Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for removing hair. The system comprises a hair detection device and a hair-removing device (20). Since 3D information on hairs (32) is required, but due to the very dispersed presence of, e.g., human hairs (32) on skin (30), known detection devices are too slow, the invention provides a combination of two image sensors. A first image sensor (12) produces a first image, based on which a selected part is imaged with a second image sensor (14) that provides the required 3D position information with which the hair-removing device (20) can remove the hair. Thus, optimum use may be made of both fast but less accurate image sensors, such as (2D) CCDs or CMOS sensors, and accurate but slow sensors such as 3D scanning sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for administering electromagnetic radiation to human tissue, in particular light to skin. The device comprises a treatment head with a recess (10) in which the light is emitted and in which the air pressure may be decreased by a pump (11). The device also comprises a pressure gauge (8) for measuring the pressure in the recess (10). Above a certain threshold value the device will not function, because this indicates an incorrect positioning of the device on the skin, which might cause harm to persons. By providing the pressure gauge (8), an operator may determine whether the positioning of the treatment head is correct. The device is advantageously automated in that the pressure gauge (8) is connected to control means (5) for controlling the source (3) of radiation.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system for determining a property of a fluid flowing through a volume of interest underneath the surface of the skin of a patient is described. The spectroscopic system comprises: a probe head having an objective for directing an excitation beam into the volume of interest and for collecting return radiation from the volume of interest; a base station having a spectroscopic analysis unit and a power supply; and a cable connecting the probe head and the base station for transmission of the return radiation from the probe head to the base station and for providing the probe head with power from the power supply of the base station.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an optical analysis system uses multivariate optical signal analysis. The method includes determining a parameter of a reference sample, and comparing the actually determined parameter with a reference parameter that represents a precise and real property of the reference sample. Based on the comparison, a calibration value is determined that is applicable to perform a calibration of the optical analysis system with respect to at least one compound or analyte of the reference sample. Parameters and reference parameters of a reference sample may refer to a concentration of an analyte dissolved in the sample, or to spectroscopic background signals that have to be taken into account when performing a spectral analysis based on optical signals obtained from the reference sample. Analyte-specific reference data is stored in a calibration unit of the optical analysis system and allows a high degree of automation of the calibration process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system as well as a method of autonomous tuning of a spectroscopic system and a corresponding computer program product. By detecting the position of return radiation in a transverse plane of an aperture of a spectroscopic analysis unit, a control signal can be generated that allows to drive servo driven translation or tilting stages of optical components. In this way a transverse misalignment of a spectroscopic system can be effectively detected. Generally, a plurality of different detection schemes are realizable allowing for an autonomous tuning of the spectroscopic system and for autonomous elimination of misalignment of a spectroscopic system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of calibrating an optical analysis system that makes use of multivariate optical signal analysis allowing to realize cost-efficient and robust implementation of a spectral analysis of an optical signal. The calibration method makes use of determining a parameter of a reference sample by means of the optical analysis system and comparing the actually determined parameter with a reference parameter that represents a precise and real property of the reference sample. Based on this comparison a calibration value can be determined that is applicable to perform a calibration of the optical analysis system with respect to at least one compound or analyte of the reference sample. Parameters and reference parameters of a reference sample may refer to a concentration of an analyte dissolved in the sample, or to spectroscopic background signals that have to be taken into account when performing a spectral analysis based on optical signals obtained from the reference sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system for non invasive spectral analysis of substances or biological structures (114, 116) that are located in a plurality of various volumes of interest (110, 112). The inventive spectroscopic system makes use of a multiplicity of various probe heads (106, 108) that are connected to a base station (100) providing a spectroscopic light source (104) and spectroscopic analysis means (102) . By additionally implementing a coupling unit (132) the present invention allows to realize a spectroscopic analysis environment that makes spectroscopic analysis available in a variety of different locations, e.g. various rooms of a hospital.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for treating human skin by means of radiation. The device comprises a housing (3) with a radiation exit opening (13). A radiation source (9) is accommodated in the housing. Radiation generated by the radiation source propagates from the radiation source towards the radiation exit opening via a radiation path (15) comprising a radiation filter having a predetermined transmission spectrum. According to the invention the radiation filter comprises a reflecting surface (23) via which the radiation propagating along the radiation path (15) is reflected. The reflecting surface has a coating which provides the reflecting surface with a reflection spectrum substantially matching the predetermined transmission spectrum. An advantage is that the reflection surface can be optimally and uniformly cooled, so that the heat generated as a result of the absorption of part of the radiation by the radiation filter can be effectively transmitted to a cooling system (25) of the device (1).

Abstract: A spectroscopic system which determines a property of a biological structure in a volume of interest of a person includes a low cost objective lens for directing an excitation beam into a volume of interest and for collecting return radiation from the volume of interest. After detection of the return radiation and generation of spectroscopic signals, a correction unit performs a compensation for aberrations of the spectroscopic signals introduced by the low cost objective lens. Since the aberrations of the objective lens strongly depend on the lateral distance of the volume of interest from the optical axis of the objective lens, the correction unit uses a correction table providing an assignment between correction values and various lateral positions of the volume of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient approach of attaching and fixing a measurement head for a spectroscopic system to a variety of different parts of the skin of a patient. The measurement head preferably features a compact design providing a flexible handling and offering a huge variety of application areas taking into account the plurality of properties of various portions of the skin. Furthermore, the measurement head features a robust and uncomplicated optical design not requiring a lateral shifting of the optical axis of the objective. Such transverse relative movements between the objective and a capillary vessel in the skin are preferably performed by mechanically shifting the skin with respect to the objective of the measurement head. Moreover, the measurement head is adapted to host one or more pressure sensors measuring the contact pressure between the measurement head and the skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for removing hair The system comprises a hair detection device and a hair-removing device (20). Since 3D information on hairs (32) is required, but due to the very dispersed presence of, e.g., human hairs (32) on skin (30), known detection devices are too slow, the invention provides a combination of two image sensors. A first image sensor (12) produces a first image, based on which a selected part is imaged with a second image sensor (14) that provides the required 3D position information with which the hair-removing device (20) can remove the hair Thus, optimum use may be made of both fast but less accurate image sensors, such as (2D) CCDs or CMOS sensors, and accurate but slow sensors such as 3D scanning sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system as well as a method of autonomous tuning of a spectroscopic system and a corresponding computer program product. By detecting the position of return radiation in a transverse plane of an aperture of a spectroscopic analysis unit, a control signal can be generated that allows to drive servo driven translation or tilting stages of optical components. In this way a transverse misalignment of a spectroscopic system can be effectively detected. Generally, a plurality of different detection schemes are realizable allowing for an autonomous, tuning of the spectroscopic system and for autonomous elimination of misalignment of a spectroscopic system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system for non invasive spectral analysis of substances or biological structures (114, 116) that are located in a plurality of various volumes of interest (110, 112). The inventive spectroscopic system makes use of a multiplicity of various probe heads (106, 108) that are connected to a base station (100) providing a spectroscopic light source (104) and spectroscopic analysis means (102) . By additionally implementing a coupling unit (132) the present invention allows to realize a spectroscopic analysis environment that makes spectroscopic analysis available in a variety of different locations, e.g. various rooms of a hospital.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for treating human skin by means of radiation. The device has a housing (5) with a radiation exit opening (13), a radiation source (9) which is accommodated in the housing, and a radiation path (15) between the radiation source and the radiation exit opening. A radiation filter (17) is provided in the radiation path. According to the invention the radiation filter (17) comprises water (23) which is in solid state at least during an initial phase of operation of the device (1). The water in solid state has an optical transmission spectrum which corresponds to the optical transmission spectrum of water in liquid state as present in the skin. As a result the water in solid state acts as an ideal filter for the IR light and near IR light, which would otherwise be absorbed by the water in the skin and cause unwanted heating of the skin.