Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improving the accuracy of analyte concentration measurements at alternative sites and information provided to the user. The present invention advantageously utilizes information relating to the rate of change of analyte concentrations to adjust analyte concentrations measurements and/or information provided to the user. Therefore, the present invention provides new and improved methods and apparatuses for obtaining analyte concentration information at physiological sites other than the fingertips while ensuring that the analyte concentration information accurately reflects systemic analyte concentration values.

Abstract: Herein is described a system that includes a processing circuit for identifying possible zone D errors among estimated blood glucose concentration values. The system converts estimated blood glucose concentration values which are identified as possible zone D errors into adjusted blood glucose concentration values which are lower in blood glucose concentration magnitude than their corresponding estimated blood glucose concentration values, thereby decreasing the occurrence of zone D errors. Herein is also disclosed a method for improving the clinical accuracy of an analyte concentration measurement. One method includes a first act of computing an estimated analyte concentration having an associated first error that is clinically significant and a second act of processing the estimated analyte concentration to generate an adjusted analyte concentration having a second error that is clinically insignificant.

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 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 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 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: 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 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 selecting and stabilizing proper sites for the measurement of the concentration of an analyte, for example glucose, within the tissue of a subject or patient are disclosed. One embodiment of the device immobilizes the subject's forearm and finger, thereby stabilizing measurement sites thereon for exposure to a noninvasive monitor which captures analyte concentration data within the subject's skin. The method involves the choice of a location on the subject's body at which to take the analyte measurement, preferably based on the amount of time that has elapsed since the last time the subject ate.

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: A device and method are provided for use with a non-invasive optical measurement system, such as a thermal gradient spectrometer for improved determination of analyte concentrations within living tissue. In a preferred embodiment, a site selector is secured to a patient's forearm thereby isolating a measurement site on the patient's skin for determination of blood glucose levels. The site selector attaches to a thermal mass window of the spectrometer and thus forms an interface between the patient's skin and the thermal mass window. When the spectrometer must be temporarily removed from the patient's skin, such as to allow the patient mobility, the site selector 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 site selector will again form an interface between the gradient spectrometer and the same location of skin as before.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment there is provided a method of providing a known spectrum to a noninvasive optical detection system of the type having a window for receiving infrared energy. The method comprises affixing a standard to the window. The standard comprises a body formed from a material having known and stable spectral properties. The method further comprises placing at least a portion of the body directly against the window, and operating the optical detection system to detect an emission spectrum of the body. In accordance with another embodiment an infrared spectrometer comprises a window for receiving infrared energy. The window has an exposed surface. The infrared spectrometer further comprises a standard comprising a body formed of a material having known and stable spectral properties. At least part of the body is removably disposed directly against the exposed surface of the window.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved extrusion die assembly for controlling the flow of polymer in a melt extrusion process. The die assembly is useful for extruding low molecular weight polymer melts.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with digital communication systems and there is disclosed a digital telephone system wherein any digital telephone may be switched, by control from a local exchange, between a power-up state wherein continuous operating power is consumed by the telephone and a power-down state wherein the telephone is effectively turned off except for the consumption of a small amount of power sufficient only to enable communication between the telephone and the exchange. A telephone is powered-up by detecting, at the telephone, a control signal in the digital data transmitted from the exchange to the telephone. Each telephone includes a detection circuit for detecting the control signal and actuating a power rationing switch to switch the telephone to the power-up state. The power rationing switch may also be actuated momentarily when the telephone goes from the idle to busy condition to initiate a call so as to signal the exchange of the requirement for full operating power.