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Abstract

A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of an analyte present in a biological fluid is disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying NIR radiation to calibration samples to produce calibration data, analyzing the calibration data to identify and remove outliers, constructing a calibration model, collecting and analyzing unknown samples to identify and remove outliers, and predicting analyte concentration of non-outliers from the calibration model. Analysis of the calibration data includes data pretreatment, data decomposition to remove redundant data, and identification and removal of outliers using generalized distances. The calibration model may utilize principal component regression, partial least squares, multiple linear regression, or artificial neural networks, and reduction using principal component analysis or partial least squares scores. Unknown sample data is analyzed using data pretreatment followed by projection into the calibration model space, and identification and removal of outliers, with prediction of analyte concentration using the calibration model. The apparatus includes a pump which circulates a sample through tubing to fill a flowcell. Light from a NIR source is synchronized with a detector, facilitating light and dark measurements, and passes through a monochrometer and the flowcell and strikes the detector, whereby radiation transmitted through the sample is measured. Measurement data is stored in a general purpose programmable computer also controlling the pump, the detector, synchronization, and the monochrometer. The computer includes a general purpose microprocessor configured with computer program code employing the steps of the method.

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First Claim