JP6594302B2 - Concentration measurement of substances using a cooling device using endothermic reaction - Google Patents

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/838, filed Jun. 23, 2013, filed on June 23, 2013, entitled "Special Cold Pack for Non-investigative Glucometer or other measurements of body substitutes". Allegedly benefit from US Patents 119, 119. This application is based on US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 607,903, filed Oct. 28, 2009, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Non-Invasive Measurement of a Substance With a Body”, “Ap. and Methods for Non-Invasive Measurement of a Substitutance With a Body "and US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 101,859 filed on Apr. 11, 2008. , “Method for Non-Inverse Analysis of a Substance Concentration With a Body” Filed on September 15, 2010 which is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 883,063. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference.

    The apparatus and methods described herein relate to mixture cooling devices such as cold packs and measurements using infrared and determination of the concentration of a substance in a subject's body.

In US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 883,063 filed on Sep. 15, 2010 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 101,859 filed on Apr. 11, 2008, glucose or other bodily substances. A non-invasive measurement method is described. The method is
1. Cooling the skin at the measurement point;
2. Allowing the recovery of skin temperature; and
3. Taking multiple measurements while the skin temperature recovers, thereby analyzing the concentration of glucose (or other bodily substance) in the blood;
including.

  US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 883,063 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 101,859 describe that any suitable cooling device can be used, including a Peltier element as one possibility. There is a lack of description of other means and methods for use in cooling.

  Several embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is the schematic which shows the structure regarding a cold pack. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the assembly of a cold pack on a blood glucose meter and means for moving the cold pack after cooling so that measurement can be started. FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a special cold pack. FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a special cold pack. FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a special cold pack. FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a special cold pack. FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a special cold pack. FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a special cold pack. Perspective cut-out of the front end holding mechanism that holds the cold pack and allows the cold pack to be inserted and removed, indicating the position of the cold pack that has been inserted to contact the patient's skin and pressed forward of the mechanism FIG. A front end holding mechanism that holds the cold pack and allows the cold pack to be inserted and removed, indicating the location of the mechanism and cold pack when the cold pack is moved behind the mechanism for removal. FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of a cold pack with the cold pack separated from the outer shell. FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of a cold pack with the cold pack separated from the outer shell. FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of a cold pack with the cold pack separated from the outer shell. FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of a cold pack with the cold pack separated from the outer shell.

  The devices and methods described herein relate to methods for noninvasive glucose measurement. This measurement is performed while the skin recovers to the original temperature after cooling the skin in the measurement area. The apparatus and method further discloses means and methods for cooling the skin.

  This apparatus and method describes special means of the device and method for use to cool the skin prior to the start of measurement.

  The cooling element is a cold pack having a special structure shown in the drawing.

  Known instant cold packs include two fused plastic bags, one enclosed inside the other. Small inner bags usually contain water and have perforations that can be breached when pressure is applied. The outer bag contains a substance that has an endothermic chemical reaction with water (eg, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea). When the two materials are mixed, the temperature in the cold pack cools rapidly (ie, decreases) due to endothermic reaction. The use of this known cold pack configuration is disadvantageous: (1) it is necessary to shake the improvised cold pack vigorously in order to mix well to obtain the desired cooling effect; (2) Immediate cold packs are flexible and soft, so it is not easy to fit in a fixed place in the blood glucose meter.

  The cold pack described herein has a rigid structure with special edges for insertion into a blood glucose meter. For example, the cold pack is made of a plastic material and can be made by vacuum forming techniques. The lower cavity contains a substance that has an endothermic reaction with water, and the upper cavity contains water. The upper part of the cold pack is shaped to have a “spring load” effect in which one or more sharp daggers pierce a cavity containing water and then return to its original position by the action of a spring. Yes. Thereby, water is discharged into the cavity containing the substance having an endothermic chemical reaction. As a result, the need to shake the cold pack violently is reduced. A safety sticker may be attached to the top of the cold pack to reduce unnecessary activation of the cold pack during handling and / or shipping.

  Other parts of the apparatus and method were focused and positioned towards the cooled area to position and hold the cold pack at the desired location to cool at approximately 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit). It is a mechanism for automatically removing the cold pack while holding the measuring device in a state. This mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a blood glucose meter and a cold pack holder at the front end of the blood glucose meter. This cage is made of plastic material and forms an approximately 90 ° arc and has two parts: (1) a cold pack cage and (2) an aperture through which infrared radiation passes. The front end of the plastic arc is designed to be on the focal plane of the blood glucose meter optical system. After the cold pack is activated, the cold pack is inserted into a portion of the plastic arc. After the blood glucose meter is activated and after a predetermined time, the arc is moved by a motor or other means so that it is directed to the aperture and infrared information reaches the blood glucose meter optics. In summary, this simple structure achieves two objectives: to keep the blood glucose meter oriented toward the cooled area and to keep it focused on the cooled area. Is done.

  Accordingly, the measurement apparatus described herein includes an infrared detector, a cooling device, and a device configured to measure a body surface temperature. The cooling device includes a mixing mechanism configured to mix two different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when mixed and a contact mechanism configured to cool the body surface.

  More specifically, another measuring device includes a cooling device that includes two separate and different substances that when combined have an endothermic reaction and reduce the temperature of the cooling device. The mixing mechanism of the cooling device is configured to mix two different materials. The contact mechanism is configured to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature. The temperature measuring device is configured to measure the temperature of the test surface of the subject body while the temperature rises from a lower temperature. The infrared detector is configured to measure infrared radiation that is emitted from or absorbed by the test surface of the subject body during the temperature rise. The data processor is configured to determine the concentration of the substance in the subject's body using the measured temperature of the test surface and the measured infrared.

  For example, the processor may be configured to determine the rate of change of temperature of the inspection surface. The processor may also be configured to determine the concentration using the rate of temperature change as the measured temperature. The cooling device may include a rigid outer shell having a base, a lid attached to the base, and an opening through the lid. The flexible bag may have a size and shape configured to fit within the outer shell with the lid closed and to be exposed through the lid and above the opening. The flexible bag includes a first material out of two different materials. The pouch in the flexible bag may include a second material of two different materials, the pouch configured to release the second material to the first material when the pouch is opened.

  The measurement method described herein also includes mixing two different materials that react endothermically, using the mixed materials to reduce the temperature of the cooling device, and removing the cooling device from the body. Contacting the surface. The method includes lowering the temperature of the body surface and measuring infrared radiation absorbed or emitted from the body while the temperature recovers. The concentration of the substance in the body is determined using the measured infrared.

  More specifically, another measurement method involves using a cooling device that includes two distinct and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when mixed. The method includes mixing two different materials using a mixing mechanism of the cooling device and reducing the temperature of the cooling device using the combined material. A contact mechanism is used to bring the test surface of the subject body into contact with the cooling device, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature. After reducing the temperature of the test surface using a cooling device, the method uses the temperature measurement device to measure the test surface temperature of the subject's body while the test surface temperature rises from a lower temperature. Including doing. Using an infrared detector, infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the test surface is measured while the temperature rises from a lower temperature. Using the data processor, the concentration of the substance in the subject's body is determined using the measured temperature of the test surface and the measured infrared.

  The cooling device further includes a rigid outer shell that includes a base, a lid attached to the base, and an opening through the lid. The flexible bag has a size and shape configured to fit within the outer shell with the lid closed and to be exposed above the opening through the lid. The flexible bag includes a first material out of two different materials. The pouch in the flexible bag includes a second material of two different materials that is configured to release the second material into the first material when the pouch is opened. The cooling device includes a mounting edge on the opposite side of the hard shell. The mounting edge is configured to attach the cooling device in place to the measuring device.

  For example, the mounting edge may include a peripheral flange on the lid and a peripheral flange on the base, the flanges overlapping each other with the lid closed.

  Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates the general configuration of the cold pack (1).

  The cold pack includes two small containers, possibly outer (2) and inner (3), made of plastic material, probably made by vacuum forming. The lower cavity of the container (2) contains a substance (8) having an endothermic chemical reaction with water. The upper cavity (9) of the container (3) contains water. The hermetic cover (4) is pierced at the bottom of the container (3), so that the water is drained downward and mixes with the substance in the container (2), so that at least one sharp cone (5) A spring-loaded design is provided. The three layers of container (2), container (3), and cover (4) are heat sealed together to create a hard edge (7). The solid edge (7) is used to attach the cold pack to the blood glucose meter device. A safety sticker (6) is placed on the spring cover (4) to prevent accidental activation of the cold pack during handling and transport.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, the manner in which the cold pack holder is assembled into the blood glucose meter device 10 is illustrated in FIG.

  The cold pack retainer is placed in the blood glucose meter device described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 883,063 and US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 101,859. The attached motor (14) can rotate the plastic arc (16). The plastic arc (16) holds the cold pack (18) in one part and the aperture for passing infrared rays in the other part. The front edge of the arc (16) is located on the focal plane of the blood glucose meter. Before the measurement is started, the motor (14) rotates the arc (16) so that the cold pack (18) is in contact with the skin at the desired measurement point. After a predetermined time, the motor (14) rotates the arc (16) to move the cold pack (18) away from the infrared path and the second part of the arc (16) is measured. So that the desired aperture can be maintained. The motor (14) is controlled by the microprocessor (12) of the blood glucose meter device.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an additional embodiment of a special cold pack.

  The upper portion 60 and the lower portion 62 are made from a thin plastic sheet by vacuum forming and separated by a barrier (eg, a portion 61 made from aluminum foil). The upper portion 60 has one or more protrusions (i.e., a dagger shaped tip). These three parts are fused together, for example by thermal fusion. The cavity of portion 62 is filled with a substance that has an endothermic chemical reaction with water (eg, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea). The cavity of the upper part 60 is filled with water. To activate, when pressure is applied to the top of the upper portion 60, the dagger 67 punctures the aluminum foil and the water is mixed with ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea, thereby producing the desired cooling effect. .

  Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of a special cold pack and FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view thereof.

  In this embodiment, a change from the previous embodiment (FIG. 3) is that a protruding pointed dagger 66 for piercing the barrier 64 is disposed on the outer periphery of the upper portion 63, and these daggers 66 is shorter and stronger (due to being made by vacuum forming) than the dagger described in the previous embodiment. The upper part 63 is fused to the lower part 65. The steps for activating this special cold pack are the same as those described above.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates an additional embodiment of a cold pack.

  Figure 2 illustrates a new concept for a cold pack that fits within a non-invasive glucose meter. The cold pack 70 has an outer plastic bag 71 containing ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea and an inner plastic bag 72 containing water, and has perforations so as to be easily broken. The volume of the cold pack 70 fits within the outer shell 80 (which can be made by vacuum forming). To activate the cold pack 70, pressure is applied briefly to the outer bag 71. This breaks the inner bag 72 and mixes the water with ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea. The cold pack is then inserted into the outer shell 80. Outer shell 80 uses resilient oppositions 82a and 82b to resiliently fit and close assembly 81 as shown in FIG. 5B.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates an additional embodiment of a cold pack.

  The embodiment of FIG. 6 differs from the previous embodiment by having an additional plastic portion 90 made by injection molding. Pressing the upper portion 91 of the cold pack moves the portion 90 downward like a piston, pierces the barrier portion 92 (eg, aluminum foil, etc.) and then contains ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea Push water down into the lower portion 93.

  Referring now to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), an additional embodiment of a cold pack retention mechanism is illustrated.

  The cold pack 85 is inserted through the plastic housing opening 87 and locked in place by the mechanical arm 86. The mechanical arm 86 is spring loaded by a spring 97 mounted on the pin 96. In this position, the front end 98 of the cold pack 85 is at the focal plane of the device and contacts the subject's skin in the desired area. A motor 88 moves the cold pack forward or backward through the mechanical arm 89.

  FIG. 7B shows the position where the motor retracts the cold pack to the rear position. The pin 95 abuts against the mechanical arm 94 during the movement, and is pushed to the side by the forward inclination of the mechanical arm 94, thereby moving the mechanical arm 86 to the side. The cold pack then falls and an infrared path is reached that reaches the optics. The process of the cold pack front end holding mechanism ensures that the optical system is in focus and the optical system is held in focus.

  8A-8D illustrate additional embodiments of special cold packs. In the figure, 180 is a cold pack including an outer bag 181 made of a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. This bag holds ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, or urea, or other endothermic or dissolved material, and an inner plastic bag 182 that holds water. Inner bag 182 typically has perforations so that it can be easily torn by applying force.

  After applying force and shaking the cold pack 180, the cold pack 180 is inserted into the outer shell 185 illustrated in FIG. 8B. The outer shell 185 can be made from polyvinyl chloride by vacuum forming. The outer shell 185 has an opening 186 and a concave portion 188 for pressing the cold pack into the opening. The outer shell 185 is an integral piece having a base 183, a lid 184, a pivot shaft 187, and a resilient portion 189, and these parts allow the outer shell 185 to be closed as illustrated in FIG. 8C. it can. The closed shell 190 has a cold pack 191 on the inside. The cold pack 191 can directly contact the forehead through the opening.

  In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in terms of more or less structural and methodological language. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specific features described and illustrated. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention are claimed in any form or modification that falls within the proper scope of the appended claims as appropriately interpreted according to an equivalent theory.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cold pack 2 Container 3 Container 4 Cover 5 Conical part 6 Safety sticker 7 Edge 8 Endothermic substance 9 Cavity 10 Blood glucose meter device 12 Microprocessor 14 Motor 16 Arc 18 Cold pack 60 Upper part 61 Wall part 62 Lower part 63 Upper part 64 Barrier part 65 Lower part 66 Dagger part 67 Dagger part 70 Cold pack 71 Outer bag 72 Inner bag 80 Outer shell 81 Assembly 82a / b Rebound part 85 Cold pack 86 Arm 87 Opening 88 Motor 89 Arm 90 Piston portion 91 Upper portion 92 Barrier portion 93 Lower portion 94 Arm 95 Pin 96 Pin 97 Spring 98 Front end portion 180 Cold pack 181 Outer bag 182 Inner bag 183 Base portion 184 Lid portion 185 Outer shell 186 Open portion 187 Rotating shaft 188 Concave portion 189 Bullet Part 190 closed shell 191 activated cold pack 192 opening

Claims (13)

A cooling device comprising two separate and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when combined and reduce the temperature of the cooling device;
A mixing mechanism of the cooling device configured to mix the two different materials;
A contact mechanism configured to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature;
A temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature of the test surface of the subject body while the temperature rises from the lower temperature;
An infrared detector configured to measure infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the test surface of the subject body during the temperature rise;
A data processor configured to determine a concentration of a substance in the subject's body using the temperature of the test surface measured by the temperature measuring device and the infrared measured by the infrared detector. A measuring device,
The contact mechanism is
A spring-loaded first mechanical arm configured to hold the cooling device and position a front end of the cooling device at a focal plane of the measuring device;
A motor connected to the first mechanical arm by a second mechanical arm, the motor configured to retract the cooling device held by the first mechanical arm to a rear position inside the measuring device When,
A pin connected to the first machine arm, when the cooling device reaches the rear position, contacts the third machine arm and pushes the first machine arm to the side to release the cooling device Configured with pins, and
Including a measuring device. A cooling device comprising two separate and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when combined and reduce the temperature of the cooling device;
A mixing mechanism of the cooling device configured to mix the two different materials;
A contact mechanism configured to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature;
A temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature of the test surface of the subject body while the temperature rises from the lower temperature;
An infrared detector configured to measure infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the test surface of the subject body during the temperature rise;
A data processor configured to determine a concentration of a substance in the subject's body using the temperature of the test surface measured by the temperature measuring device and the infrared measured by the infrared detector;
A measuring device comprising:
The cooling device is
A hard shell including a base, a lid attached to the base, and an opening through the lid;
A size and shape configured to fit within the outer shell with the lid portion closed and to be exposed above the opening through the lid portion, the first of the two different materials. A flexible bag containing the substance;
A pouch in the flexible bag that includes a second material of the two different materials, the pouch configured to release the second material to the first material when the pouch is opened. pouch and the including, measurement apparatus. A cooling device comprising two separate and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when combined and reduce the temperature of the cooling device;
A mixing mechanism of the cooling device configured to mix the two different materials;
A contact mechanism configured to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature;
A temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature of the test surface of the subject body while the temperature rises from the lower temperature;
An infrared detector configured to measure infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the test surface of the subject body during the temperature increase;
A data processor configured to determine a concentration of a substance in the subject's body using the temperature of the test surface measured by the temperature measuring device and the infrared measured by the infrared detector;
A measuring device comprising:
The cooling device is
A hard plastic shell comprising a sealed lower cavity containing an endothermic substance with water and a sealed upper cavity containing water;
One or more pointed daggers in the upper cavity;
A spring-loaded puncture mechanism configured to return the pointed dagger to its original position after being punctured through the lower cavity;
The including, measurement apparatus.   The measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first substance is selected from ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, urea, and combinations thereof. The measurement apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising an attachment edge on an opposite side of the hard outer shell, the attachment edge configured to attach the cooling device to the measurement apparatus.   The measuring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attachment edge portion includes a peripheral flange of the lid portion and a peripheral flange of the base portion, and the two flanges overlap each other when the lid portion is closed. The base and the lid are an integral piece,
The cooling device is
A pivot that connects the base to the lid;
A concave portion of the base configured to press the flexible bag through the lid and into the opening;
A snap portion configured to close the lid portion to the base portion;
The measurement apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: Using a cooling device comprising two separate and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when mixed together;
Using the mixing mechanism of the cooling device to mix the two different substances;
Using the mixed material to lower the temperature of the cooling device;
Using a contact mechanism to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature;
After lowering the temperature of the test surface using the cooling device, the test surface of the subject body while the temperature of the test surface rises from the lower temperature using a temperature measuring device Measuring the temperature of
Using an infrared detector to measure infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the inspection surface while the temperature rises from the lower temperature;
Using a data processor to determine the concentration of the substance in the subject's body using the temperature of the test surface measured by the temperature measuring device and the infrared measured by the infrared detector; seen including,
Using the contact mechanism comprises:
Holding the cooling device in a spring-loaded first mechanical arm and positioning the front end of the cooling device in the focal plane of the measuring device;
After lowering the temperature, a motor connected to the first mechanical arm by a second mechanical arm retracts the cooling device held by the first mechanical arm to a rear position inside the measuring device. When,
A pin connected to the first mechanical arm contacts the third mechanical arm when the cooling device reaches the rearward position, pushes the first mechanical arm to the side and releases the cooling device;
Including measurement methods. Using a cooling device comprising two separate and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when mixed together;
Using the mixing mechanism of the cooling device to mix the two different substances;
Using the mixed material to lower the temperature of the cooling device;
Using a contact mechanism to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature;
After lowering the temperature of the test surface using the cooling device, the test surface of the subject body while the temperature of the test surface rises from the lower temperature using a temperature measuring device Measuring the temperature of
Using an infrared detector to measure infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the inspection surface while the temperature rises from the lower temperature;
Using a data processor to determine the concentration of the substance in the subject's body using the temperature of the test surface measured by the temperature measuring device and the infrared measured by the infrared detector;
Including
The cooling device is
A hard shell including a base, a lid attached to the base, and an opening through the lid;
A flexible and containing size and shape that fits within the outer shell with the lid closed and is exposed above the opening through the lid and includes a first material of the two different materials. With a bag,
A pouch in the flexible bag comprising a second material of the two different materials, the pouch releasing the second material into the first material when the pouch is opened; including measurement method. Using a cooling device comprising two separate and different substances that exhibit an endothermic reaction when mixed together;
Using the mixing mechanism of the cooling device to mix the two different substances;
Using the mixed material to lower the temperature of the cooling device;
Using a contact mechanism to bring the cooling device into contact with the test surface of the subject body, thereby reducing the temperature of the test surface of the subject body to a lower temperature;
After lowering the temperature of the test surface using the cooling device, the test surface of the subject body while the temperature of the test surface rises from the lower temperature using a temperature measuring device Measuring the temperature of
Measuring infrared radiation emitted from or absorbed by the inspection surface while the temperature rises from the lower temperature using an infrared detector;
Using a data processor to determine the concentration of the substance in the subject's body using the temperature of the test surface measured by the temperature measuring device and the infrared measured by the infrared detector;
Including
The cooling device is
A hard plastic shell comprising a sealed lower cavity containing an endothermic substance with water and a sealed upper cavity containing water;
One or more pointed daggers in the upper cavity;
A spring-loaded puncture mechanism that returns the pointed dagger to its original position after being pressed and punctured into the lower cavity;
Including measurement methods. The measurement method according to claim 9 , further comprising attaching the cooling device to a measurement device using an attachment edge on an opposite side of the hard outer shell. The measurement method according to claim 11 , wherein the attachment edge portion includes a peripheral flange of the lid portion and a peripheral flange of the base portion, and the two flanges overlap each other with the lid portion closed. The base and the lid are an integral piece,
The cooling device is
A pivot that connects the base to the lid;
A concave portion of the base that presses the flexible bag through the lid and into the opening;
A snap portion that closes the lid portion to the base;
The measurement method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

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