초록 ▼

The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in bodily fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pul

The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in bodily fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pulse temporal width and irradiation spot size, the pulses precisely irradiate the skin to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy portions of the skin. After irradiation, interstitial fluid is collected into a container or left on the skin. The interstitial fluid is then tested for a desired analyte to approximate the analyte concentration in other bodily fluids. Alternatively, after the forced formation of a microblister, the epidermis covering the microblister is lysed and the interstitial fluid is subsequently collected and tested.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of measuring analyte concentrations in bodily fluids,comprising the steps of:a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to ablate the skin at least as deep as the stratum corneum, but not as deep as the capillary layer; b) firing the laser to create a site of ablation, the s

1. A method of measuring analyte concentrations in bodily fluids,comprising the steps of:a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to ablate the skin at least as deep as the stratum corneum, but not as deep as the capillary layer; b) firing the laser to create a site of ablation, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5.0 cm; c) collecting a sample of interstitial fluid released by steps (a) and (b); and d) testing the interstitial fluid for analyte concentration.