Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a probe 2 suitable for use in the non-invasive sensing of glucose concentrations in the body of a patient. The probe 2 includes at least three radiation receiving fibers 16 extending between a probe body 12 and a spectrograph 8, and spaced apart from each other in a substantially uniform manner and aligned in a predetermined fixed pattern at the probe body 12. A radiation transmitting means 10 conducts radiation from a radiation source 4 and extends from the radiation source 4 to the probe body 12. The radiation transmitting means 10 is formed in the probe 2 into ring means for conducting radiation in a ring-shaped area immediately surrounding each of said receiving fibers 16. The radiation transmitting means 10 and the receiving fibers 16 terminate at the probe body 12 in a unitary structure having an outer surface configured for contacting the skin of a patient. The ring means passes radiation from the radiation source 4 into the patient in the areas immediately surrounding each receiving fiber 16. The receiving fibers 16 detect the radiation passing back out of the patient and pass this detected radiation to the spectrograph 8.

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First Claim