U.S. patent application number 11/680927 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for methods and devices for non-invasively measuring quantitative information of substances in living organisms.
Invention is credited to Valeri Armenakyan, Gagik Farmanyan, Minas Hambardzumyan, Maksim Malkin, Vahram Mouradian.
Application Number | 20070149876 11/680927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34976112 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070149876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mouradian; Vahram ; et
al. |
June 28, 2007 |
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR NON-INVASIVELY MEASURING QUANTITATIVE
INFORMATION OF SUBSTANCES IN LIVING ORGANISMS
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods of determining the amount of a
substance in a living organism. In one embodiment, the method
comprises: applying an electrical signature signal to the living
organism, wherein the electrical signature signal corresponds to a
predetermined amount of the substance; measuring the response of
the living organism to the applied signature signal; and
determining whether an elevated response has resulted from applying
the electrical signature signal, if so, then determining the amount
of the substance in the living organism from the predetermined
amount of the substance.
Inventors: |
Mouradian; Vahram; (Plano,
TX) ; Armenakyan; Valeri; (Plano, TX) ;
Malkin; Maksim; (Simpheropol, UA) ; Farmanyan;
Gagik; (Plano, TX) ; Hambardzumyan; Minas;
(Plano, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARR LLP
670 FOUNDERS SQUARE
900 JACKSON STREET
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
34976112 |
Appl. No.: |
11/680927 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11074283 |
Mar 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
11680927 |
Mar 1, 2007 |
|
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|
60550913 |
Mar 6, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/365 ;
600/309; 600/547 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0537 20130101;
A61B 5/14532 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/365 ;
600/309; 600/547 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for measuring a substance in a living organism, the
apparatus comprising: a processor in communication with at least
one memory device; a memory device in communication with the
processor, wherein the memory device includes a database of
electrical signature signals, wherein each electrical signature
signal corresponds to different amounts of the substance in the
living organism; an impedance meter in communication with the
processor; at least two electrodes coupled to the impedance meter
such that the impedance meter can measure the impedance between the
at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are
also coupled to the memory device; a signal amplifier in
communication with the processor and the impedance meter, wherein
the signal amplifier is adapted to amplify signals from the
impedance meter; an analog-to-digital converter in communication
with the amplifier and the processor, wherein the analog-to-digital
converter is adapted to convert analog signals from the amplifier
to digital signals before sending the digital signals to the
processor; a reset circuit in communication with the processor and
coupled to the at least two electrodes.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the impedance meter further
comprises: an impedance indicator circuit for producing a voltage
representing the impedance between the at least two electrodes; an
amplifier in communication with the impedance indicator circuit,
wherein the amplifier is adapted to amplify the voltage from the
impedance indicator circuit; and an analog-to-digital converter in
communication with the amplifier and the processor, wherein the
analog-to-digital converter is adapted for converting analog
signals from the amplifier to digital signals.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reset circuit is adapted
to discharge residual voltage between the at least two
electrodes.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reset circuit is adapted
to change the polarity of the at least two electrodes.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing which
partially surrounds the processor, wherein the housing is adapted
for engagement with a strap means such that the apparatus may be
worn on a wrist.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two electrodes
are made in part from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver,
metal and stainless steel.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user interface,
wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen and a flat
screen display.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of, and claims the benefit of
the filing date of, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/074,283 entitled "Methods And Devices For Non-Invasively
Measuring Quantitative Information Of Substances In Living
Organisms," filed Mar. 6, 2005, which claims the benefit of the
filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/550,913, entitled "Methods And Devices For Non-Invasively
Measuring Quantitative Information Of Substances In Living
Organisms," filed on Mar. 6, 2004, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates in general to medical measuring
devices and in particular to methods and devices for non-invasively
measuring quantitative information of substances in living
organisms.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] The living organism and its functioning systems are sources
of extremely weak electromagnetic oscillations in a broad spectrum
of frequencies. Several holistic therapeutic processes take
advantage of such principles. These therapeutic processes utilize
specific ultra fine oscillation information and are generally known
as "bioresonance therapy."
[0004] The term bioresonance therapy ("BRT") was coined in 1987 by
the Brugemann Institute for "therapy using the patient's own
electromagnetic oscillations." Such principles can be traced to the
physician Dr. F. Morrell, who presented the use of his idea for the
first time in 1977. Dr. Morrell's postulated that all disease and
their pre-conditions are accompanied or caused by electromagnetic
oscillations. According to Dr. Morrell's postulations, there is no
pathological phenomenon without the presence of pathological
oscillations in or around the body.
[0005] Pathological electromagnetic oscillations are active
alongside the healthy oscillations in the body of every patient.
Because the patent's own oscillations or signals are
electromagnetic in nature, they can be detected by using electrodes
and electromagnetic measurement devices. Using what is known as a
separator, the harmonious oscillations, which are virtually
identical in all humans, may be filtered out through a filter.
Interfering frequencies, which may be caused by pathogens, are not
captured by the filter. Thus, the separator only resonates with
harmonious frequencies. In this way, it is possible to separate
harmonious and disharmonious frequencies.
[0006] Diabetes is a life threatening disease which affects an
estimated 20 million Americans, out of whom 50% are not aware of
having it. The latest statistical estimates indicate there are
approximately 125 million people diagnosed with diabetes worldwide,
and that number is expected to rise 220+million by the year 2010.
Early detection of diabetes is manageable allowing those affected
to live longer and healthier lives. Blood glucose level monitoring
and tracking provides valuable information to help control patients
with diabetes. Diabetic people who using insulin regularly need to
check the glucose level three or more times per day. This process
of monitoring the glucose level allows doctors to have prompt and
primary information in detecting the cure for disease.
[0007] During 1970's monitoring glucose level instruments were
invented which based on chemical test strips which could react with
drawn blood. Today, there are sophisticated electronic devices
which are used to determine blood glucose levels; however, these
devices still use invasive techniques to draw a sample of blood
from the patient. However such techniques are invasive,
inconvenient, and sometimes painful. Rather than use invasive
techniques, such as blood tests, it would be desirable to use
electromagnetic oscillations to determine the amounts of certain
substances, such a blood glucose, within a living organism.
Additionally, it would also be useful to use oscillations of
various substances to determine the levels of any substance in a
living organism.
[0008] What is needed, therefore, is a method and/or apparatus
which can non-invasively test for substances, such as glucose
levels in blood or the body in general by using electromagnetic
oscillations.
SUMMARY
[0009] The previously mentioned needs are fulfilled with various
embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, in one
embodiment, a method and system is provided for non-invasively
measuring a level of a substance level in a living organism, the
method comprises: measuring the electrical potential between points
on different meridians of vegetative system, or between different
points on the skin of the organism; storing the measured value as
reference point; applying a plurality of low current electrical
signals, where each signal corresponds to a previously extracted
electrical signal derived from a known concentration of the
substance to determine a maximum difference between the reference
point and the responses to the electrical signals, then determining
the amount of the substance in the living organism by using the
maximum difference and previously determined table to correlate the
amount of the substance with the maximum difference.
[0010] In another aspect, there is disclosed a method of
determining a substance in a living organism, the method
comprising: applying an electrical signature signal to the living
organism, wherein the electrical signature signal corresponds to a
predetermined amount of the substance; measuring the response of
the living organism to the applied signature signal; and
determining whether an elevated response has resulted from applying
the electrical signature, if so, then determining the amount of the
substance in the living organism from the predetermined amount of
the substance.
[0011] In another aspect, the detection of the "body response" is
based on the monitoring of the level of convergence of sequentially
generated curves of conductivity change versus time for the same
substance signature wave applied to the body between two points on
the skin.
[0012] In another aspect, there is a process for the matching of
self-oscillation frequencies of different concentrations of glucose
molecules in the human blood with similar frequencies of pre-known
concentrations of glucose in reference solutions. As a result of
such a resonance or "GlucoResonance", the electrical potential
between two predefined acupuncture points ("aculevel") on a human
body changes significantly. This change represents the difference
between the measured aculevel with and without GlucoResonance.
[0013] One aspect uses an internal database of self-oscillation
frequencies extracted from hundreds of biological solutions with
different levels of glucose, covering the range of blood glucose
levels from 10 mg/dl to 600 mg/dl. In order to test for glucose in
the blood, a low-current electrical signal for every entry in the
reference database may be applied to a patient at predetermined
points on the skin or acupuncture points. These electrical signals
are applied at points where the electrical potential has been
previously measured to establish a calibration aculevel. Then the
measured aculevel for every data point is compared with the
calibration aculevel. A large disturbance/change between these
values suggests the blood glucose level in the patient.
[0014] In other aspects, there is disclosed an apparatus for
measuring a substance in a living organism, the apparatus may
comprise: a processor means; at least two electrode means for
applying and receiving signals, an impedance measuring means for
determining the impedance between the at least two electrode means;
a memory means for storing a database of electrical signature
signals, wherein each electrical signature signal corresponds to
different amounts of a substance; and a means for applying the
electrical signature signals to the at least two electrode
means.
[0015] These and other features, and advantages, will be more
clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important to note
the drawings are not intended to represent the only form of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram illustrating an impedance
meter which could be used in various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 1c is a schematic diagram illustrating a reset circuit
which could be used in various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a general process for non-invasively
measuring quantitative information of substances in living
organisms.
[0020] FIG. 3a illustrates a detailed process for non-invasively
measuring quantitative information of substances in living
organisms.
[0021] FIG. 3b is a continuation of the process illustrated in FIG.
3a.
[0022] FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate graphs of curves which illustrate
impedance measurements occurring in the time domain.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6a is a perspective view illustrating a portable device
incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6b is an exploded perspective view of the portable
device illustrated in FIG. 6a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] It is understood, however, that the following disclosure
provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing
different features of the invention. Specific examples of
components, signals, messages, protocols, and arrangements are
described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of
course, merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention
from that described in the claims. Well-known elements are
presented without detailed description in order not to obscure the
present invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, details
unnecessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present
invention have been omitted in as much as such details are within
the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
Details regarding control circuitry or mechanisms described herein
are omitted; as such control circuits are within the skills of
persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[0027] Acupuncture points are well known in Chinese medicine. In
the 1950's, Dr. Reinhard Voll studied acupuncture and learned that
the body has about 2000 points on the skin which follow twenty
lines called meridians. According to Chinese traditional medicine,
meridians are channels of energy and that energy movement is called
Qi. Western studies have also shown that acupuncture points may be
found by mapping skin electrical resistances. Thus, acupuncture
points are specific superficial anatomic locations where the skin
on or over these points is lower in electrical resistance than the
surround skin, making acupuncture points strategic conductors of
electromagnetic signals in the body. Some studies have shown that
acupuncture point resistance is approximately half that of the
surrounding skin (or conductance is twice as higher). It is
possible, therefore, to measure the galvanic skin or other paths'
resistance or conductance at the acupuncture points to determine
the resonance point of self oscillating frequency of the organism.
In this case the human body is becoming the main detector of
resonance point, while the conductance between any two different
points on the body can be a secondary sensor of the body reaction
to the resonance event.
[0028] As discussed previously, in certain methods of therapy,
disharmonious frequencies (e.g., the signature frequency of certain
pathogens) may be filtered out and inverted. These inverted
frequencies as well as harmonious oscillations from the separator
may be fed back to the patient using an electrode. The patient's
own electromagnetic field reacts to the therapy signals and in turn
enters a modified pattern into the measurement devices and
separator. This process may be repeated and thus the pathological
signals in the body are consequently reduced and finally
extinguished. It has been shown that eliminating the pathological
signals from the body has a beneficial therapeutic effect.
[0029] One aspect of the present invention recognizes that certain
substances, such as glucose also have a particular electromagnetic
oscillation or frequency. For purposes of this application, a
"substance" is matter of a particular or definite chemical
composition, such as glucose. The oscillations associated with a
particular substance may change as the amount of the substance
changes within an organism. Thus, various aspects of the present
invention use electromagnetic oscillations to determine the
substance concentration, such a blood glucose, within a living
organism.
[0030] As previously discussed, every substance also has its own
magnetic "self" frequency oscillation. When the frequency of a
reagent is introduced into the organism through an electrode, the
frequency of the reagent interacts with the frequency of the
organism and creates a change in amplitude of the frequency. The
response or change in amplitude or "excitation" of the signal can
be detected and measured. Thus, it is possible to determine which
signal frequencies produces the greatest excitation when compared
to the reference point (the reference point can be also a first
conductance/resistance measurement applying the same reagent
signature). When comparing a plurality of frequencies (each
frequency corresponds to a known level of the substance), the
frequency that produces the greatest excitation is the frequency
that corresponds to the level of the substance in the organism.
[0031] Thus, for every reference correlation in a reference
database, a low-current electrical signal having a particular
frequency may be introduced into the organism, which is applied at
acupressure points or any other points on the human body where the
electrical potential has been previously measured. This process may
be repeated for every correlation in the reference database until a
match (e.g. the signal that produces the greatest excitation) is
found.
[0032] Turning now to FIG. 1a, there is illustrated one aspect of
the present invention. In this aspect, there is a measuring device
10 for measuring the levels of a substance in a living organism.
The measuring device 10 comprises a user interface 12. The user
interface 12 may comprise one or more interfaces which are capable
of receiving input and presenting output to a user or software
agent. Specific aspects of the user interface 12 may include a
display, a touch sensitive input screen, input keys, microphones
and/or speakers (not shown).
[0033] The user interface 12 may be in communication with a
processor 14. In certain aspects of the present invention, the
processor 14 controls the processes and various functions of the
measuring device 10. In some aspects of the present invention, the
processor 14 may be coupled to a first memory 16. The memory 16 may
be built into the processor 14 or be an external memory chip. In
certain aspects of the present invention, the processor 14 may also
be in communication with a second memory 18. The second memory 18
may be an external memory chip or memory built into the processor
14. In certain embodiments, the second memory may contain a
reference database 20, such as a database of extracted glucose
reagent signatures.
[0034] In one embodiment, the reference database 20 may be a table
of values correlating reference or signature frequencies to
specific levels of a substance in a "reagent." As used in this
application, a reagent is a substance typically mixed with a liquid
or solvent to form a compound. The reagent may be selected because
of its biological or chemical activity. As will be explained later,
the reagent may be used to determine the self oscillating frequency
of a substance. By using empirical techniques, a table of
correlating the self oscillating frequencies to amounts of a
substance in a reagent may be built and loaded into the database
20.
[0035] The memory 18 may be in communication with a pair of
electrodes 22a and 22b. In certain embodiments, one electrode may
be active-positive and the other electrode may be passive-negative.
As will be explained later, the electrodes 22a and 22b are adapted
to interact with the skin of the organism and may be used to
measure the impedance between two points on the skin. In certain
embodiments, the electrodes are in communication with an impedance
meter 24 which determines or measures the impedance between the
electrodes 22a and 22b. The impedance meter 24 may be in
communication with an amplifier 26, which amplifies signals sent
from the impedance meter 24.
[0036] In the illustrative embodiment, the amplifier 26 may in
communication with an analog-to-digital converter 28 which converts
analog signals from the amplifier to the digital signals. In some
embodiments, the digital signals may be sent to the processor
14.
[0037] A reset circuit 30 may also be coupled to the measuring
device 10 and in communication with the processor 14. The reset
circuit 30 may also in communication with the electrodes 22a and
22b. In some embodiments, the reset circuit 30 may be adapted to
clear or "short out" any residual charge between the electrodes. In
other words, the reset circuit 30 clears any residual capacitance
and/or changes polarization which may have developed on the skin
between the electrodes. The measuring device 10 may be powered by a
power source, such as a battery (not shown).
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 1b, there is illustrated one embodiment
of the impedance meter 24. In this embodiment, a circuit 39
determines the relative change of impedance between two electrodes
outputs a corresponding voltage which represents the change in
impedance. In this embodiment, the circuit 39 may comprise leads
40a and 40b to the electrodes 22a and 22b (FIG. 1), respectively.
The lead 40a may be coupled to the negative or inverting input of
an operational amplifier 42. The positive or non-inverting input of
the operational amplifier 42 may be coupled to a partial circuit
comprising a resister 44, a common ground 46, a voltage reference
48, and a resistor 50. The positive lead of the voltage reference
48 and the negative lead of the resistor 50 may be coupled to a
resistor 52. The resistor 52 may be coupled to the lead 40a and the
negative input of the operational amplifier 42.
[0039] In this illustrative embodiment, the lead 40b is coupled to
the output of the operational amplifier 42. A resistor 54 also
couples the leads 40a to the lead 40b. The output of the
operational amplifier 42 sends a voltage to a variable gain
amplifier 56, which is also adapted to receive signals from the
processor 14 (FIG. 1). Thus, the circuit 39 sends a voltage to the
variable gain amplifier 56 which corresponds to the change in
impedance between the electrodes. The variable gain amplifier 56
amplifies the voltage and sends the amplified signal to an
analog-to-digital converter 58. In the illustrative embodiment, the
analog-to-digital converter 58 converts the analog signals from the
variable gain amplifier 56 and sends the converted digital signals
to the processor 14.
[0040] Turning now to FIG. 1c, there is illustrated one aspect of
the reset circuit 30. In this illustrative embodiment, there is a
generic analog switch 60 adapted to receive input commands from the
processor 14 (FIG. 1) from a lead 62. The analog switch 60 may also
be in communication with the electrodes 22a and 22b (FIG. 1)
through the leads 64a and 64b, respectively. Upon receiving the
appropriate command from the processor 14, the analog switch 60 is
thrown, which effectively "shorts" out any residual charge between
the electrodes. In other embodiments (not shown), the circuit may
be adapted to alternate the polarity of the electrodes 22a and
22b.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a general method 200 to determine the
amount of a particular substance in an organism, such as a human
body. The process starts at step 202 and proceeds to step 204 where
an electrical signature wave or signal corresponding to one
frequency is applied to the electrodes (e.g., electrodes 22a and
22b of FIG. 1) which may be in contact with the skin of the
organism. The applied electrical signature signal correlates to a
predetermined concentration of the substance. In some aspects of
the method, there is a pre-existing reference database (e.g.,
database 20 of FIG. 1) stored on a conventional memory chip
containing correlations between "signature" signal frequencies
(e.g., 22-44 kilohertz) and known concentrations of a substance
reagent. Thus, each signature frequency in the database correlates
to a known concentration of a substance in an organism.
[0042] In step 206, a response or "excitation" to the applied
signature signal is measured. In step 208, the process determines
whether the response is "elevated." In other words, did the
organism respond in such a way as to indicate a positive
correlation between applied electrical signal and the known
concentration of the substance. If it is determined that the
response to the applied electrical signature is elevated, then the
process flows to step 210 where a correlation may be made between
to determine the level of the substance (such as glucose) in the
organism. On the other hand, if there is not an elevated response,
the process may flow back to step 204, where, in some embodiments,
a new electrical signature wave may be applied.
[0043] As will be explained below, in some embodiments, the process
may iteratively apply a plurality of electrical signature signals,
where each signal corresponds to a particular concentration of a
substance. The electrical signature signal (or signals) that caused
the greatest amount of excitation may be determined and the
reference database may be again accessed to determine the
particular level of the substance that corresponds with the
frequency. The level of the substance can, therefore, be determined
and displayed through a user interface.
[0044] As an example, the self-oscillation frequencies of different
concentrations of glucose molecules in the human blood can be
matched with similar frequencies of pre-known concentrations of
glucose in reference solutions. Once a frequency is matched, the
corresponding glucose level in the blood can be readily
determined.
[0045] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a detailed exemplary embodiment
of the general method illustrated in FIG. 2. The process starts in
step 302. In certain embodiments, a signal from the user interface
initiates the process. In other aspects, the process may be
initiated by the processor as a result of a preprogrammed schedule
or timer circuit. After initiation, the process then proceeds to
step 304 where the electrical impedance between two different
points on the skin is measured via the electrodes 22a and 22b. In
certain embodiments, the two points may be acupuncture points which
lie on different meridians. At step 306, the process determines
whether the impedance signal (e.g., the voltage representing the
impedance) is within acceptable predetermined limits. For instance,
if the readings from the impedance measurement is too low, the
amplifier gain may be adjusted. If the readings are not within the
predetermined limits, in step 308, a gain factor is calculated. In
step 310, the gain factor may be stored in memory for later use in
making additional impedance measurements. In step 312, the gain
factor may be used to adjust the gain of the amplifier. The process
then flows back to step 304 where the impedance is again measured.
At step 306, the process determines whether the new impedance
signal is within acceptable predetermined limits. Once it has been
determined the signal is within acceptable limits, process flows to
step 314.
[0046] In step 314, a first signature signal from the reference
database 20 is applied on the electrodes. In some embodiments, the
signature wave corresponds to a known level of glucose. In step
316, a series of measurements of the electrical impedance is then
performed in the time domain which creates a first data set. The
first data set may be represented by a curve 402 on the graph
illustrated in FIG. 4a. In FIG. 4a, the vertical axis represents
the response or measured impedance. The horizontal axis represents
time. Thus, the curve 402 represents the impedance response over
time resulting from the application of the signature signal which
is applied at time=0. In other words, each point on the curve
represents the measured value of impedance at a particular time
from the occurrence of the application of the signature signal.
[0047] Turning back to FIG. 3, in step 318, the residual voltage on
the electrodes may then be cleared as discussed in reference to
FIG. 1c. In step 320, the signature signal is again applied through
the electrodes. This is the same signal which was applied in step
314. In step 322, another series of measures of the electrical
impedance is performed in the time domain which creates a second
data set. The second data set may be represented by curve 404 of
the graph illustrated in FIG. 4b. In certain embodiments, the steps
314 through 322 may be repeated to produce additional data sets if
predefined indicators, such as quality-of-measurement indicators,
are not met.
[0048] In step 324, the data sets are compared to each other to
determine whether convergence has been achieved. The amount of
convergence may be graphically represented by the graph illustrated
in FIG. 4c which shows curve 402 superimposed onto curve 404. If
convergence has not been achieved, the process flows directly to
step 328. If convergence has been achieved, then in step 326, the
process stores the signature sets as a candidate data set before it
flows to step 328.
[0049] In step 328, the process determines whether all of the
signature signals in the database have been applied. If not, the
process flows to step 330 (FIG. 3a), where the residual voltage is
removed as discussed in reference to FIG. 1c. From step 330, the
process flows to step 332, where the next signature signal in the
database is set up to be applied to the electrodes. The process
then flows back to step 314, where the steps 314 through 328 are
repeated for the new signature signal. On the other hand, if in
step 328, it is determined that all of the signature signals have
been applied to the electrodes, the process flows to step 334.
[0050] In step 334, the logic reviews the stored candidate data
sets to determine the set having the maximum convergence or the
"best" candidate out of the stored candidate data sets. Using the
frequency responsible for producing the best candidate, in step
336, the reference database may then be accessed to determine the
level of the substance that corresponds with the signal. The level
of the substance can, therefore, be determined and sent to a user
interface. The process ends at step 338.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is an alternative measuring
device 500 for measuring the levels of a substance in a living
organism. The measuring device 500 comprises a pair of electrodes
502a and 502b. One electrode is active-positive and the other
electrode is passive-negative. The electrodes 502a and 502b are
adapted to interact with the skin of the organism and may measure
the electro conductivity between two points on the skin, such as
two points on different meridians. The electrodes are in
communication with an impedance meter 504 that measures the
impedance between the electrodes 502a and 502b. The impedance meter
504 may be in communication with a processor 506. As will be
explained in detail below, the processor 506 controls various
aspects of the device 500. The processor 506 is in communication
with a first memory device 508 for storing a reference database
510. In some embodiments, the first memory device may be a
conventional memory chip. In other embodiments, the processor 506
may be in communication with a second memory device 507 for the
storage of temporary variables and measured data. The second memory
device 507 may be either built into the processor or as an external
chip. The processor 506 may also be in communication with a user
interface 509, which may take a variety of embodiments, such as a
screen and input device.
[0052] In some embodiments, the processor 506 may also be in
communication with a digital-to-analog converter 512 which converts
digital signals from the processor to the analog signals. In some
embodiments, the analog signals may be sent to an amplifier 514
which is adapted to send signals to the electrodes 502a and 502b. A
reset signal generator 516 is also in communication with the
electrodes 502a and 502b and is adapted to send signals to the
electrodes. The signal generator 516 may also be in communication
with the processor 506. In certain embodiments, the signal
generator 516 is adapted to alternate polarity of the signal to
electrodes and the amplifier 514. In other embodiments, the signal
generator may be a reset circuit similar to the reset circuit 30
discussed in reference to FIG. 1a.
[0053] As in the embodiment discussed in reference to FIG. 1a, the
user interface 509 may send a signal to the processor 106 to
initiate a process. In response, the processor 506 initiates a
process which causes the impedance meter 504 to read the impedance
between the electrodes 502a and 502b. The impedance meter 504,
amplifies the impedance signal, digitizes the impedance signal and
sends it back to the processor 506. The processor uses the initial
impedance reading to calculate a gain factor which may be stored in
the memory 507 for later use.
[0054] The processor 506 then initiates a process which reads the
database 510 stored in the memory 508. The codes or signature
signals from the database 510 are then sent to the
digital-to-analog converter 512, which converts the digital signals
to analog signals. The analog signals may then sent to the
amplifier 514, which amplifies the analog signal and sends the
signals to the electrodes 502a and 502b. The impedance between the
electrodes 502a and 502b may then be read by the impedance meter
504. The substance amount in the organism may then be determined
according to the iterative processes similar to those discussed
above.
[0055] FIG. 6a illustrates an example embodiment of a system 600
which is designed to be worn on a person's wrist. As illustrated,
there is a portable measurement device 602 which is adapted to be
coupled to wrist bands 604a and 604b. The measurement device 602
may contain all of the components discussed previously in reference
to FIGS. 1a through 1c or FIG. 5.
[0056] FIG. 6b is an exploded perspective view of the portable
device 602 illustrated in FIG. 6a. In this embodiment, the
measurement device 602 includes a user interface which comprises a
touch screen 606 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 608. The touch
screen 606 accepts input from a user and the LCD 608 displays
information and the results of processing. In this example
embodiment, there are housing members 610a and 610b which encloses
the various components, such as the processor and memory devices
previously discussed. In this embodiment, the components may be
assembled on a printed circuit board 612. In this particular
example, a power source, such as a lithium battery 614 provides the
device with the necessary power. Electrodes 616a and 616b may be
located on underside of watch and are adapted to touch the back
side of a human wrist. In certain embodiments, the electrodes 616a
and 616b are made from a conductive material, such as copper, gold,
silver, metal, stainless steel or any combination thereof. In the
illustrated embodiment, the electrodes 616a and 616b may be spaced
to line up over acupuncture points of endocrine or lymphatic system
meridian.
[0057] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this
detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
[0058] For instance, in some embodiments, there is method of
determining a substance in a living organism, the method
comprising: applying an electrical signature signal to the living
organism, wherein the electrical signature signal corresponds to a
predetermined amount of the substance; measuring the response of
the living organism to the applied signature signal; and
determining whether an elevated response has resulted from applying
the electrical signature, if so, then determining the amount of the
substance in the living organism from the predetermined amount of
the substance.
[0059] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
further comprising providing a plurality of electrical signal
signals, wherein each signature signal in the plurality of
signature signals corresponds to a different predetermined amount
of the substance.
[0060] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
wherein the plurality of signature signals correspond to a
predetermined amount of the substance ranging from a low amount of
the substance to a high amount of the substance.
[0061] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
wherein the method of claim 1 is repeated for each electrical
signature signal in the plurality of electrical signature
signals.
[0062] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
wherein the substance is glucose.
[0063] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
wherein the measuring the response comprises measuring the
impedance between two different points on the skin of the living
organism.
[0064] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
wherein the measuring the response comprises: measuring a plurality
of impedance values over time resulting from applying the signature
signal corresponding to a predetermined amount of the substance to
establish a first data set of measure data values; reapplying the
electrical signature signal to the living organism; measuring a
plurality of impedance values over time resulting from applying the
signature signal to establish a second data set of measure data
values.
[0065] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
further comprising clearing any residual charges between the points
on the skin.
[0066] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
wherein the determining comprises: determining whether there is
convergence between the first and second data sets; if there is
convergence between the first and second data sets, then storing
the data sets as a candidate set.
[0067] There may also be a method similar to that described above,
further comprising: examining each stored candidate set to
determine the candidate set having the largest convergence, and
setting the amount of the substance to be the signature that
corresponds to the candidate set having the largest
convergence.
[0068] In other embodiments, there may be an apparatus for
measuring a substance in a living organism, the apparatus
characterized by: a processor means; at least two electrode means
for applying and receiving signals, an impedance measuring means
for determining the impedance between the at least two electrode
means; a memory means for storing a database of electrical
signature signals, wherein each electrical signature signal
corresponds to different amounts of a substance; and a means for
applying the electrical signature signals to the at least two
electrode means.
[0069] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, further characterized by an amplifier means for amplifying
signals from the impedance determining means; and an
analog-to-digital conversion means for converting analog signals
from the amplifier means to digital signals.
[0070] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, further characterized by a gain adjusting means for
adjusting the gain of the amplification means.
[0071] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, further characterized by a memory means for storing a gain
factor determined from the gain adjusting means.
[0072] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, further characterized by a reset means for discharging any
residual voltage between the at least two electrode means.
[0073] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, further characterized by a housing means for housing
components of the measuring apparatus, wherein the housing means is
adapted for engagement with a strap means.
[0074] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, wherein the strap means is a wrist strap means.
[0075] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, wherein the electrode means are made in part from stainless
steel.
[0076] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, wherein the substance is glucose.
[0077] There may also be an apparatus similar to that described
above, further characterized by: an digital-to-analog conversion
means for converting digital signals from the memory means; and an
amplifier means for amplifying analog signals from the
digital-to-analog conversion means.
[0078] The abstract of the disclosure is provided for the sole
reason of complying with the rules requiring an abstract, which
will allow a searcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of
the technical disclosure of any patent issued from this disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
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