Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus for use in optical testing of concentration in samples has been developed. The apparatus restricts the solid angle of illumination and the solid angle of detection to eliminate a high proportion of the scattered radiation while allowing the ballistic radiation and the snake-like radiation to be transmitted. In samples which contain multiple scattering centers, this allows less correction for variations in effective pathlength and allows easier calibration of the apparatus. The use of polarized radiation as a means of minimizing scattered radiation in the sample is also disclosed. In a second embodiment the detector collects only polarized radiation while excluding depolarized (multiple scattered) radiation. The radiation preferrably is chosen to be in the 700-1500 nm wavelength range. The sample preferrably is a portion of a mammalian body, the analyte to be analyzed is selected from the group consisting of glucose, glucose identifying substances, mixtures thereof or from the group consisting of hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and mixtures thereof. The concentration measurement can be used to derive oxygen saturation of the blood.