Abstract: An optical probe, instrument, and method for measuring a tissue sample. The optical probe comprises a needle having a needle tip formed to penetrate a tissue surface and an optical waveguide arranged to transmit light through the needle; and a probe housing for holding the needle and comprising at least one of an actuator or a sensor configured to receive or generate a depth signal to determine a depth position of the needle tip relative to the tissue surface.

Abstract: An optical probe, instrument, and method for measuring a tissue sample. The optical probe comprises a needle having a needle tip formed to penetrate a tissue surface and an optical waveguide arranged to transmit light through the needle; and a probe housing for holding the needle and comprising at least one of an actuator or a sensor configured to receive or generate a depth signal to determine a depth position of the needle tip relative to the tissue surface.

Abstract: Method and instrument for analysing a tissue sample. Localized concentrations of an analyte are measured at a plurality of spaced apart locations around a controlled depth. Spatial variance of the analyte is calculated based on the measured analyte concentrations. The procedure is repeated while varying the controlled depth to obtain the spatial variance as a function of depth. Tissue at a particular depth may be evaluated as tumour tissue when the spatial variance is below the threshold. For example, a section distance is calculated between the tissue surface and a depth where the measured spatial variance crosses a predetermined threshold variance. Feedback can be provided based on a comparison between a calculated section distance and a pre-set minimum section margin.

Abstract: Method and instrument for analysing a tissue sample. Localized concentrations of an analyte are measured at a plurality of spaced apart locations around a controlled depth. Spatial variance of the analyte is calculated based on the measured analyte concentrations. The procedure is repeated while varying the controlled depth to obtain the spatial variance as a function of depth. Tissue at a particular depth may be evaluated as tumour tissue when the spatial variance is below the threshold. For example, a section distance is calculated between the tissue surface and a depth where the measured spatial variance crosses a predetermined threshold variance. Feedback can be provided based on a comparison between a calculated section distance and a pre-set minimum section margin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for non-invasive determination of the potential presence of one or more loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene encoding for filaggrin. The method of the invention comprises (i) obtaining a vibrational spectrum from the stratum corneum of the individual; (ii) determining the local natural moisturising factor content from the vibrational spectrum; (iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii); and (iv) comparing the local natural moisturising factor content of the individual to a reference value, wherein said stratum corneum is stratum corneum of a location of the body of said individual at which said one or more loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene encoding for filaggrin has a stronger influence on the natural moisturising factor concentration than other factors influencing the natural moisturising factor concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for typing or identification of a micro-organism using vibrational spectroscopy, characterised in that, differences in one or more vibrational spectroscopic signal contributions from one or more bleachable components between different spectra obtained of a sample of said micro-organism, and/or between spectra of different samples of said micro-organism, and/or between spectra of samples of different micro-organisms, are substantially eliminated as a source of signal variance in a dataset of said spectra, said bleachable components being molecules possessing vibrational spectral bands that upon exposure to light show a reduction in signal intensity.

Abstract: An instrument, method, use and software program to obtain information rapidly about microorganisms that may spread uncontrolled in hospitals, water supply, food or when used in bio terrorism are described. Vibrational spectroscopy provides data to a computer linked to one or more databases. Comparison of the spectral data and information retrieved from the databases is used to identify and classify the microorganisms, applying suitable algorithms, which algorithms are self-generating and self-adapting to new spectroscopic data. The system may alert for the detection of an outbreak or to take disinfection measures. Changes in the traditional taxonomic division of microorganisms have no influence on the instrument. It does not rely on an a priori knowledge about the taxonomic classification of the microbial strain, is straightforward and easily integrated in routine microbial procedures.

Abstract: A spectroscopic apparatus for determining a concentration and/or spatial gradient of an analyte of a bodily fluid that provides determination of a position of a capillary vessel within a biological sample in order to focus spectroscopic excitation radiation to a volume that is in close proximity to the capillary vessel but does not overlap with the capillary vessel. The provided apparatus exploits the permeability of the vessel wall with respect to an analyte that is subject to analyte concentration determination. By means of biological transport processes, the concentration of an analyte of a bodily fluid located in the capillary vessel influences the concentration in the surrounding of the capillary vessel. Spectroscopic analysis of a volume outside the capillary vessel can therefore serve for a precise and reliable analyte concentration determination inside the capillary vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using Raman spectra to identify unknown mutations in a gene, more specifically the filaggrin gene. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method to determine if a person has a homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the filaggrin-gene comprising measurement of the presence of tyrosine in the skin. Preferably said measurements are performed by Rama spectrography and on the tsiie of the skin, most preferably on the palm of the hand. Further, when these measurements are taken together with measurements of the NMF content of the skin it, the present invention relates to a method of classifying atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for typing or identification of a micro-organism using vibrational spectroscopy, characterised in that, differences in one or more vibrational spectroscopic signal contributions from one or more bleachable components between different spectra obtained of a sample of said micro-organism, and/or between spectra of different samples of said micro-organism, and/or between spectra of samples of different micro-organisms, are substantially eliminated as a source of signal variance in a dataset of said spectra, said bleachable components being molecules possessing vibrational spectral bands that upon exposure to light show a reduction in signal intensity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for non-invasive determination of the potential presence of one or more loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene encoding for filaggrin. The method of the invention comprises (i) obtaining a vibrational spectrum from the stratum corneum of the individual; (ii) determining the local natural moisturising factor content from the vibrational spectrum; (iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii); and (iv) comparing the local natural moisturising factor content of the individual to a reference value, wherein said stratum corneum is stratum corneum of a location of the body of said individual at which said one or more loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene encoding for filaggrin has a stronger influence on the natural moisturising factor concentration than other factors influencing the natural moisturising factor concentration.

Abstract: A Raman spectrum is measured inside animal tissue, such us human skin tissue, at a selected depth from a surface the tissue. A pH value is computed using a function that assigns a pH value as a function of the measured Raman spectrum. The computation may involve computing a number representing a ratio of concentrations of a protonated and a deprotonated version of a chemical substance from the Raman spectrum and generating pH information on the basis of said number. The chemical substance is for example a form of Urocanic acid (UCA). UV exposure is measured from the weight of the spectrum of cis-UCA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spectroscopic apparatus for non-invasive in vivo analysis of blood and to a corresponding analysis method, in particular for direct determination of the pH value of the blood. From a Raman signal detected from an excited target region containing blood at least one predetermined pH sensitive signal portion is determined, from which the pH value of the blood in the target region by use of a relationship between pH value and one or more band parameters of pH sensitive vibrations of at least one molecule or part of a molecule present in blood, in particular heme vibrations of hemoglobin, is determined.

Abstract: The invention is related to the instrument for measuring a Raman signal of tissue, the instrument comprising a laser, a signal detection unit for measuring the Raman signal, and a fiber optic probe, wherein the fiber optic probe comprises one or more optical fibers for directing laser light onto the tissue and for collecting light that is scattered by the tissue and guiding the collected light away from the tissue towards the signal detection unit, wherein the fiber or fibers for collecting light have substantially no Raman signal in one or more parts of the 2500-3700 cm?1 spectral region, and wherein the detection unit records the Raman signal scattered by the tissue in said spectral region. The invention enables ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo analysis and diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaque and detection of tumor tissue with great advantages over current state-of-the-art technology.

Abstract: The spectrum of light, inelastically scattered by a sample (16) is measured. The light is guided through a capillary (12) from and to the sample, at least in one of these directions, through the channel no inelastic scattering of light occurs which can form an interfering background when measuring on the sample. By guiding the light through the channel, inelastic scattering of this light is prevented and it becomes possible to guide scattered light back through the channel to spectral analysis equipment (14) without problems with inelastic scattering during the guidance of the light. Preferably, the light is guided through the channel of the capillary in both directions.

Abstract: Incoming light is spectrally analyzed by diffracting the incoming light with a grating. At least a part of the incoming light is split off so that this part contains mainly one polarization component of the incoming light. It is ensured that this split-off part and a remaining part of the incoming light reach the grating with their polarized component mainly parallel to a main direction of polarization which is diffracted with maximal efficiency by the grating. For this purpose, at least the split-off part is diffracted after being passed through a polarization rotating element.

Abstract: The spectrum of light, inelastically scattered by a sample (16) is measured. The light is guided through a capillary (12) from and to the sample, at least in one of these directions, through the channel no inelastic scattering of light occurs which can form an interfering background when measuring on the sample. By guiding the light through the channel, inelastic scattering of this light is prevented and it becomes possible to guide scattered light back through the channel to spectral analysis equipment (14) without problems with inelastic scattering during the guidance of the light. Preferably, the light is guided through the channel of the capillary in both directions.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, comprises an excitation system (exs) for emitting an excitation beam (exb) to excite a target region during an excitation period. A monitoring system (lso) is provided for emitting a monitoring beam (irb) to image the target region during a monitoring period. The monitoring period and the excitation period being substantially overlap, so that monitoring the target region is maintained during excitation. The analysis apparatus is provided with a tracking system (osc, dcu) to control the excitation system to direct the excitation beam onto the target region.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus including a spectroscopic analysis apparatus comprises an excitation system and a monitoring system. The excitation system emits an excitation beam to excite a target region during an excitation period. The monitoring system emits a monitoring beam to image the target region during a monitoring period. The excitation period and the monitoring period substantially overlap. Hence the target region is imaged together with the excitation, and an image is formed displaying both the target region and the excitation area. On the basis of this image, the excitation beam can be very accurately aimed at the target region.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, comprises an excitation system (exs) for emitting an excitation beam (exb) to excite a target region during an excitation period. A monitoring system (lso) is provided for emitting a monitoring beam (irb) to image the target region during a monitoring period. The monitoring period and the excitation period being substantially overlap, so that monitoring the target region is maintained during excitation. The analysis apparatus is provided with a tracking system (osc, dcu) to control the excitation system to direct the excitation beam onto the target region.