Method and apparatus for non-invasively monitoring plasma glucose levels
OwnerWalter L. Sembrowich, Carter R. Anderson +1inventors
InventorsWalter L. Sembrowich, Carter R. Anderson, William R. Kennedy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus non-invasively monitor plasma constituent levels. A localized, modified sweating response is induced providing a sweat secretion for analysis of the plasma constituents.
Claims53
A method of non-invasively monitoring a constituent in the plasma of a patient, the method comprising:
- non-invasively inducing a localized sweating response;
- non-invasively introducing an agent causing the constituent to appear in sweat secretions;
- collecting a discrete sample of pharmacologically-induced sweat, containing the constituent, at a skin surface;
- and
- monitoring a characteristic of the constituent in the sample.
A method for non-invasively monitoring plasma glucose levels in a patient, the method comprising:
- non-invasively inducing a localized sweating response, introducing a first pharmacologic agent which blocks glucose reabsorption by the sweat gland, and introducing a second pharmacologic agent non-invasively which provides an energy supply for the secreting sweat gland;
- collecting a discrete sample of pharmacologically-modified sweat, containing glucose, at the surface of the skin;
- and
- determining a plasma glucose level based upon the glucose contained in the sample.
The method of claim wherein the third pharmacologic agent is a cholinergic agent.
A method of non-invasively monitoring a concentration of a constituent in plasma of a patient, the method comprising:
- stimulating sweat secretion in a localized area of the patient's body;
- modifying sweat gland secretion in the localized area so that a concentration of the constituent in sweat secreted in the localized area has a known relationship to the concentration of the constituent in the plasma;
- and
- measuring concentration of the constituent in a sample of sweat secreted in the localized area.
An apparatus for non-invasively monitoring a constituent in the plasma of a patient, comprising:
- an inducer for non-invasively inducing a localized sweating response;
- a modifier for non-invasively modifying the sweating response to make the constituent appear in sweat secretions;
- a collector for collecting a discrete sample of pharmacologically-induced sweat, containing the constituent, at a skin surface;
- and
- a monitor for monitoring a characteristic of the constituent in the sample.
An apparatus for non-invasively monitoring plasma glucose levels in a patient, comprising:
- an inducer for non-invasively inducing a localized sweating response, introducing a first pharmacologic agent non-invasively which blocks glucose reabsorption by the sweat gland, and for introducing a second pharmacologic agent non-invasively which provides an energy supply for the secreting sweat gland.
An apparatus for non-invasively monitoring a concentration of a constituent in plasma of a patient, comprising:
- an stimulator for stimulating sweat secretion in a localized area of patient's body;
- and
- a modifier for modifying sweat gland secretion in the localized area so that a concentration of the constituent in sweat secreted in the localized area has a known relationship to the concentration of the constituent in the plasma.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.