mounted roller. The receptor has sensing means to determine when a finger has been properly positioned in the channel. Previous devices are not capable of achieving repeatable results to a sufficient degree to replace invasive methods of testing.

Abstract: A non-invasive device and method for monitoring concentration levels of blood and tissue constituents within a living subject such as a human or animal utilizes a polychromatic light source that emits light over a broad spectrum of wavelengths in the near infrared range. The light is passed through, or reflected from, a part of the subject such as a finger, ear lobe or other part of the body. That light is then separated into its various components by means of a grating or prism, and the near infrared band is focussed onto a linear array detector. A microprocessor uses the output of the array detector to measure the light transmitted (T), calculate the absorbance (log 1/T) and calculate the second derivative of the absorbance. A calibration equation is used for each constituent to be monitored to convert the second derivative measurements to a concentration level for that constituent. The device is programmed to take measurements between heart beats and to adjust for the temperature of the sample being taken.