Abstract: Sensors (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) and a method for detecting an analyte are described. Sensors (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) each have a volume of a hydrophilic medium (24) that retains an amount of analyte proportionate to the concentration of analyte in a biological fluid, electrodes (12) and a redox enzyme in contact with medium (24), and an electron transfer mediator. The fluid contacts sensors (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) and at initially predetermined intervals intermittently applies a potential to electrode (12) sufficient to oxidize the mediator and sensing current through electrode (12) as a function of the duration of the applied potential. The applied mediator oxidizing applied potential is maintained for a period of time sufficient to determine the rate of change of current with time through electrode (12). The current flow is correlated with the current flow for known concentrations of the analyte in medium (24).

Abstract: Assembly and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological matrix. The assembly includes an implantable optical-sensing element that comprises a body, and a membrane mounted on the body in a manner such that the membrane and the body define a cavity. The membrane is permeable to the analyte, but is impermeable to background species in the biological matrix. A refractive, element is positioned in the cavity. A light source transmits light of a first intensity onto the refractive element, and a light detector receives light of a second intensity that is reflected from the cavity. A controller device optically coupled to the detector compares the first and second light intensities, and relates the intensities to analyte concentration.

Abstract: Assembly and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological matrix. The assembly includes an implantable optical-sensing element that comprises a body, and a membrane mounted on the body in a manner such that the membrane and the body define a cavity. The membrane is permeable to the analyte, but is impermeable to background species in the biological matrix. A refractive element is positioned in the cavity. A light source transmits light of a first intensity onto the refractive element, and a light detector receives light of a second intensity that is reflected from the cavity. A controller device optically coupled to the detector compares the first and second light intensities, and relates the intensities to analyte concentration.

Abstract: Assembly and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological matrix. The assembly includes an implantable optical-sensing element that comprises a body, and a membrane mounted on the body in a manner such that the membrane and the body define a cavity. The membrane is permeable to the analyte, but is impermeable to background species in the biological matrix. A refractive element is positioned in the cavity. A light source transmits light of a first intensity onto the refractive element, and a light detector receives light of a second intensity that is reflected from the cavity. A controller device optically coupled to the detector compares the first and second light intensities, and relates the intensities to analyte concentration.

Abstract: Sensors and a method for detecting an analyte are described. Sensors each have a volume of a hydrophilic medium that retains an amount of analyte proportionate to the concentration of analyte in a biological fluid, electrodes and a redox enzyme in contact with medium, and an electron transfer mediator. The fluid contacts sensors and at initially predetermined intervals intermittently applies a potential to electrode sufficient to oxidize the mediator and sensing current through electrode as a function of the duration of the applied potential. The applied mediator oxidizing applied potential is maintained for a period of time sufficient to determine the rate of change of current with time through electrode. The current flow is correlated with the current flow for known concentrations of the analyte in medium.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus is provided that in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber, a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and a light source positioned in the chamber. The light source is formed to emit a light beam of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus is provided that in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber, a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and a light source positioned in the chamber. The light source is formed to emit a light beam of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision.

Abstract: Assembly and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological matrix. The assembly includes an implantable optical-sensing element that comprises a body, and a membrane mounted on the body in a manner such that the membrane and the body define a cavity. The membrane is permeable to the analyte, but is impermeable to background species in the biological matrix. A refractive element is positioned in the cavity. A light source transmits light of a first intensity onto the refractive element, and a light detector receives light of a second intensity that is reflected from the cavity. A controller device optically coupled to the detector compares the first and second light intensities, and relates the intensities to analyte concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for in vivo detection of the direction of Langer's lines in the skin. Light is irradiated into the skin as primary light at one defined site (7) identified through the epidermis (6) in such a way that it is transported in the skin (5) by scattering or absorption, while part of said irradiated light emerges from the skin as secondary light in the region surrounding the irradiated site. An amplitude-dependent property of secondary light emerging from the skin (5) around the irradiated site is measured in order to determine the preferential direction of the diffuse light transport in the skin (5) and, consequently, determine the orientation of Langer's lines thereof.

Abstract: A system (10) for subscription monitoring of a medically significant characteristic of a bodily fluid which includes a meter (12), a ROM circuit (36), a test strip (34), and a registry (50). Meter (12) has an identifier corresponding to a subscription user. ROM circuit (36) is provided with test strips (34), and contains calibration data and an identifier. The meter (12) requires an activation code before it may conduct a biosensing test. The meter (12) communicates with registry (50) through communication means (40) and provides the meter identifier and ROM circuit identifier. Registry (50) checks for valid association of the meter identifier, ROM circuit identifier, and user identifier. If a valid association is established, the registry (50) provides an activation code to the meter (12), enabling meter (12) to conduct testing during a subscription period.

Abstract: An implantable analyte sensor includes a substrate, electrodes on the substrate, and a membrane on the electrodes. The membrane can comprise elemental silicon and has a glucose diffusion test result of at least 1 mg/dl in 330 min., and an albumin diffusion test result of at most 0.1 g/dl in 420 min.

Abstract: Apparatus for the optical characterization of the internal structure and/or composition of a spatially extended, scattering sample comprising an arrangement of one or several light sources and one or several light detectors and a displacement sensor.

Abstract: Method for determining an analyte in a scattering matrix. In a detection step detection measurements are made in which light is irradiated into the matrix as primary light and light leaving the scattering matrix is detected as secondary light, in order to determine as a measurement quantity a measurable physical property of the light which is variable due to the interaction of the light with the matrix. Information on the presence of the analyte in the matrix is determined in an evaluation step. The determination of optically weakly absorbing analytes against a strongly absorbing interference background is improved by the use of two selection methods for the depth selective detection of the secondary light in combination with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for light transport measurements on a test object with a measuring head which includes a contact surface for placing against an interface of the test object, light irradiation device with a light transmitter for irradiating light through the contact surface and an interface into the test object, and detection device with a light receiver for detecting light leaving the test object. The contact surface comprises at least one optically transparent light passage point for the light, on which a large number of rigid light-conducting elements are arranged, wherein an optical connection with a light transmitter or light receiver assigned to a light passage point is produced by the whole of the light-conducting elements of the light passage site.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining analytical data concerning the inside of a scattering matrix, in particular of a biological sample. In a detection step detection measurements are carried out in which light is irradiated into the matrix as primary light at an irradiation site (12) through an interface bounding the scattering matrix (6) and light emerging out of the scattering matrix through the interface is detected as secondary light at a detection site (13) at a predetermined measuring distance from the irradiation site, in order to determine as a measurement variable a measurable physical property of the light which varies due to the interaction of the light with the scattering matrix, which measurement variable is a measure of the analytical data to be determined. In an evaluation step the analytical data are determined on the basis of the measurement variable measured in the detection step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analytical determination of a concentration of an analyte in a biological sample include a series of hardware elements and method steps which perform at least two detection measurements, with each detection measurement including the step of irradiating light at an irradiation site as primary light into the biological sample through a boundary surface. The light is propagated along a light path, and light is detected as it emerges from the biological sample as secondary light through a detection site. The irradiation site and detection site are separated by a measuring distance. At least two detection measurements are performed with at least two different measurement light paths between the irradiation site and the detection site.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for investigating a scattering medium, especially a biological matrix, with intensity-modulated light.

Abstract: A method for the analytical determination of the glucose concentration in a biological sample. In a detection step, light is irradiated into the sample and the light emerging therefrom after interaction with the sample emerges therefrom is detected in order to measure a physical light property affected by said interaction. The glucose concentration is determined from this measurement in an evaluation step. To provide a method for determining glucose in reagent-free and non-invasive manner, the invention proposes that a portion of the light emitted by the light source be guided along a reference light path of defined optical path length to the photodetector, that the total measuring light path also has a defined optical length and that the measuring light path after it has traversed the sample is so combined with the reference light path that the measuring light and the reference light interfere with each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the analytical determination of glucose concentration in a biological matrix, wherein in a detection step light from a light emitter is irradiated into the biological matrix as primary light via a boundary surface of the biological matrix and light emerging from the the biological matrix through a boundary surface is being detected by a light detector in order to determine a measurable physical light property which is changed by interaction with the biological matrix and which correlates with the glucose concentration of said matrix. The glucose concentration is ascertained in an evaluation step on the basis of said change of the physical light property determined in at least one detection step in comparison with a calibration.