The University of Texas System

Gerard L Cote

Michael V Pishko

Rebecca M Rounds

Hope T Beier

Casey Pirnstill

Vamsi K Yadavalli

Bennett L Ibey

John Philip Hanks

Melissa A Grunlan

Daniel T Grunden

Erwin Thomas, Iii

Kimberly Branan

Andrea K Locke

Ruochong Fei

Bilal H Malik

Alexander A Abraham

Justin Mcmurray

Wearable optical devices, methods and systems for obtain dynamic and static physiological parameters from a subject are disclosed. Example devices can be worn around an appendage, such as a finger, and utilize PPG sensors to obtain signals from the appendage. The PPG sensors are positioned to acquire signals suitable to reconstruct an image of the inner appendage using, for example, diffuse optical tomography, to provide additional information. The devices, methods, and systems can obtain dynamic and static physiological parameters and accurate images in real-time.

Multispectral optical finger system for physiological measurements

The disclosure provides a method for cleaning an implanted medical device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a medical device including a membrane; wherein the membrane comprises a thermoresponsive hydrogel including N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) or poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), and a volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). The method also includes implanting the medical device into a target area; wherein the membrane temperature is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the target area; wherein temperature fluctuations within the target area that approach, meet and/or exceed the volume phase transition temperature induce deswelling or relative deswelling in the membrane and temperature fluctuations within the target area that are relatively lower and/or approach and/or fall below the volume phase transition temperature induce swelling or relative swelling in the membrane.

Self-cleaning membrane for medical devices

Embodiments concern coupling polarized light at two or more wavelengths across the aqueous humor of the eye (e.g., as part of a noninvasive glucose monitoring system). An approach discloses non-contact and minimal contact eye-coupling designs that are part of a system for providing glucose concentration levels via measurements acquired by passing two or more optical beams through the cornea/aqueous chamber in the eye. The approach provides for coupling the light to account for the index mismatch incurred while allowing for monitoring the light polarization. Specifically, in an embodiment the light transitions from the device, through the air, through the proximal side of the cornea, through the aqueous humor, through the medial side of the cornea, and through the air back into the device. Embodiments address the index of refraction mismatch and polarized light maintaining concerns with a coupling approach that can take the form of contact and non-contact mechanisms.

Eye coupling mechanism for noninvasive glucose measurements with polarized light

An embodiment relates generally to an improved method and apparatus for modulating the amplitude and rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light for multiple uses but primarily as part of a noninvasive glucose monitoring system. As compared to previous monitoring systems, an embodiment provides faster monitoring while maintaining or even reducing noise and minimizing system complexity. Embodiments described herein address these concerns with a modulation and compensation approach that both uses a single high speed device and also modulation of the lasers.

Dual amplitude modulation and polarization frequency modulation as well as compensation for noninvasive glucose monitoring

This disclosure relates to a method of measuring a glucose concentration metric or a glucose metric in a patient by contacting an implantable glucose-sensing device with a test sample, which may be in the patient, under conditions that permit a sugar-binding molecule and a functionalized polymer or nano-particle ligand present throughout the matrix of a hydrogel to interact in a glucose-dependent manner to produce an optical signal resulting from quenching of a first fluorophore linked to the ligand or sugar-binding molecule and having a fluorescent emission spectrum quenched upon binding or release of glucose. Next the first fluorophore may be excited with light of a certain wavelength. Then at least one wavelength of light in the glucose-dependent optical signal from the fluorophore may be detected with a detector to produce a detected light signal, which may be processed to produce a glucose metric, such as a glucose concentration metric.

Method for glucose monitoring using fluorescence quenching

This disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods of sensing an analyte. An implantable sensor may be contacted with a test sample under conditions that permit a binding protein and a ligand of the sensor to interact in an analyte-dependent manner to produce an analyte-dependent signal, and (b) detecting the analyte-dependent signal with a detector. A binding protein may reversibly bind an analyte and/or a ligand. A binding protein may have a higher binding affinity for an analyte than for a ligand. A binding protein and a ligand may each include a fluorophore, the absorption and/or emission properties of which may change in an analyte-dependent manner. A binding protein and/or a ligand may be bound to an active or inactive substrate. Some embodiments of systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in vitro, in situ, and/or in vivo. Systems and/or devices of the disclosure may be configured to be wearable.

Implantable system for glucose monitoring using fluorescence quenching

Growing community of inventors

College Station, TX, United States of America

Gerard L Cote