Glucose fluorescence monitor and method

Apparatus for determining the concentration of glucose in a sample, comprising:

• a light source that emits narrowband excitation light that is directed at a sample to produce return light from the sample, the excitation light having a wavelength between about 250 nanometers and about 350 nanometers;
• a sensor that monitors the return light and generates a first signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a first wavelength band, the first wavelength band being within a range that is about 30 to 50 nanometers longer than the wavelength of the excitation light, and wherein the sensor also generates a second signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a second wavelength band, the second wavelength band extending from about 380 nanometers to about 420 nanometers;
• and
• a processor that processes the first and second signals to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample.

A method of determining the concentration of glucose in a sample, comprising:

• directing excitation light at a sample to cause the sample to produce return light, such return light including fluorescent light produced by any glucose present in the sample;
• monitoring the return light and generating first and second signals, the first signal indicative of the intensity of the return light within a first wavelength band and the second signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a second wavelength band;
• and
• processing the first and second signals to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample.

A method of determining the concentration of glucose in a sample, comprising:

• directing narrowband excitation light having a wavelength between about 250 nanometers and about 350 nanometers at a sample to cause the sample to produce return light, such return light including fluorescent light produced by any glucose present in the sample;
• monitoring the return light and generating first and second signals, the first signal indicative of the return light within a first wavelength band, the first wavelength band being within a range that is about 30 to 50 nanometers longer than the wavelength of the excitation light, and the second signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a second wavelength band;
• the second wavelength band extending from about 380 nanometers to about 420 nanometers;
• and
• processing the first and second signals to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample.

Apparatus for determining the concentration of glucose in the tissues of a person's mouth, comprising:

• a light source that emits excitation light;
• a first fiber-optic waveguide transmitting the excitation light from the light source to the tissues of a person's mouth to cause the tissues to produce return light, such return light including fluorescent light produced by any glucose present in the tissues;
• a sensor that monitors the return light;
• a second fiber-optic waveguide transmitting the return light from the tissues of the mouth to the sensor, wherein the sensor generates a glucose fluorescence signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a wavelength band associated with the direct fluorescence of glucose and generates a reference signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a reference wavelength band;
• and
• a probe housing the first and second fiber-optic waveguides, wherein the probe is adapted to enter the mouth;
• and
• a processor that processes the glucose fluorescence signal and the reference signal to determine the concentration of glucose in the tissues of a person's mouth.

A method of determining the concentration of glucose in a sample, comprising:

• directing excitation light at a sample to cause the sample to produce return light, such return light including fluorescent light produced by any glucose present in the sample;
• monitoring the return light and generating a glucose fluorescence signal and a reference signal, the glucose fluorescence signal indicative of the intensity of the return light within a wavelength band associated with the direct fluorescence of glucose and the reference signal indicative of the intensity of return light within a reference wavelength band;
• and
• processing the glucose fluorescence signal and the reference signal to determine the concentration of glucose in the sample.