Figure 2 – Noninvasive and breath alcohol concentration compared to contemporaneous blood alcohol concentration In addition to measuring and quanti-
fying blood alcohol, the spectroscopic measurement provides a biometric identity verification capability that prevents “buddy punching” (e.g. one person takes the test for another) and allows the systems to be used in an unsupervised manner. Te underlying signal used by the biometric is predicated on the fact that each person’s skin has unique characteristics. Skin is pri- marily comprised of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers and each has dif- ferent characteristics that influence its rela- tive contribution to the spectroscopic mea- surement. For example, the subcutaneous layer is largely comprised of lipids (fats) while the dermal layer is composed primar- ily of water and collagen. Te TruTouch measurement inherently contains contri-
butions from each layer, which provides insight into both the chemical composition and structure of the tissue. Because all people have different tissue properties (e.g. dermal hydration, collagen density, and layer thickness), the measurement captures these interpersonal differences and uses them as the basis for its unique biometric identity verification feature. Te impact of alcohol consumption on
workplace productivity and the botom line costs to all industries in the US and interna- tionally have been well documented. Com- panies would like to reduce these costs and understand that effective routine workplace alcohol measurement can mitigate these problems. Tis method being cost effective and self administered—may provide com- panies with yet another tool that can be integrated with existing programs to impact
work force alcohol use and increase fitness for duty across the board. ❚ References
1
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1017_alcohol_ consumption.html
2
Frone MR. Prevalence and distribution of alcohol use in the workplace: a U.S. national survey. J Stud Alcohol 2006;67:147-56.
3
T. Ridder, E. Hull, B. Ver Steeg, B. Laaksonen, “Comparison of Spectroscopically Measured Finger and Forearm Tissue Ethanol Concentration to Blood and Breath Ethanol Measurements”, J. of Bio. Optics, 16(2), (2011).
Oscar Lazaro is a life sciences executive with 25 years commercialization experience sell- ing medical devices, diagnostics & analytical instruments. He has held senior roles with Se- rono, Hologic, Ion Track (sold to GE) and Ahura Scientific (sold to Thermo Fisher). As the SVP Strategic partnering at TruTouch, he is focused on building out the global distribution channel for the company’s unique product line.
48
datia focus
spring 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62