Device for capturing thermal spectra from tissue

A device for use with a noninvasive optical measurement system for capturing thermal spectra from living tissue, said device comprising:

• a window holder;
• and
• a window connected to said window holder, said window comprising a material of high thermal conductivity so as to permit thermal spectra to pass through said window;
• said device defining a skin contact surface configured for placement in intimate thermal contact with the skin of a patient;
• said device further defining a system contact surface opposite said skin contact surface;
• said system contact surface being configured for removable placement against said noninvasive optical measurement system;
• further comprising a heating element disposed upon said window, said heating element comprising a grid structure which in turn comprises a plurality of bridging sub-busses spaced apart from one another and a plurality of heating wires spaced apart from one another, and at least two busses disposed on opposite sides of said heating element;
• wherein said heating wires are spaced apart from one another by about 0.5 millimeters on center.

A device for consistently interfacing a noninvasive optical measurement system with a location of skin on a patient for capturing thermal spectra therefrom, said device comprising:

• a window holder having an aperture;
• a window covering said aperture on said window holder, said window comprising a material of high thermal conductivity so as to permit thermal spectra to pass through said window;
• and
• a heating element disposed upon said window, said heating element comprising a grid structure which includes a plurality of bridging sub-busses, a plurality of heating wires, and at least two busses disposed on opposite sides of said heating element.

An apparatus for use with a noninvasive optical measurement system, said apparatus comprising:

• a wearable window comprising a window holder having an aperture, a substrate covering said aperture, said substrate comprising a material of high thermal conductivity, and a heating element disposed upon said substrate;
• a first electrical connection comprising at least two contacts on the surface of said window holder, said contacts being in electrical communication with said heating element;
• an interface surface of said noninvasive optical measurement system, said interface surface including a window aperture;
• and
• a second electrical connection comprising at least two pins, projections biased towards a protruded state relative to said interface surface, said projections being in electrical communication with a power supply;
• wherein pressing said wearable window against said interface surface surges said projections away from said protruded state while urging said projections against said contacts.

A method for interfacing a noninvasive optical measurement system with skin of a patient, said method comprising:

• providing a wearable window comprising a window holder having an aperture, a substrate covering said aperture, said substrate comprising a material of high thermal conductivity, and a heating element disposed upon said substrate;
• mounting said wearable window onto the skin of the patient such that said heating element is placed into thermal communication with the skin of the patient;
• positioning said wearable window on an interface surface of said noninvasive optical measurement system such that a window aperture within said interface surface is centered and aligned with said aperture within the window holder;
• and
• establishing an electrical connection between said heating element and a power source;
• wherein said electrical connection comprises a first set of contacts on the surface of said window holder and a second set of contacts on said interface surface, said first set of contacts being in electrical communication with said heating element, said second set of contacts being in electrical communication with said power source, wherein pressing said wearable window against said interface surface places said first set of contacts in electrical contact with said second set of contacts.