Patents by Inventor Robert A. Peura

Robert A. Peura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7003337
    Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: VivaScan Corporation
    Inventors: Hannu Harjunmaa, Stevan Kun, Robert A. Peura, John A. Rolls
  • Publication number: 20030204133
    Abstract: An improved method for non-invasively measuring a concentration of a target analyte dissolved in a fluid flowing through a sample is presented. It includes directing a probe beam of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of time multiplexed components of different wavelengths, through the sample and measuring the difference of the absorption of the radiation at at least one wavelength pair at different sample states. During sample state changes, the amount of fluid containing the target analyte within the sample is changing, which varies the total amount of target analyte in the sample, as well as the absorption properties of the sample. The sample states are produced, for instance, by compressing and uncompressing the tissue sample. The accuracy of the presented method is enhanced by including continuous estimation of the amount of the fluid containing the target analyte within the sample, and measurement of the variations of the absorption at a wavelength at which the target analyte absorbs significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Hannu Harjunmaa, Stevan Kun, Robert A. Peura, John A. Rolls
  • Patent number: 5807272
    Abstract: An impedance spectroscopy tissue status monitoring and measurement system is disclosed. The system uses a synthesizer to generates electrical signals of selected frequencies. An electrical current source is responsive to the synthesizer and generates electrical currents for transmission through tissue. Electrodes or inductive coils of the system apply the electrical current to the tissue and sense voltages generated in the tissue in response to the electrical current. A controller determines the spectral response of the tissue by detecting magnitude and phase information of the electrical energy transmitted through the tissue. The information is then used to determine volumes of compartments within the tissue and ionic concentrations of compartmental fluids. Capacitive effects derived from the phase information are used to determine cell membrane functionality within the tissue. From this analysis, status, specifically, ischemia, may be determined on an absolute basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Steven Kun, Robert A. Peura, Borislav Ristic
  • Patent number: 5766432
    Abstract: A pH-measuring method and device for monitoring and then correcting for electrode drift is provided. The device includes a pH-measuring electrode and more than one reference electrode. During operation, the pH-measuring device is place in contact with a sample. The pH value measured at each electrode pair is due to the electrical potential difference between the pH electrode and the reference electrode. The maximum and minimum pH values are determined, and then the remaining pH values are averaged together to generate an overall average pH. The maximum and minimum pH values are subtracted from the average pH to generate a difference which is then compared to a user-defined drift level to determine if a particular electrode is deficient. The pH values from deficient electrodes are not considered when the overall pH of the sample is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Raymond M. Dunn, Robert Harrington, Robert Peura, Stevan Kun
  • Patent number: 5158083
    Abstract: The pCO.sub.2 probe has a miniaturized glass bulb pH sensor concentrically arranged in a flexible, noncollapsible hollow tube. A silicone end cap is expanded in a freon solvent and placed over the end of the tube while the freon evaporates, returning the end cap to its normal contracted size where it forms a tight elastic fit. The pH sensor includes an internal electrode and an outer electrode is concentrically wrapped about the glass bulb so the electrodes are in close proximity. The glass bulb and the chamber defined by the tube walls and silicone membrane are both filled with suitable electrolytes of sufficient volume to minimize air bubbles. Without air bubbles, the electrodes remain emersed in the respective electrolytes regardless of the physical orientation of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Mountpelier Investments, S.A.
    Inventors: Emilio Sacristan, Albert Shahnarian, Robert A. Peura
  • Patent number: 5137023
    Abstract: A non-invasive system for measuring the concentration of an analyte, such as glucose, in an absorbing matrix is described. The system directs beams of light at the matrix using an analyte sensitive wavelength and an analyte insensitive wavelength. The principles of photoplethysmography are applied to measure the change in light intensity caused by matrix absorption before and after the blood volume change caused by the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. The change in light intensity is converted to an electrical signal which is used to adjust the light intensity and as a measure of analyte concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Yitzhak Mendelson, Robert A. Peura, Hannu Harjunmaa
  • Patent number: 5112124
    Abstract: A non-invasive system for measuring the concentration of an analyte in an absorbing matrix is described. The system directs a beam of radiation at the matrix. The beam consists of a series of successive alternate pulses of electro-magnetic radiation, one of which is highly absorbed by the analyte and the other of which is non-absorbed. The transmitted or reflected beam is optically detected and an electrical signal proportional to beam intensity is used to adjust the beam intensity and as a measure of analyte concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Hannu Harjunmaa, Robert A. Peura, Yitzhak Mendelson