Patent ID: 6494576
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for spectrophotometric measurement of the concentration of a selected component in the blood flow in the choroid and retinal vascular structures of the eye, said method comprising:determining the characteristic spectrophotometric absorption curve of the selected component, the characteristic spectrophotometric absorption curve including, but not limited to, the wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum most highly absorbed by the selected component; directing a source of electromagnetic spectrum containing one or more wavelengths through the cornea of the eye to the chorio-retinal vascular structures within the eye; measuring the intensity of the single or multiple analytical wavelengths directed through the cornea; measuring the intensity of the analytical wavelength(s) emerging from the chorio-retinal vascular structures and exiting the eye through the cornea; subtracting the intensity of the analytical wavelength(s) emerging from the chorio-retinal vascular structures from the intensity of the analytical wavelength(s) directed toward the cornea to determine the portion of the analytical wavelength(s) absorbed by the blood in the chorio-retinal vascular structures; and calculating the concentration of the selected component in the blood in the chorio-retinal vascular structure based on the portion of the analytical wavelength(s) absorbed by the blood in the chorio-retinal vascular structures.