Abstract: A method and apparatus for biomedical subsurface imaging and measurement of thickness, elastic and optical properties of industrial and biomedical materials based on laser Photo-Thermo-Acoustic (PTA) frequency-swept heterodyne depth profilometry, In particular, the invention relates to biomedical imaging and measure of tissue and tumour thickness, L, speed of sound, cs, acoustic attenuation coefficient, ?, optical absorption coefficient, ?a, and optical scattering coefficient, ?s.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining the sub-surface microstructure of a sample are provided. Radiation from a plurality of optical radiation sources travels along a first optical path. In the first optical path, a device focuses the optical radiation from each of the optical sources into a plurality of respective focal points along the first optical path to provide substantially continuous coverage of a selected portion of the first optical path. Then, a sample on the first optical path within the selected length extending into the sample is scanned along said selected portion of the first optical path.

Abstract: Multiple site information of light intensity is obtained by application of a multiple-fibre probe in a real-time optical monitoring system. The multiple-fibre probe includes a plurality of optical fibres distributed along the length of the probe. Each optical fibre may be is switchable between the mode for transmitting optical signal into the malignant tissue and the mode for collecting the optical signal from the same tissue. Thus the numbers of the probes can be minimized for collecting multiple site light information and the irritation to the tissue is reduced. A method of using such a probe to determine coagulated boundary in thermal or other treatment is also described.

Abstract: A radiation dosimeter system and method for estimating a deposited radiation dose to an object involves locating at least one radiation dosimeter at the object. The radiation dosimeter includes a radiation sensitive medium having an optical property that changes due to the deposited radiation dose. An optical interrogation signal is provided to the radiation dosimeter via an enclosed optical path for interacting with the radiation sensitive medium. During irradiation, the optical interrogation signal is transformed into an optical information signal that encodes an ionizing radiation induced change in the optical property of the radiation sensitive medium. The radiation dosimeter system then processes the optical information signal for estimating the deposited radiation dose.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining the subsurface microstructure of a sample are provided. Radiation from a plurality of optical radiation sources travels along a first optical path. In the first optical path, a device focuses the optical radiati n from each of the optical sources into a plurality of respective focal points along the first optical path to provide substantially continuous coverage of a selected portion of the first optical path. Then, a sample on the first optical path within the selected length extending into the sample is scanned along said selected portion of the first optical path.

Abstract: A radiation dosimeter system and method for estimating a deposited radiation dose to an object involves locating at least one radiation dosimeter at the object. The radiation dosimeter includes a radiation sensitive medium having an optical property that changes due to the deposited radiation dose. An optical interrogation signal is provided to the radiation dosimeter via an enclosed optical path for interacting with the radiation sensitive medium. During irradiation, the optical interrogation signal is transformed into an optical information signal that encodes an ionizing radiation induced change in the optical property of the radiation sensitive medium. The radiation dosimeter system then processes the optical information signal for estimating the deposited radiation dose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biomedical subsurface imaging and measurement of thickness, elastic and optical properties of industrial and biomedical materials based on laser Photo-Thermo-Acoustic (PTA) frequency-swept heterodyne depth profilometry, In particular, the invention relates to biomedical imaging and measure of tissue and tumour thickness, L, speed of sound, cs, acoustic attenuation coefficient, ?, optical absorption coefficient, ?a, and optical scattering coefficient, ?s.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining the subsurface microstructure of a sample are provided. Radiation from a plurality of ptical radiation sources travels along a first ptical path. In the first optical path, a device focuses the optical radiati n from each of the optical sources into a plurality of respective focal points along the first optical path to provide substantially continuous coverage of a selected portion of the first optical path. Then, a sample on the first optical path within the selected length extending into the sample is scanned along said selected portion of the first optical path.