Methods and devices for non-invasively measuring quantitative information of substances in living organisms

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods of determining the amount of a substance in a living organism. In one embodiment, the method comprises: applying an electrical signature signal to the living organism, wherein the electrical signature signal corresponds to a predetermined amount of the substance; measuring the response of the living organism to the applied signature signal; and determining whether an elevated response has resulted from applying the electrical signature signal, if so, then determining the amount of the substance in the living organism from the predetermined amount of the substance.

1 . An apparatus for measuring a substance in a living organism, the apparatus comprising: 
 a processor in communication with at least one memory device; a memory device in communication with the processor, wherein the memory device includes a database of electrical signature signals, wherein each electrical signature signal corresponds to different amounts of the substance in the living organism;    an impedance meter in communication with the processor;    at least two electrodes coupled to the impedance meter such that the impedance meter can measure the impedance between the at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes are also coupled to the memory device;    a signal amplifier in communication with the processor and the impedance meter, wherein the signal amplifier is adapted to amplify signals from the impedance meter;    an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the amplifier and the processor, wherein the analog-to-digital converter is adapted to convert analog signals from the amplifier to digital signals before sending the digital signals to the processor;    a reset circuit in communication with the processor and coupled to the at least two electrodes.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the impedance meter further comprises: 
 an impedance indicator circuit for producing a voltage representing the impedance between the at least two electrodes;    an amplifier in communication with the impedance indicator circuit, wherein the amplifier is adapted to amplify the voltage from the impedance indicator circuit; and    an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the amplifier and the processor, wherein the analog-to-digital converter is adapted for converting analog signals from the amplifier to digital signals.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reset circuit is adapted to discharge residual voltage between the at least two electrodes.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reset circuit is adapted to change the polarity of the at least two electrodes.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing which partially surrounds the processor, wherein the housing is adapted for engagement with a strap means such that the apparatus may be worn on a wrist.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two electrodes are made in part from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, metal and stainless steel.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen and a flat screen display.