Patent ID: 7406345
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A hand-held fluorescence photometer for measuring an analyte level from an ocular fluid comprising: (a) at least a first irradiating means for providing a pilot beam when in use, wherein said pilot beam is irradiated onto an eye of a user from outside the cornea of the eye to excite a pupil fluorescence or first fluorescence wherein said pupil fluorescence travels along a first optical path; (b) a first detecting means located on the first optical path for detecting the intensity of the pupil fluorescence within a given wavelength range; (c) a second irradiating means for providing a measurement beam when in use, wherein said measurement beam is irradiated onto the eye of a user from outside the cornea of the eye to excite an ocular analyte sensor, wherein said ocular analyte sensor is adapted to be in contact with an ocular fluid and wherein said ocular analyte sensor, upon irradiation with said second irradiating means, is adapted to emit a total fluorescence having at least a second fluorescence wavelength band, wherein said second fluorescence travels along a second optical path; (d) a second detecting means located on the second optical path for detecting the intensity of the second fluorescence at a given wavelength; wherein, when the fluorescence photometer is in use, said pilot beam is positioned at a fixed angle and distance from the measurement beam wherein said angle is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees; and (e) a correlation means for correlating the intensity of the pupil fluorescence to the distance of the fluorescence photometer to the eye and thereby determining an exact position of the fluorescence photometer for a measurement, and only providing said measurement once the exact position has been reached.