Blood Analysis Patents (Class 356/39)
  • Patent number: 6922479
    Abstract: A system for generating a profile of particulate components of a body fluid sample is provided. The system includes: (a) a device for causing controlled flow of the body fluid sample on a substrate, the controlled flow of the body fluid sample leading to a differential distribution of the particulate components on the substrate; and (b) a magnifying device being for providing a magnified image of differentially distributed particulate components on the substrate, the magnified image representing a profile of the particulate components of the body fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Inflamet Ltd.
    Inventor: Shlomo Berliner
  • Patent number: 6919960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the assessment of quantity and quality parameters of biological particles in a liquid analyte material. The method comprises applying a volume of a liquid sample to an exposing domain from which exposing domain electromagnetic signals from the sample in the domain can pass to the exterior, and exposing, onto an array of active detection elements such as CCD-elements, a spatial representation of electromagnetic signals having passed from the domain, the representation being detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements, under conditions permitting processing of the intensities detected by the array of detection elements during the exposure in such a manner that representations of electromagnetic signals from the biological particles are identified as distinct from representations of electromagnetic signals from background signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Chemometec A/S
    Inventors: Frans Ejner Rvan Hansen, Martin Glensbjerg, Borkur Arnvidarson, Jesper Myron Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 6909797
    Abstract: An algorithm is quickly scans a digital image volume to detect density nodules. A first stage is based on a transform to quickly highlight regions requiring further processing. The first stage operates with somewhat lower sensitivity than is possible with more detailed analyses, but operates to highlight regions for further analysis and processing. The transform dynamically adapts to various nodule sizes through the use of radial zones. A second stage uses a detailed gradient distribution analysis that only operates on voxels that pass a threshold of the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: R2 Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan M. Romsdahl, Wei Zhang, Alexander C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6908593
    Abstract: A medical diagnostic device for measuring an analyte concentration or property of a biological fluid includes capillary flow channels to convey a sample of the fluid from an inlet to a branching point, and then to a measurement area and, alternatively, through a bypass channel to an overflow region. A first stop junction stops fluid flow after it enters the measurement area. The bypass channel has a capillary dimension in at least one direction. A second stop junction, in the bypass channel, has boundary region that has a dimension that is greater in that direction and forms an angle that points toward the branching point. With this construction, the second stop junction initially prevents flow to the overflow region, but permits the flow after the measurement area is filled. The device is particularly suited for measuring coagulation time of blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Lifescan, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Justice Shartle
  • Patent number: 6903815
    Abstract: An optical waveguide sensor for glucose measurement comprises a substrate, a first optical waveguide layer formed on a surface of the substrate, an entrance grating and an exit grating which are formed contacting with the first optical waveguide layer and being spaced from each other, a second optical waveguide layer located between the entrance grating and the exit grating while being in contact with the first optical waveguide layer, the second optical waveguide layer having a higher refractive index that that of the first optical waveguide layer, and a functioning layer containing an enzyme and a coloring reagent which is formed on the second optical waveguide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi Uchiyama, Ichiro Tono, Hideo Eto, Miki Nagatomo
  • Patent number: 6898296
    Abstract: A specimen processing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of specimen processing units each having flat sides and a specimen operating surface and operated singly. The specimen processing units have at least the same depth dimension, and the specimen operating surfaces of the specimen processing units have the same height dimension. The system further includes a coupling section for closely coupling the right and left sides of the specimen processing units to each other and a single driving control unit for controlling a related operation of all of the specimen processing units coupled to each other by the coupling section and a single operation of a designated one of the specimen processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Teruaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 6888951
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing nonoperational data acquired from optical discs, and in particular, trackable optical discs having concurrently readable nonoperational structures are provided. Analysis can involve identifying patterns in the data that reproducibly distinguish underlying structures, or identifying patterns in the data that report physical properties of the nonoperational structures. When an optical disc has a plurality of physically nonidentical concurrently readable nonoperational structures, analysis can involve identifying patterns in the data that distinguish among the physically nonidentical nonoperational structures. Also, relative physical locations of nonoperational structures on the disc can be calculated. A system for remotely analyzing data in order to expedite complex data analysis and reporting the results thereof is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignees: Nagaoka & Co., Ltd., Burstein Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Worthington, Gregory R. Basile
  • Patent number: 6879713
    Abstract: The developmental potential of a mammalian oocyte for successful implantation is evaluated by producing a plurality of intensity images of the oocyte using polarized light optics, and calculating a retardance image with a sensitivity of 3 nm or less. The presence, location and morphological characteristics of a meiotic spindle in the oocyte can then be determined based on the spindle structure in the retardance image, and the developmental potential of the oocyte can be evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
    Inventor: David L. Keefe
  • Patent number: 6873719
    Abstract: Image acquisition apparatus is used to obtain images of contents of containers for use in, for example, antibiotic susceptibility testing. The apparatus has image capture means, such as a scanner (6) for obtaining images of the contents of the containers which are supported on receiving means (1) for receiving the containers and positioning them within the field of view of the scanner (6). In addition, light deflecting means, such as reflectors, are provided for defecting light from identification markings on the sides of the containers into the scanner (6) to enable the latter also to obtain an image of said markings, and thus to enable the apparatus to identify each container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Oxoid Limited
    Inventor: John Ernest Foster Holley
  • Patent number: 6871169
    Abstract: A novel multivariate model for analysis of absorbance spectra allows for each wavelength or spectral region to be modeled with just enough factors to fully model the analytical signal without the incorporation of noise by using excess factors. Each wavelength or spectral region is modeled utilizing its own number of factors independently of other wavelengths or spectral regions. An iterative combinative PCR algorithm allows a different number of factors to be applied to different wavelengths. In an exemplary embodiment, a three-factor model is applied over a given spectral region. The residual of the three-factor model is calculated and used as the input for an additional five-factor model. Prior to the additional five factors being applied, some of the wavelengths are removed. This leads to a three-factor model over the first region and an eight-factor model over the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sensys Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin H. Hazen, Suresh Thennadil, Timothy L. Ruchti
  • Patent number: 6864716
    Abstract: A pre-diffused high density array of core memory cells is provided in a metal programmable device. The peripheral logic is made up of gate array cells in the metal programmable device. The peripheral logic may be configured to access the core memory cells as various memory types, widths, depths, and other configurations. If the entire memory is not needed, then the unused memory cells can be used as logic gates. The application-specific circuit, including peripheral logic, memory interface logic, and memory configuration is programmed with a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Anthony Monzel, III, Michael Dillon, Bret Alan Oeltjen
  • Patent number: 6855562
    Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay method in which blood can be measured even without pretreatment by means of a centrifuge etc. In the present invention, antibodies or antigens in a sample are subjected to agglutination reaction with insoluble carriers onto which antigens or antibodies specifically reacting with the antibodies or antigens in the sample have been immobilized and the resulting agglutination mixture is determined for the change in its absorbance or in its scattered light by irradiation with light, wherein said sample is whole blood and the whole blood is forcibly lyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamao, Narihiro Oku
  • Patent number: 6853857
    Abstract: In a method, a device and a computer program for determining the blood flow in a tissue or organ region, the fluorescence intensity of an exogenous chromophore is measured as a function of time in the tissue region to be examined and from this the permeation rate of the chromophore is calculated, from which the blood flow can be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Pulsion Medical Systems AG
    Inventors: Ulrich J. Pfeiffer, Thorsten Burger, Andreas Becker
  • Patent number: 6847451
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject apparatuses include at least one light source, a detector array, means for determining whether a sufficient amount of sample is present on each of the plurality of different areas, and means for determining the concentration of the analyte based on the reflected light detected from those areas determined to have sufficient sample, where areas having insufficient sample are not used in analyte concentration determination. The subject methods include illuminating each area of a test strip, obtaining reflectance from each of the different areas, determining which areas have sufficient sample based on detected light therefrom and deriving analyte concentration from the areas determined to have sufficient sample, where areas determined not to have sufficient sample are not used in the derivation. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry T. Pugh
  • Patent number: 6842233
    Abstract: A method of classifying particles indicated on a two-dimensional frequency distribution map into particle clusters, includes the steps of: dividing the particles into a first cluster and a second cluster by a line containing a mode coordinate of the particles, presuming a third cluster so that the first and third clusters are symmetrical with respect to the mode coordinate, calculating variance and covariance of a cluster including the first and third clusters to obtain an ellipse region surrounding the first and third clusters based on the calculated variance and covariance, and determining the particles in the obtained ellipse region as a particle cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Narisada, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Yusuke Mori
  • Publication number: 20040257557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of that utilizes a reflective enclosure to simulate optical homogeneity in an otherwise inhomogeneous sample. The illumination sources and sample are placed within the reflective enclosure, thus providing a method for examining a sample that is different from transmission, reflection or transflection. This apparatus and method are particularly well adapted to in vivo non-invasive testing for constituents of blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: OPTIX LP
    Inventor: Myron J. Block
  • Publication number: 20040252292
    Abstract: In a method for the measurement of the concentration of a substance in a liquid, especially for blood sugar measurement, the liquid to be measured is applied to the measuring field of a test strip, which measuring field is composed of a hydrophilic material, and the change of the optical reflectivity or transmissivity effected thereby in the area of the measuring field is captured. A measured value taken after a pre-given time is compared with a reference value and an indication is made if a relationship of the measured value to the reference value exceeds a pre-given threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: LRE Technology Partner GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Eisenmann, Norbert Pollmann, Ernst Markart
  • Patent number: 6831733
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for quantitative hemoglobin determination in undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood comprising the steps of: providing a disposable, capillary, which has an optical path length of less than 1 mm; filling said cuvette with a sample of unaltered whole blood; performing a first absorption measurement at a wavelength in the range 490-520 nm directly on the sample in the cuvette, and further conducting a second absorption measurement, and processing results of the first and second absorption measurements to determine the concentration of hemoglobin in the sample, wherein the step of processing comprises compensating for scattering in the sample, said compensating being dependent on the result of the second absorption measurement. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hemocue AB
    Inventors: Joakim Pettersson, Johnny Svensson
  • Patent number: 6825918
    Abstract: In a method for the measurement of the concentration of a substance in a liquid, especially for blood sugar measurement, the liquid to be measured is applied to the measuring field of a test strip, which measuring field is composed of a hydrophilic material, and the change of the optical reflectivity or transmissivity effected thereby in the area of the measuring field is captured. A measured value taken after a pre-given time is compared with a reference value and an indication is made if a relationship of the measured value to the reference value exceeds a pre-given threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: LRE Technology Partner GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Eisenmann, Ernst Markart, Norbert Pöllman
  • Patent number: 6819408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for analyzing a blood or other biological fluid sample in a quiescent state without the need for additional diluting reagents or fluid streams passing through the apparatus during the analytic process, whereby particulate constituents of biological samples can be enumerated and inspected using an optical scanning instrument. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining decreased cellular or particulate concentrations within the use of this system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Scrivens, Dwight Livingston, Robert S. Frank, Klaus W. Berndt
  • Patent number: 6816241
    Abstract: A compact, lightweight instrument for non-invasive blood analyte determination employs a light source incorporating an assembly of LED's interconnected within a thermally stable substrate. A large diameter mixer couples the signal to a fiber optic probe for delivering the signal to a tissue measurement site. Back-diffused light is collected and dispersed across an array of photo detectors in a miniature spectrometer instrument. A high-speed DSP executes an algorithm for predicting concentration of a target analyte, which is output to a LCD display. Instrument control is by means of keypad or voice recognition. High conversion efficiency of the light source results in extremely low power dissipation and virtually no heat generation, making incorporation of the light source and the spectrometer into a single unit practicable. High-speed pulsing of the signal allows application of high-sensitivity, synchronous detection techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sensys Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Dragan Grubisic
  • Patent number: 6813009
    Abstract: Serum emission can be used as the first test to detect metabolic disorders in mammals. When changes in emission of the serum from patients with different pathological conditions were characterized, a difference was seen for patients with diseases such as cancer, thyroid disorder, arthritis, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), and fibromyalgia. The level of emission was enhanced or diminished and correlated with the level of energy metabolism and the level of metabolic rate. The method can also be used for risk assessment, to identify whether a treatment is working or to follow the course of a treatment, and to identify changes in energy levels due to stress, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning, International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Riordan, Paul Rillema, Nina Mikarova
  • Patent number: 6806947
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the presence of a fluid conduit at a predetermined location and at least one characteristic of the fluid in the conduit are disclosed. The apparatus includes a light source for generating radiated light in a direction towards the predetermined location, such that when the fluid conduit is present at the predetermined location the radiated light passes in a direction through the fluid conduit, a first optical sensor for detecting the radiated light through the fluid conduit, and a second optical sensor for detecting the radiated light which is reflected by the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Gambro AB
    Inventors: Olof Ekdahl, Per-Ola Wictor
  • Publication number: 20040189977
    Abstract: A blood sample containing leukocytes flows through a flow cell. A light source emits a light beam in a first direction. The light beam incident into the flow cell is scattered by the blood sample as scattered light. A first detector detects an intensity of forward small scattered light out of the scattered light. The first detector is arranged so as to have a maximum angle of a detection angle range for the forward small scattered light stemmed from the first direction at a position inside (outside) of the flow cell, which is 3.1 (4) degrees or less. A second detector detects an intensity of forward large scattered light out of the scattered light. The second detector is arranged so as to have a detection angle range for the forward large scattered light stemmed from the first direction at a position inside (outside) of the flow cell, which falls in a range from 8 to 12 (10 to 16) degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Nagai, Kazuo Yamagishi, Tomonobu Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20040186359
    Abstract: An optical biosensor carries one or more affinity legends or binding members that bind specifically to a marker being monitored. Light directed along optic fibers illuminates a surface plasmon resonance (SPRN) probe surface on which is immobilized the binding member. A spectrophotometer receives light reflected back along the fiber optic path and provides wavelength information indicative of the absence or presence of surface plasmon resonance indicative of the bound marker in known SPR manner. The probe is used in vitro or in vivo. When used in vivo the fiberoptic light path comprises a catheter that directs the probe to an implant site. For in vivo implantation a housing houses the probe at the implant site and is adapted to filter out larger particles that would adversely affect with the spectral analysis. In one embodiment the probe has two regions on its surface. The first region has no immobilized binding member. The second region does have the binding member immobilized on it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen P. Beaudoin, Karl S. Booksh, Philip A. Khairallah, Hassan Loutfi, Alyssa Panitch
  • Publication number: 20040186360
    Abstract: The invention provides an automatic analyzer which can realize efficient continuous measurement on many samples and shorten a waiting time to analysis, particularly, for a sample having a high degree of urgency. The automatic analyzer comprises a conveyer line capable of moving a sample rack back and forth, a randomly accessible buffer disposed at each of both ends of the conveyer line, and an analysis unit connected to the conveyer line. In the automatic analyzer with high performance, a sufficient area for use as, e.g., a re-analysis buffer, can be ensured while realizing a compact system size. The analysis system is also promptly adaptable for an analysis request for an urgent sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Satoshi Shibuya, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Masaharu Nishida
  • Patent number: 6794194
    Abstract: A method for measuring the hemoglobin concentration in the blood in a circuit of a dialysis machine includes directing electromagnetic waves against one section of the circuit, measuring values of the electromagnetic waves transmitted through the section, and determining values of absorption of electromagnetic waves by the blood along the section from the measured values of transmitted electromagnetic waves. The values of absorption are correlated with the values of the hemoglobin concentration. The method also includes measuring the values of at least one physical quantity of the blood, wherein the at least one physical quantity is selected from blood pressure and blood temperature, and calculating the values of hemoglobin concentration as a function of the values of absorption and the at least one physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Gambro Dasco SpA
    Inventors: Massimo Fava, Annalisa Delnevo, Francesco Paolini
  • Patent number: 6791674
    Abstract: A method of analyzing blood using a near infrared apparatus, in which monochromatic near infrared light in a wavelength range of 700 nm-1100 nm from the slit of the near infrared apparatus is applied to a ceramic plate through an optical fiber to measure a transmitted light intensity of the ceramic plate, which is a reference material for spectrum measurement. Next, in place of the ceramic plate, a blood collection tube containing a blood sample which has been stabilized at a predetermined temperature by a water bath has the near infrared light applied thereto. A so-called near infrared absorption spectrum in which absorbance has been plotted against wavelengths is obtained and information about object characteristics of the blood is extracted from the spectrum data using a calibration equation predetermined using the near infrared apparatus in relation to blood specimens with different, known object characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: Japan as represented by Director of National Food Research Institute Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution
    Inventor: Sumio Kawano
  • Patent number: 6788394
    Abstract: An infectious disease or disorder in a fluid, such as a mammalian blood sample, is detected by taking a transmission spectrum of a test sample in at least a portion of the ultraviolet visible near-infrared and comparing the spectrum with a standard sample spectrum. From the comparison it is then determined whether the fluid from the test sample contains an infectious disease or disorder, and an identity of the infectious disease or disorder is determined. Spectroscopic and multiwavelength turbidimetry techniques provide a rapid, inexpensive, and convenient means for diagnosis. The comparison and determination steps may be performed visually or by spectral deconvolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Luis Humberto Garcia-Rubio, Yvette D. Mattley, German Leparc, Manuel Bayona, Andres Cardenas
  • Patent number: 6784981
    Abstract: The present invention is a flow cytometry-based hematology system useful in the analysis of biological samples, particularly whole blood or blood-derived samples. The system is capable of determining at least a complete blood count (CBC), a five-part white blood cell differential, and a reticulocyte count from a whole blood sample. The system preferably uses a laser diode that emits a thin beam to illuminate cells in a flow cell and a lensless optical detection system to measure one or more of axial light loss, low-angle forward scattered light, high-angle forward scattered light, right angle scattered light, and time-of-flight measurements produced by the cells. The lensless optical detection system contains no optical components, other than photoreactive elements, and does not include any moving parts. Finally, the system uses a unique system of consumable reagent tubes that act as reaction chambers, mixing chambers, and waste chambers for the blood sample analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Roche, W. Peter Hansen, Marcus F. Julian, Harold C. Flynn, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040156037
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for quickly measuring the hemoglobin content of a sample of blood uses a light reflectance measurement of the hemoglobin sample lysed in a membrane. The reflection is inversely proportional to hemoglobin concentration. A blood sample is loaded on to a nylon mesh and dispersed within a nylon membrane, both of which have been treated with a hemolyzing agent and surfactant, and air-dried. As soon as the blood sample contacts the reagent on the membrane, the red blood cells are lysed and the hemoglobin molecules are released and dispersed into the membrane by the action of surfactant. The hemoglobin apparatus emits light at 522 nm to the reflective surface of the membrane. The intensity of the reflected light is measured by a detector in less than 29 seconds. The intensity of the reflected light is converted to hemoglobin concentration, g/dL, or mmol/L by an interpolative comparison with stored reflection data indicative of known hemoglobin contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: James A. Mawhirt, Ted Lee, Supinan R. Naphuket, Charles E. Toms, Wai Law, Catherine Cimini
  • Patent number: 6770883
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the level of red blood cells, plasma or serum, and organic separation gel in a test tube covered with multiple labels is provided. Visible and infrared light beams are projected onto a test tube. The portions of the light beams that pass through the test tube are detected as a function of position along the vertical axis of the test tube. The levels of the interfaces are then calculated from the detected portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack D. Mc Neal, Yagang Liu, Mary S. Adzich
  • Publication number: 20040147034
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the amount of an organic substance in a biological sample using infrared electromagnetic radiation. For example, glucose levels can be detected in capillary fluid filtrate obtained subcutaneously in a continuous manner in order to provide real-time glucose monitoring for a patient with diabetes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jay Prabhakar Gore, Sivakumar Santhanakrishnan, Kislaya Kunjan, Anjan Mehta, Paul J. Mulqueen
  • Publication number: 20040145725
    Abstract: An optical detection system for flow cytometry that uses two or more light sources positioned laterally at different distances from a central axis of a flow stream for providing light through different parts of the flow stream. One or more lenses are used to focus the light from the two or more light sources through the flow stream and onto a common focal point or region on the opposite side of the flow stream. One or more light detectors are then placed at, near or around the common focal point or region. A processor or the like receives at least one output signal from the one or more light detectors to analyze and determine selected characteristics of the flow stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard S. Fritz
  • Patent number: 6749565
    Abstract: A rapid diagnosis method for organ specific disease state is based on obtaining an infrared absorbance spectra of a patient's blood at a frequency range from about 400 cm−1 to about 2000 cm−1 and further from about 3000 cm−1 to about 3100 cm−1. Comparing it with the predetermined normal infrared absorbance spectra of known healthy subjects for the presence or absence of predetermined features such as increase or decrease of infrared absorbance, peaks at particular frequencies allows for accurate diagnosis of a disease of an organ, including most major organs such as a heart, lungs, stomach, liver, kidneys, brain, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Victor Chudner
  • Publication number: 20040090615
    Abstract: A glucose monitoring system comprising a readhead positioned a predetermined distance from a sample aperture. The readhead comprises first and second LEDs adapted to emit intersecting paths of light. A beam splitter is positioned at the intersection of the light paths. The beam splitter comprises a band pass filter for controlling the center wavelength of a resulting coaxial emitted light for illuminating a sample on the sample aperture. The readhead further comprises a detector which comprises a detector aperture and a molded lens over the detector aperture. A light-scattering section upstream of the lens comprises a plurality of steps having angles greater than 90 degrees to reduce internal stray light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew J. Dosmann, Mohammad A. Kheiri
  • Publication number: 20040090614
    Abstract: A method for studying whole blood clotting that includes irradiating a specimen with light and recording light reflected into the hemisphere of the irradiating beam. The time course of reflected light intensity is divided into distinct regions, each of which is fit with a mathematical formula. The parameters from these formulas are used to assign values to each specimen. The assigned values identify disease states and quantify the effects of drugs on clotting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Anthony Greco
  • Publication number: 20040090613
    Abstract: A method of determining the volume of cells or particles is described. The method relies upon the displacement of the liquid in a liquid suspension of cells or particles. The liquid suspension is strongly fluorescent and the volume of the cells or particles is measured by measuring the reduction of fluorescent light due to the presence of cells or particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Philippe J. Goix, Paul J. Lingane, Kimvan Tran
  • Patent number: 6731379
    Abstract: A device for determining the concentration of heparin in a fluid sample comprising: a container for holding the fluid sample; a container for holding the dye solution; a mixer for mixing the fluid sample and the dye solution; an illumination source for illuminating a mixture comprising the fluid sample and the dye solution with electromagnetic radiation having a substantially continuous range of wavelengths in the visible range; a detector for detecting the absorption spectrum of the mixture within the substantially continuous range of wavelengths; a recorder for recording the absorption spectrum of the mixture within the substantially continuous range of wavelengths; and a calculator for calculating a spectral parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Dideco S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Caputo, Raffaele Castelli, Elena Comoglio, Leopoldo Della Ciana, Arnaldo Giannetti
  • Publication number: 20040070765
    Abstract: A light L from a light source 3 is transmitted through a sample cell S and is made incident into a spectroscopic portion 13. The spectroscopic portion 13 comprises interference filters 31-39 which transmit light components different in wavelengths and photodiodes 41-49 corresponding to the respective interference filters. Dielectric films to compose an interference filter have relatively satisfactory features to reflect a light component of wavelengths other than a light component of a wavelength to be transmitted. At each interference filter, an incident light is split into a light component to be transmitted and a light component to be reflected. By making the reflected light component into an incident light into a following-order interference filter, light components of nine wavelength types are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Kazunori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6717657
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and a method for determining the volume of individual red blood cells or other particles that are suspended in liquids. The sample is disposed into an optical cuvette suitable for microscopic analysis. An absorbing dye is added that does not leak into the cells, and that is able to absorb light at wavelengths that are only weakly absorbed by the cells. The cell volume is determined using transmitted light intensity values measured (i) in a first area comprising a single cell, (ii) in a second area close to that cell, and (iii) in said second area, after changing the cuvette thickness by a known amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Klaus W. Berndt
  • Publication number: 20040060818
    Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: TheraSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Feldman, Adam Heller, Ephraim Heller, Fei Mao, Joseph A. Vivolo, Jeffery V. Funderburk, Fredric C. Colman, Rajesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 6714287
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for determining the volume of single red blood cells or other particles that are suspended in liquids. The sample is disposed into an optical cuvette suitable for microscopic analysis. A fluorescent dye is added that does not leak into the cells, and that is able to absorb excitation light and emit fluorescence light at wavelengths that are only weakly absorbed by the cells. The cell volume is determined using fluorescence intensity values measured (i) in a first area comprising a single cell, (ii) in a second area close to that cell, and (iii) in said second area, after changing the cuvette thickness by a known amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Klaus W. Berndt
  • Publication number: 20040059208
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to determine the speed of sedimentation of blood and other parameters connected thereto, said method being carried out by detecting the development over time of the optical density, or absorbance, of a sample of blood, said sample being sent in the form of a flow inside a capillary container, said detection being made in correspondence with a point of said capillary container and the relative data acquired being processed to obtain said speed of sedimentation and said connected parameters, said method providing to instantly interrupt the flow of the blood sample flowing inside said capillary container, in order to determine a thickening of the red cells in said blood sample and their consequent sedimentation, said detection being made substantially simultaneously with said instant interruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Sire Analytical Systems Srl.
    Inventor: Breda Enzo
  • Publication number: 20040057037
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blood treatment device and methods of blood treatment to provide an individual patient with the most suitable blood treatment and reduced treatment duration. Specifically, the invention provides a blood treatment device comprising a treating means 11 that treats blood collected from a patient; a measuring means 12 that measures parameters of the patient's blood and indicates blood condition; a controlling means 13 that controls the treatment procedures based upon the blood parameters; a storing means 15 that records an ideal patient-specific blood parameter curve for the treatment duration; and a directing means 14 that directs the control by the controlling means 13 so that the measured blood parameters approximate to the ideal blood parameter curve by comparing the measured blood parameters with the ideal blood parameter curve recorded by the storing means 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Nikkiso Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ohishi, Yoshihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 6710879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the assessment of quantity and quality parameters of biological particles in a liquid analyte material. The method comprises applying a volume of a liquid sample to an exposing domain from which exposing domain electromagnetic signals from the sample in the domain can pass to the exterior, and exposing, onto an array of active detection elements such as CCD-elements, a spatial representation of electromagnetic signals having passed from the domain, the representation being detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements, under conditions permitting processing of the intensities detected by the array of detection elements during the exposure in such a manner that representations of electromagnetic signals from the biological particles are identified as distinct from representations of electromagnetic signals from background signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Chemometec A/S
    Inventors: Frans Ejner Rvan Hansen, Martin Glensbjerg, Borkur Arnvidarson, Jesper Myron Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 6707554
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the photometric analysis of test elements with a detection zone which is stable towards positioning tolerances of the detection zone comprising the following steps: activating the first light source to irradiate a first region of the detection zone and detecting the light reflected from the detection zone or transmitted through the detection zone in order to generate a first detection signal (50), activating the second light source to irradiate a second region of the detection zone which is displaced relative to the first region in the direction of the positioning tolerance and detecting the light reflected from the detection zone or transmitted through the detection zone in order to generate a second detection signal (60), comparing the first and the second detection signal and determining whether the first and/or the second detection signal has been obtained by illuminating an area situated completely on the detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Miltner, Uwe Ruppender, Christian Wersig, Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20040036854
    Abstract: An optical rotation angle of linearly polarized light is modulated to obtain modulated light. The modulated light is passed through an inspection object containing an optically active substance. The optically active substance rotates an optical rotation angle of the modulated light. An intensity of light coming out of the inspection object is measured. Variation in the optical rotation angle of the modulated light is calculated based on the measured intensity and the angle to which the linearly polarized light is modulated. A concentration of the optically active substance in the pulsing component of the inspection object is calculated based on the variation in the optical rotation angle. Thus, concentration of glucose in the blood can be calculated without harming the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tadahiro Fukuda, Takakazu Yano, Kenji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6692967
    Abstract: A method, compositions and kit are set forth for detecting blood stains. A reactant solution includes fluorescin solubilized (reduced) in acetic acid in ethanol. The solution may be buffered to a pH of approximately 9. After spraying the reactant solution on the suspected area an oxidizer is applied to promote the fluorescin to fluorescein reaction with the blood. The reacted fluorescein is then detected through luminescence for capture by photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: John Di Benedetto, Kevin Kyle, Terry Boan, Charlene Marie
  • Patent number: 6694157
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for in-vivo, real time measurement of pH, pCO2, base excess, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation. Specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus placed in-line with an existing invasive patient access line to provide continuous, semi-continuous, or non-continuous monitoring of blood pH, pCO2, base excess, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in a manner which is relatively non-invasive. Further, the device and apparatus allows monitoring of the listed parameters in a non-destructive manner such that the blood sample under analysis can be returned to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Daedalus I , L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert T. Stone, Bernhard B. Sterling