Abstract: A system and method for determining a duration that a patient has been experiencing a medical condition compares characteristics of fluorescent emissions from a target tissue to expected characteristics. In a system and method embodying the invention, a target tissue is illuminated with excitation light, and fluorescent emissions generated by the target tissue in response to the excitation light are detected. Different characteristics of the fluorescent emissions, including the fluorescent emission intensity or the fluorescent lifetime may be determined. The determined characteristics of the detected fluorescent emissions are then compared to expected characteristics of the fluorescent emissions. The amount that the detected fluorescent characteristics deviate from the expected fluorescent characteristics is used to determine a duration that a patient has been experiencing a medical condition. In some instances, the backscattered portions of the excitation light may also be used to make the determination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method embodying the invention include utilizing a device intended to be inserted into a patient's body to determine a characteristic of a target tissue. In one apparatus and method, a device illuminates the target tissue with amplitude modulated excitation electromagnetic radiation, and the device senses a returned electromagnetic radiation. A phase shift between the excitation and return electromagnetic radiation is determined, and the phase shift is used to determine characteristics of the target tissue. A demodulation factor, representing ratios of the AC and DC components of the excitation and return electromagnetic radiation may also be calculated and used to determine characteristics of the target tissue. In another apparatus and method embodying the invention, a device illuminates a target tissue with polarized electromagnetic radiation, and a return electromagnetic radiation is sensed.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a measurement instrument prior to making a measurement on a material or tissue includes utilizing a removable calibration device to calibrate the instrument, then removing a target portion of the calibration device so that a measurement may be performed. The calibration device may include an index matching agent, such as a gel, that is to be interposed between the patient's skin and an output end of the measuring instrument. A method embodying the invention may include making a bilirubin concentration measurement on a skin of a patient by measuring the amplitude of light reflected from the patient's skin at first and second wavelengths indicative of a blood content of the patient's skin, and measuring the amplitude of reflected light at a third wavelength indicative of an uncorrected bilirubin concentration, then calculating a corrected bilirubin concentration based on the three measurements.

Abstract: A fluid jet blood sampling system and method for obtaining a blood sample from a mammal, utilizes a fluid jet from a disposable jet nozzle to perforate at least the epidermis of the skin and to break at least one blood vessel, thereby allowing a quantity of blood to accumulate on the skin surface of the mammal. A cowling prevents contamination of the local environment with excess fluid, blood, etc. A drying unit may be provided to remove excess fluid, blood, etc. from the skin within the cowling. A sample of blood may be transferred to a test strip, or a collection unit may be used to collect and contain a blood sample from the mammal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for electroporating tissue. At least one micropore is formed to a predetermined depth through a surface of the tissue, and electrical voltage is applied between an electrode electrically coupled to the micropore and another electrode spaced therefrom. By applying electroporation to tissue that has been breached by a micropore, the electroporation effects can be targeted at tissue structures beneath the surface, such as capillaries, to greatly enhance the withdrawal of biological fluid, and the delivery for uptake of compounds into the tissue. In a preferred embodiment, a device is provided having elements that are suitable for microporating the tissue and which serve as the electroporation electrodes.

Abstract: A combined infection shield and calibration or reference target for use with a measuring instrument includes a removable calibration/reference layer. The removable calibration/reference layer has predetermined optical characteristics that can be utilized to calibrate or reference the instrument. The calibration/reference layer may have predetermined reflectance or scattering properties, a predetermined transmissivity to light, or it may have predetermined fluorescence properties. When the calibration/reference layer is removed from the remaining portions of the device, the portion of the calibration/reference layer having the predetermined optical characteristics is irrevocably altered such that the calibration/reference layer cannot be reused. The combined infection shield and target may be attached to a shield holder, which in turn is attached to an instrument. Alternatively, the infection shield and target may be attached directly to an instrument.

Abstract: A combined infection shield and calibration or reference target for use with a measuring instrument includes a removable calibration/reference layer. The removable calibration/reference layer has predetermined optical characteristics that can be utilized to calibrate or reference the instrument. When the calibration/reference layer is removed from the remaining portions of the device, the portion of the calibration/reference layer having the predetermined optical characteristics is irrevocably altered such that the calibration/reference layer cannot be reused. The combined infection shield and target may be attached to a shield holder, which in turn is attached to an instrument. Alternatively, the infection shield and target may be attached directly to an instrument. The target may include a calibration/reference layer having a reduced strength portion which causes the target to tear or separate in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A disposable calibration device is used to calibrate a measurement system which transmits radiation or acoustic waves to a material or tissue in order to effect measurements. The disposable calibration device includes a structure with a window through which the radiation or acoustic waves can be transmitted, as well as a removable calibration target arranged on the window and capable of returning a portion of the radiation or acoustic waves for calibrating the measurement system. The removable calibration target can be peeled from window to allow a measurement to be made on the material or tissue. Once a measurement is complete, the disposable calibration device can be discarded and a new calibration device can be inserted on the measuring system.

Abstract: A disposable calibration device is used to calibrate a spectroscopic measurement system which transmits radiation to a material or tissue in order to effect measurements such as bilirubin measurements. The disposable calibration device includes a structure with a window through which radiation can be transmitted, as well as a removable calibration target arranged on the window and capable of returning a portion of the radiation for calibrating the spectrometer system. The removable calibration target can be peeled of the window to allow a measurement to be made on the material or tissue. Once a measurement is complete, the disposable calibration device can be discarded and a new calibration device can be inserted on the spectroscopic system.