BACKGROUND

The ability to measure a given substance in blood and bodily fluids has many applications, including managing critically ill patients, determining the presence of intoxicants and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. It also can be used to determine levels of therapeutic agents in the blood and brain during the drug development process.

Monitoring a particular compound in bodily fluids typically requires invasive techniques, such as a pin prick or blood
draw. Using non-invasive techniques would have many advantages, including better subject compliance, elimination of infection risk and no requirement for specialized staff.
In addition, multiple measurements could be more easily accomplished.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

The device generates an excitation laser beam at a selected wavelength. This laser beam is focused onto the anterior chamber of the subject’s eye. This iluminates the eye’s aqueous humor, vitreous humor, or one or more conjunctive eye vessels.

Detection of a Raman spectrum from the illuminated portion of the eye is then used to determine—via a proprietary algorithm—the blood or CSF concentration of a given substance.

Substances that can be detected using this approach include glucose, ethanol,macular pigments and therapeutic drugs such as amphotericin B.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

Phase I clinical trial is ongoing

none

File Number: 2000-009 

Web site: http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.474061...

Disease: Blood and Lymphatic System

Other Information:

Principal Investigator:
Mark Borchert

Additional Investigator(s):
James Lambert

Contact:
Jessica L. Rousset, Director
E-mail: JRousset@chla.usc.edu
Phone: 323.361.4531