Abstract:
The present invention provides a thermally stable reference member comprising, at least one radiation attenuating element and at least one radiation scattering element. The radiation attenuating element comprising at least one aperture for transmission of radiation therethrough. The attenuating and scattering elements placed in series so that radiation transmitted through the reference member passes through each of the attenuating and scattering elements. The attenuating and scattering elements of the reference member may further comprise a thermally stable mount to hold the elements in a selected position relative to each other, and in relation to an instrument, or the elements may be bonded together. The radiation attenuating element may be comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of INVAR, tungsten, brass, and a material substantially non-transparent for incident radiation, and the radiation scattering element may be comprised of a radiation scattering material selected from the group consisting of opalescent glass, SPECTRALON, PTFE, ZERODUR, fused silica, quartz, sapphire, diamond, and a transparent material with essentially low thermal expansion.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a photometric reference member comprising PTFE and glass. The member exhibits an absorbance change of less than 0.0001 absorbance units per degree C. over a range of temperatures, preferably from about 20null C. to about 40null C., and over wavelengths from about 600 nm to about 1650 nm, preferably about 600 nm to about 1050 nm. The invention also pertains to methods of using the photometric reference member to correct for temperature variations or drift in absorbance measurements.
Abstract:
An artificial member that mimics the absorbance spectrum of an animal body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes is disclosed. The artificial member is made of a light scattering and reflecting material and is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor that is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.