Device and method for determining a concentration in a sample

A method for optical measurement of carotenoids or antioxidants in a sample of human or animal tissue or blood, the method comprising:

• positioning a contact surface in contact with the sample;
• emitting photons from a first optical emitter, through a first emission area of the contact surface, and into the sample;
• detecting at least a portion of the photons emitted from the first optical emitter, which traveled through the sample, through a first detection area of the contact surface, and to a first optical detector to produce a first measurement;
• detecting at least a portion of the photons emitted from the first optical emitter, which traveled through the sample, through a second detection area of the contract surface, and to a second optical detector to produce a second measurement;
• emitting photons from a second optical emitter, through a second emission area of the contact surface, and into the sample;
• detecting at least a portion of the photons emitted from the second optical emitter, which traveled through the sample, through the first detection area of the contact surface, and to the first optical detector to produce a third measurement;
• wherein the first emission area is spaced apart from the first detection area;
• wherein the first emission area is spaced apart from the second detection area;
• wherein the second emission area is spaced apart from the first detection area;
• wherein the second emission area is spaced apart from the second detection area;
• and
• determining a measurement of carotenoids or antioxidants in the sample based at least in part on the first measurement, the second measurement, and the third measurement.

A system for optical measurement of carotenoids or antioxidants in a sample of human or animal tissue or blood, the system comprising:

• a first optical emitter configured to emit photons into the sample;
• a second optical emitter configured to emit photons into the sample;
• a first optical detector configured to receive photons that travel through the sample, wherein the first emitter and the first detector are spaced apart, so that photons emitted by the first optical emitter travel through the sample to be detected by the first optical detector;
• a second optical detector configured to receive photons that travel through the sample;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• activate the first optical emitter to emit photons into the sample, and to use at least one of the first optical detector and the second optical detector to detect resulting photons that exit the sample to produce at least one light intensity measurement;
• activate the second optical emitter to emit photons into the sample, and to use at least one of the first optical detector and the second optical detector to detect resulting photons that exit the sample to produce at least one light intensity measurement;
• and
• a data processing system configured to determine a measurement of carotenoids or antioxidants in the sample based at least in part on the light intensity measurements.

A device for optical measurement of carotenoids or antioxidants in a sample of human or animal tissue or blood, the device comprising:

• a contact surface configured to contact the sample;
• an optical emitter configured to emit light through a first area of the contact surface and into the sample;
• an optical detector configured to receive light from the sample through a second area of the contact surface, wherein the first area of the contact surface and the second area of the contact surface do not overlap;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• activate the optical emitter and the optical detector to produce a light intensity measurement.