Patent ID: 6226082
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A device for testing a biological liquid sample for the presence or concentration of glucose comprising:(a) a substrate defining a surface which has a material disposed thereon which material said glucose will become associated therewith, wherein the material consist essentially of electrically conductive particles and wherein the surface is adapted to accommodate the liquid sample;(b) means for generating radiation and directing the radiation to be incident on said surface of the substrate so that radiation is emitted from the electrically conductive particles wherein the radiation generation means comprises:(i) a radiation emitting laser;(ii) a fiber optic device having an input end that is coupled to the laser for delivering the radiation to irradiate a region of the substrate having a biological liquid sample thereon; and(iii) a first optical filter having an input end that is coupled to a distal end of the fiber optic device that filters radiation and an output end for passing the laser radiation;(c) means for detecting the emitted radiation that comprises:(i) an optical concentration means that reflects radiation and an aperture at a distal end that collects radiation, including Raman-scattered radiation from biological liquid sample, and an output path at the proximal end coupled to the output end of the first optical filter; and(ii) a fiber optic bundle having an input end that is coupled to a second optical filter for passing the Raman-scattered radiation and an output end for delivering the Raman-scattered radiation.