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 spectroscopic sample holder comprises a microporous sheet. The microporous sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and at least one side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The side surface forms an exposed transit opening configured to contact a material sample and distribute the contacted material sample into the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a first planar support member positioned on, and substantially parallel to, the top surface of the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a second planar support member positioned on the bottom surface of the microporous sheet, and oriented substantially parallel to the first planar support member.

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 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 and apparatus of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced into 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 sample.

Abstract: An analyte concentration monitoring system having network-based communication features which provide a link between an analyte detection system and a centralized computer. The analyte detection system has a processor that calculates analyte concentration in accordance with software executable by the processor. Under certain conditions, the software needs to be updated. Accordingly, when the analyte detection system is connected to the centralized computer, the centralized computer determines whether a software update is needed. If a software update is needed, then the centralized computer conveniently provides the software update to the analyte detection system without intervention from a user.

Abstract: An analyte detection system non-invasively determines the concentration of an analyte in a sample generating a sample infrared signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in the sample. The detection system includes a window assembly for receiving the sample infrared signal. The window assembly is adapted to allow the sample infrared signal to transmit therethrough, and generates a window infrared signal. The detection system further includes at least one detector configured to receive both the window infrared signal and the sample infrared signal transmitted through the window assembly. The detector is further adapted to generate a detector signal in response thereto. The detection system further includes a correction module configured to generate a corrected detector signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a user's Respiratory Quotient (RQ) using just measured O2 and CO2 concentrations without use of a flow meter. The RQ is determined by measuring the user's real-time inspired O2 concentration (INS O2) and end tidal O2 concentration (ETO2) and measuring the user's real-time inspired CO2 concentration (INS CO2) and end tidal CO2 concentration (ETCO2), and then determining the user's RQ from the measured INS O2, ETO2, INS CO2, and ETCO2 values in accordance with the following equation: RQ=(ETCO2?INS CO2)/(INS O2?ETO2). In order to avoid error introduced by the flow rate, the measurement steps are preferably performed while the user is in a resting condition. Also, ETCO2 is preferably measured as the maximum CO2 value in a breath cycle of the user, while INS CO2 is preferably measured as the minimum CO2 value in a breath cycle of the user.

Abstract: A method determines an analyte concentration in a sample including the analyte and a substance. The method includes providing an absorption spectrum of the sample. The absorption spectrum has an absorption baseline. The method further includes shifting the absorption spectrum so that the absorption baseline approximately equals a selected absorption value in a selected absorption wavelength range. The method further includes subtracting a substance contribution from the absorption spectrum. Thus, the method provides a corrected absorption spectrum substantially free of a contribution from the substance.

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 for determining analyte concentrations within a material sample are provided. A modulating temperature gradient is induced in the sample and resultant, emitted infrared radiation is measured at selected analyte absorbance peaks and reference wavelengths. The modulating temperature gradient is controlled by a surface temperature modulation. A transfer function relating the surface temperature modulation to a modulation of the measured infrared radiation is provided. 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 material sample. A method for adjusting an analyte measurement is provided. The method provides a hydration correction process for calibration and correction whereby analyte concentrations within the material sample may be determined.

Abstract: A method calibrates a monitor that comprises a non-invasive blood constituent monitor and a traditional measurement system. The non-invasive blood constituent monitor includes a thermal gradient inducing element an analyzer window. A traditional monitor output representing a property of a blood constituent is generated by the traditional measurement system. A non-invasive monitor output representing the property of the whole blood constituent is generated by the non-invasive constituent monitor. The traditional monitor output and the non-invasive monitor output are compared to estimate an amount of error. The non-invasive monitor output is corrected by the amount of error.

Abstract: An adapter presents a sample of bodily fluid, such as whole blood, including an analyte to an analyzer window of a non-invasive monitor. The adapter comprises a base material that comprises a first side and a second side. The adapter also comprises a sample accommodating volume extending between an opening in the second side of the base material and an opening in the first side of the base material.

Abstract: A solid-state device for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from sample tissue. The device includes an infrared transmissive layered window assembly, a means for inducing a thermal gradient in sample tissues. Also provided is an infrared radiation detector for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the sample tissues. The sensor provides output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions. A data capture means is provided for the sampling of output signals received from the infrared radiation detector as the induced temperature gradient progresses into the sample tissue.

Abstract: An analyte detection system includes a first wearable module, a detector, and a processor. The first wearable module has an optical input through which electromagnetic radiation may enter said first wearable module. The first wearable module is configured to be worn on and engage a living wearer's body such that electromagnetic radiation omitted by the body of the wearer can enter the first wearable module via the optical input. The detector is in optical communication with the optical input. The processor is in communication with the detector. The processor is configured to estimate the concentration of an analyte in the wearer's tissue based on the emitted electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An analyte detection system for analysis of a body fluid is provided, comprising an analysis portion and a sample collection portion which is configured to be removably coupled to the analysis portion. The analysis portion comprises a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and a source of electromagnetic radiation. The source is positioned with respect to the detector such that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source is received by the detector. The sample collection portion comprises a housing, a lance and a sample chamber. The lance is mounted within and moveable with respect to the housing. The sample chamber is configured to be positionable, upon coupling of the sample collection portion to the analysis portion, with respect to the source and detector such that at least a portion of any electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source passes through the sample chamber prior to being received by the detector.

Abstract: A reagentless whole-blood analyte detection system includes an infrared radiation source, a detector, and a sample element. The sample element includes an elongate member, a first sample cell wall, a second sample cell wall, a cover, and a sample supply passage. The first sample cell wall in part defines a first sample cell. The first and second sample cell walls comprise materials that transmits a substantial portion of radiation in a range of wavelengths between about 6 &mgr;m and about 12 &mgr;m. The cover at least partially defines at least one of the first sample cell and the second sample cell. The sample supply passage comprises a first branch and a second branch. The first branch of the sample supply passage extends from the opening to the first sample cell. The second branch of the sample supply passage extends from the first sample cell to the second sample cell.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sample holder comprises a microporous sheet. The microporous sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface, and at least one side surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The side surface forms an exposed transit opening configured to contact a material sample and distribute the contacted material sample into the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a first planar support member positioned on, and substantially parallel to, the top surface of the microporous sheet. The spectroscopic sample holder further comprises a second planar support member positioned on the bottom surface of the microporous sheet, and oriented substantially parallel to the first planar support member.

Abstract: An analyte concentration monitoring system having network-based communication features which provide a link between an analyte detection system and a centralized computer. The analyte detection system has a processor that calculates analyte concentration in accordance with software executable by the processor. Under certain conditions, the software needs to be updated. Accordingly, when the analyte detection system is connected to the centralized computer, the centralized computer determines whether a software update is needed. If a software update is needed, then the centralized computer conveniently provides the software update to the analyte detection system without intervention from a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining the analyte concentration of a test sample is described. A temperature gradient is introduced into 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 sample.