Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive detection and quantitation of analytes in a sample, such as blood glucose employs a novel amplifier that uses high-gauss permanent magnets to permit an Rf signal to be transmitted through the sample. The concentration of the analyte can be determined from the magnitude of the reduction in the amplitude of the Rf signal at a characteristic frequency.

Abstract: A method of and a system for using electromagnetic frequency response to identify an unknown individual or authenticate the identity of an individual transmits an electromagnetic signal into a body part of the individual is positioned in a magnetic field. An electromagnetic signal is received from the body part and captured. The frequency spectrum of the captured electromagnetic signal is analyzed to identify, or authenticate the identity of, the individual. Identification is performed by comparing the captured frequency spectrum, or characteristics extracted from the captured frequency spectrum, of the unknown individual to those of known individuals. Authentication is performed by comparing the captured frequency spectrum, or characteristics extracted from the captured frequency spectrum, of an individual to the authentic frequency spectrum, or characteristics extracted from the authentic frequency spectrum, of the individual.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive detection and quantitation of analytes in a sample, such as blood glucose, employs a novel amplifier that uses high-gauss permanent magnets to permit an Rf signal to be transmitted through the sample. The concentration of the analyte can be determined from the magnitude of the reduction in the amplitude of the Rf signal at a characteristic frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for non-invasive detection and quantitation of analytes in a sample, such as blood glucose. The apparatus employs a novel amplifier that uses high-gauss permanent magnets (12, 14) to permit an Rf signal to be transmitted through the sample (116). The concentration of the analyte can be determined from the magnitude of the reduction in the amplitude of the Rf signal at a characteristic frequency.

Abstract: Concentration of a target chemical in the presence of other substances in a specimen is determined by subjecting the specimen to radio frequency electromagnetic components, sequentially or otherwise, ranging to about 5 GHz. The reflected and/or transmitted signal real and imaginary components at the specimen are spectrally examined as a function of frequency to identify the presence and/or concentration of the chemical of interest. Such examination includes analysis of the effective complex impedance presented by the specimen, and/or effective phase shift between the transmitted and reflected signal at the specimen. The effects upon glucose concentration measurements of varying electrolytes, primarily NaCl, can be nulled-out by examining impedance magnitude at a cross-over frequency, for example about 2.5 GHz. NaCl concentration exhibits a very linear relationship with phase shift change at frequencies in the 2 GHz-3 GHz range.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for accurately determining settling data for the settling of erythrocyte cells from a plasma fluid in a test specimen of blood. The apparatus includes a settling tube, a sensing assembly movably mounted proximate the settling tube. Preferably an infrared emitter and detector are provided in the sensing assembly, and a control assembly is provided which senses data at a high rate and is responsive to the sensed data to sample or store the time at which sensed reflectivity exceeds a threshold level. When the threshold is reached, data is sampled and the tracking head is moved by a very small step. This process is repeated to enable tracking of the descent of the separation boundary between the erythrocyte cells and plasma fluid. The apparatus senses changes in reflectivity of the erythrocyte portion of the specimen below and up to the separation boundary.

Abstract: A source of high frequency electromagnetic radiation is coupled to a specimen containing a target chemical whose presence and/or concentration is to be ascertained. Preferably the source radiation includes a plurality of high frequency spectra, at least one of which encourages energy transfer with the chemical of interest. The source radiation is coupled to the specimen via a probe pair that is also used to access a return signal representing an interaction between the source signal and the specimen. The return signal is processed to yield a spectral signature correlating to the target chemical and/or its concentration. Preferably signal processing compares frequency spectra within the source signal to spectra within a sampled return signal. The sampled return signal is a signal obtained by sampling a return signal at the probe pair and by sampling the response to the source signal of a circuit that electrically approximates the specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for accurately determining settling data for the settling of erythrocyte cells from a plasma fluid in a test specimen of blood. The apparatus includes a settling tube, a sensing assembly movably mounted proximate the settling tube. Preferably an infrared emitter and detector are provided in the sensing assembly, and a control assembly is provided which senses data at a high rate and is responsive to the sensed data to sample or store the time at which sensed reflectivity exceeds a threshold level. When the threshold is reached, data is sampled and the tracking head is moved by a very small step. This process is repeated to enable tracking of the descent of the separation boundary between the erythrocyte cells and plasma fluid. The apparatus senses changes in reflectivity of the erythrocyte portion of the specimen below and up to the separation boundary.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for accurately determining settling data for the settling of erythrocyte cells from a plasma fluid in a test specimen of blood. The apparatus includes a settling tube, a sensing assembly movably mounted proximate the settling tube. Preferably an infrared emitter and detector are provided in the sensing assembly, and a control assembly is provided which senses data at a high rate and is responsive to the sensed data to sample or store the time at which sensed reflectivity exceeds a threshold level. When the threshold is reached, data is sampled and the tracking head is moved by a very small step. This process is repeated to enable tracking of the descent of the separation boundary between the erythrocyte cells and plasma fluid. The apparatus senses changes in reflectivity of the erythrocyte portion of the specimen below and up to the separation boundary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of a chemical substance in a test sample based on a technique of waveform distortion analysis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a waveform generator that generates a periodic electromagnetic signal having a plurality of frequencies simultaneously present. Preferably the signal has a fundamental frequency and simultaneously present harmonic frequencies which shape the waveform. The shaped periodic signal is transmitted through the test sample by a probe assembly which also receives the transmitted signal from the test sample. Propagation of the shaped signal through the test sample results in a change in the waveform shape or distortion by the chemical, and a detector circuit is provided that quantifies the change in shape of the signal to determine the concentration of the chemical in the test sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of a chemical substance in a test sample based on a technique of waveform distortion analysis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a waveform generator that generates a periodic signal, an antenna probe that transmits the signal into the test sample and receives from the test sample a corresponding periodic signal, the waveform of which has been distorted or otherwise transformed by the chemical, and a detector circuit that quantifies the transformation of the signal to determine the concentration of the chemical in the test sample. The waveform shape and frequency are selected so that the transformation is particularly responsive to the presence of a selected chemical substance, so that the magnitude of the distortion or transformation of the signal is directly related to the concentration of the selected chemical substance.