NON-INVASIVE MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD COMPONENTS USING RETINAL IMAGING

摘要

Illuminating light (12) of selected wavelengths in the visible or infrared range is projected through the pupil of the eye (10) onto the fundus. The light reflected back, out through the pupil is detected (22), and analyzed, preferably using the area of the optic disk for analyzing the retinal vessels overlying the optic disk. Specific wavelengths of illuminating light may be chosen for each blood component to be analyzed depending on the spectral characteristics of the substance being analyzed. The reflected image from the retina may be used to measure non-photo-reactive blood components such as hemoglobin, and photo-reactive components such as bilirubin. For the measurement of photo-reactive components, images may be taken before, and after, or during, illumination of the eye with light at wavelengths which will affect the photo-reactive analyte, enabling measurements of the concentration of the analyte.