Analyzer and analyzing method

Abstract

The present invention is to present an analyzer for analyzing a concentration of a predetermined component contained in tissue fluid of a subject, the analyzer being capable of mitigating the pain of the subject. The analyzer comprises: an extraction medium retainer for retaining an extraction medium for holding tissue fluid extracted through a skin of a subject; a component amount information obtainer for obtaining component amount information regarding amount of a predetermined component contained in the tissue fluid held in the extraction medium; an electrical information obtainer for obtaining electrical information related to amount of the extracted tissue fluid by supplying electrical power to the extraction medium which is holding the extracted tissue fluid; and a component concentration obtainer for obtaining a concentration of the predetermined component contained in body fluid of the subject based on the component amount information and the electrical information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blood glucose level measuring device 1 mounted on the wrist of a subject;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a band 19 provided with a fixture 20;

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the blood glucose level measuring device 1 installed with an extraction cartridge 2;

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram showing the structure of the blood glucose level measuring device 1 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the structure of the extraction cartridge 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross section view along the VI-VI line of the extraction cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the extraction cartridge set 200;

FIG. 8 is a cross section view along the VIII-VIII line of the extraction cartridge set 200 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the extraction cartridge set 200;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the micro needle array 51 used in a preparatory step;

FIG. 11 shows the structure of the detector 30 for detecting glucose by illuminating a glucose sensor 70;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing preparation sequence of the subject for measurement by the blood glucose level measuring device 1;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the measurement operation sequence of the controller-analyzer 11 of the blood glucose level measuring device 1;

FIG. 14 to 16 and FIG. 18 are schematic views illustrating the glucose extraction principle with the use of the blood glucose level measuring device 1;

FIG. 17 shows the electrical circuit when an electric field is applied to the skin of the subject;

FIG. 19 shows the electrical circuit when measuring the electrical conductance of the extraction medium; and

FIG. 20 is a characteristics chart showing the relationship between the electrical conductance of the extraction medium and the glucose extraction speed.

Claims

1. An analyzer, comprising: an extraction medium retainer for retaining an extraction medium for holding tissue fluid extracted through a skin of a subject;a component amount information obtainer for obtaining component amount information regarding amount of a predetermined component contained in the tissue fluid held in the extraction medium;an electrical information obtainer for obtaining electrical information related to amount of the extracted tissue fluid by supplying electrical power to the extraction medium which is holding the extracted tissue fluid; anda component concentration obtainer for obtaining a concentration of the predetermined component contained in body fluid of the subject based on the component amount information and the electrical information.

2. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the body fluid is selected from tissue fluid and blood.

3. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the electrical information reflects the degree of tissue fluid permeation through the skin.

4. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the electrical information relates to electrical conductance or electrical resistance of the extraction medium that is holding extracted tissue fluid.

5. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the electrical information relates to an electrical current or a voltage applied to the extraction medium holding the extracted tissue fluid.

6. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the electrical information obtainer comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrical power supplier for applying an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode,and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed so as to contact with the extraction medium retained by the extraction medium retainer.

7. The analyzer of claim 6, wherein the electrical information obtainer further comprises a third electrode electrically connected to the electrical power supplier,wherein the third electrode and at least one of the first electrode and second electrode are electrically connected to the skin of the subject when the analyzer is attached to the skin of the subject,and wherein the electrical power supplier applies an electrical current between the third electrode and the at least one of the first electrode and second electrode to extract the tissue fluid into the extraction medium.

8. The analyzer of claim 7, wherein the electrical information obtainer obtains a second electrical information by applying an electrical current between the third electrode and at least one of the first electrode and second electrode,and wherein the component concentration obtainer obtains the concentration of the predetermined component contained in the body fluid of the subject based on the second electrical information, the electrical information, and the component amount information.

9. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the extraction medium retained by the extraction medium retainer is non-conductive.

10. The analyzer of claim 9, wherein the extraction medium is water.

11. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the component amount information indicates amount of the predetermined component extracted into the extraction medium per unit time.

12. The analyzer of claim 1, wherein the predetermined component is glucose.

13. The analyzer of claim 12, wherein the concentration of the predetermined component contained in the body fluid of the subject is a blood glucose level.

14. The analyzer of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying the electrical information.

15. An analyzer, comprising: a first electrode;a second electrode;an extraction medium retainer for retaining an extraction medium for holding tissue fluid extracted through the skin of a subject, the extraction medium contacting with the first electrode and the second electrode;an electrical power supplier for applying an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode;a first detector for detecting amount of a predetermined component contained in the tissue fluid held in the extraction medium;a second detector for detecting electrical information related to supply of electricity from the electrical power supplier; anda component concentration obtainer for obtaining a concentration of the predetermined component contained in body fluid of the subject based on the amount of the predetermined component detected by the first detector and the electrical information detected by the second detector.

16. The analyzer of claim 15, wherein the electrical information relates to a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.

17. The analyzer of claim 16, wherein the electrical power supplier is a constant current power supplier.

18. The analyzer of claim 15, wherein the electrical information relates to the electrical current applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.

19. The analyzer of claim 18, wherein the electrical power supplier is a constant voltage power supplier.

20. The analyzer of claim 1, further comprising a third electrode electrically connected to the electrical power supplier,wherein the third electrode and at least one of the first electrode and second electrode are electrically connected to the skin of the subject when the analyzer is attached to the skin of the subject,wherein the electrical power supplier applies an electrical current between the third electrode and the at least one of the first electrode and second electrode to extract the tissue fluid into the extraction medium,and wherein the second detector detects the electrical information when the electrical power supplier applies an electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode.

21. An analyzing method, comprising steps of (a) extracting tissue fluid through the skin of a subject into an extraction medium for holding the extracted tissue fluid;(b) obtaining component amount information regarding amount of a predetermined component contained in the tissue fluid held in the extraction medium;(c) obtaining electrical information related to amount of the extracted tissue fluid by supplying electrical power to the extraction medium which is holding the extracted tissue fluid; and(d) obtaining a concentration of the predetermined component contained in body fluid of the subject based on the component amount information and the electrical information.