Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A glucose monitor, and related method, determines the concentration of glucose in a sample by monitoring fluorescent light produced directly by any glucose present in the sample. The glucose monitor illuminates the sample with ultraviolet excitation light that induces any glucose present in the sample to fluoresce, with the fluorescent light being monitored and processed to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample. A sensor monitors the return light, which includes fluorescent light produced by any glucose in the sample, and generates first and second electrical signals indicative of the intensity of light in two wavelength bands. One wavelength band includes a characteristic spectral peak of glucose fluorescence, and the other wavelength band is a reference band having known spectral characteristics. A processor then processes the first and second electrical signals to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample. A fiber-optic waveguide is used to guide the excitation light from the laser light source to the sample and the return light from the sample to the sensor. The fiber-optic waveguide is housed in a catheter or probe that is adapted to monitor the concentration of glucose percutaneously in the oral cavity tissues of a person's mouth such as the gums.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim