Method and apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose

Patent · Tue Jun 09 00:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:868328

Thomas, Graham H ^[1]; Watson, Roger M ^[2]; Noell, J Oakey ^[3]

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1. Livermore, CA
2. Modesto, CA
3. Mishawaka, IN

A new and improved method and apparatus are provided for non-invasive monitoring of changes in blood glucose concentration in a tissue specimen and particularly in an individual. The method uses acoustic velocity measurements for monitoring the effect of glucose concentration upon the density and adiabatic compressibility of the serum. In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic velocity measurements are made through the earlobe of a subject by means of an acoustic probe or monitor which includes a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy pulses to and from the blood flowing in the subject's earlobe and a reflector for facilitating reflection of the acoustic pulses from the blood. The probe is designed in such a way that when properly affixed to an ear, the transducer is positioned flush against the anterior portion of an earlobe while the reflector is positioned flush against the interior portion of the earlobe. A microthermocouple is provided on the probe for monitoring the internal temperature of the blood being sampled. An electrical system, essentially comprising a frequency generator, a time intervalometer and an oscilloscope, is linked to the glucose monitoring probe. The electrical system analyzes selected ones of the pulses reflected from the blood sample in order to determine therefrom the acoustic velocity of the blood which, in turn, provides a representation of the blood glucose concentration levels at the time of the acoustic velocity measurements.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76
• Assignee: Miles Inc. (Elkhart, IN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5119819
• OSTI ID: 868328
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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method
apparatus
non-invasive
monitoring
blood
glucose
improved
provided
changes
concentration
tissue
specimen
particularly
individual
acoustic
velocity
measurements
effect
density
adiabatic
compressibility
serum
preferred
embodiment
earlobe
subject
means
probe
monitor
transducer
transmitting
receiving
ultrasonic
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designed
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flush
anterior
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interior
microthermocouple
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comprising
frequency
generator
time
intervalometer
oscilloscope
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analyzes
selected
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sample
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provides
representation
levels
blood flow
blood glucose
pulses reflected
interior portion
blood sample
ultrasonic energy
improved method
preferred embodiment
time interval
acoustic velocity
concentration levels
velocity measurements
monitoring probe
acoustic pulse
selected ones
receiving ultrasonic
energy pulse
internal temperature
energy pulses
frequency generator
acoustic pulses
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