METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING CONCENTRATION OF LIGHT ABSORBING MATERIAL IN LIVING TISSUE AND THICKNESS OF INTERCALARY TISSUE

摘要

The present invention is directed to a measuring method that permits measurement of the concentration of light absorbing material and the thickness of intercalated tissue without being affected by the thickness of intercalated tissue between the surface of an organism and the tissue to be measured. A sensor or a plurality of sensors (11-14) having different distances between the sender and receiver of light is used to measure the thickness of intercalated tissue between the surface of the organism and the organic tissue in which the light absorbing material as a test target primarily exists. Changes in measurement sensitivity with respect to the thickness of intercalated tissue at respective distances between the sender and receiver of light are examined, and based on the changes in measurement sensitivity, a relation between the thickness of intercalated tissue and a coefficient of correction for the measurement sensitivity is determined. The coefficient of correction is calculated, based on the above relation, from a known distance of the sender and receiver of light of the sensor and the thickness of intercalated tissue at a site of measurement. The measured value can be corrected using the obtained coefficient of correction, so as not to be influenced by the intercalated tissue. <IMAGE>