Method of analyzing for at least one disease or condition marker

1. A method of using a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system to analyze for a state of a disease or condition, the method comprising the acts of:

creating at least one diffusion channel in an area of skin;

applying a hydrogel on the skin, the hydrogel being configured to enhance diffusion from the at least one diffusion channel;

maintaining the at least one diffusion channel for a desired duration;

continuously monitoring the level of at least one disease/condition marker for the desired duration via a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring device; and

analyzing the levels of the at least one disease/condition marker at the area of skin to determine if the disease or condition associated with the at least one disease/condition marker is present.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one diffusion channel is a plurality of diffusion channels.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the desired duration is a continuous time period of at least approximately 8 hours.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the desired duration is a continuous time period of at least approximately 24 hours.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system is an electrochemical-monitoring system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system is an optical-monitoring system.

7. The method of claim 1 further including storing the level of the at least one disease marker.

8. The method of claim 1 further including positioning the diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring device in communication with the hydrogel or liquid.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the continuously monitoring is of the level of blood urea nitrogen and/or creatinine, and the levels of the blood urea nitrogen and/or creatinine at the area of skin is being analyzed to determine if kidney disease is present.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the level of blood urea nitrogen is continuously monitored.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the level of creatinine is continuously monitored.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein at least the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine are continuously monitored.

13. A method of using a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system to analyze for a state of at least one disease or condition, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring device, the device including a communications interface that is adapted to connect with a receiving module via a communications link;

creating at least one diffusion channel in an area of skin via a channel-creating mechanism, the channel-creating mechanism being separate and distinct from the diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring device;

applying a hydrogel on the skin, the hydrogel being configured to enhance diffusion from the at least one diffusion channel

maintaining the at least one diffusion channel for a desired duration;

continuously monitoring the level of at least one disease or condition marker for the desired duration via the diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring device; and

analyzing the levels of the at least one disease or condition marker at the area of skin to determine if the disease or condition associated with the at least one disease or condition marker is present.

14. The method of claim 13 further including transmitting information directed to the levels of the at least one disease or condition marker to the receiving module via the communications link.

15. The method of claim 14 further including receiving instructions from the receiving module via the communications link.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the transmitting of information occurs at intervals between 5 minutes and 4 hours.

17. The method of claim 13 further including storing the levels the at least one disease or condition marker.