Abstract: A solid-state illuminator (103) for improved light delivery efficiency in general illumination in which a solid-state, broadband white LED light source (105) is coupled directly and advantageously to an integrated heat-sink or cooler (347) for thermal management. The integrated heat sink or cooler (347) is in thermal contact with the LED light source wires, bulb or lens, and may be placed prior to the light source end cap. The thermal management advantageously allows for more efficient and lower operating temperature at the LED light source, reducing the amount of power needed to produce a given amount of usable light, allowing delivered light intensity and/or light power density, and further facilitating integration of the illuminator and heat-sink or cooler (347) into a general illumination device or system. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved illuminator (103) for producing broadband light and delivering said light to a target (125) for measuring the color of the target which incorporates an integrated system comprising a solid-state white LED source (105) to illuminate the target with continuous, broadband illuminating light (114). After interaction with the sample, returning light (107) is either collected by a detector or a light collector such as fiber (141), or processed and analyzed by an analysis system such as color monitor (267), or both, creating a real-time integrated color sensor device or system that enables color detection, monitoring, identification, or analysis. A solid-state illuminator integrated with a color detector advantageously allows for a more compact, reduced heat producing, and more energy efficient manufacturable device, and further facilitates integration of the illuminator and detector into a microchip or lab-on-chip device or system. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ischemia detection system in two or more somatic measures, collected simultaneously or near-simultaneously, are provided for direct or computational comparison, in which light from light source A (103A) and source B (103B) is detected by a sensor (155), and a difference-weighted value is determined (167), thereby enhancing the value of the spectroscopic measurements over values taken individually and singly.

Abstract: An improved medical illuminator (103) with memory chip (241). The memory element retains information useful in the operation of the illuminator, such as probe identification, probe serial number, use history, calibration details, or other information. Further, the illuminator with information chip can be incorporated into a medical probe or device, such as a pulse oximeter system or probe, as well as to be used in surgical devices or other equipment that require illumination. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: An improved circulating cell counter for generating light, and for delivering this light to a site in vivo for determining the presence, absence, concentration or count of a target cell, in which a light source such as a laser diode (121) and integrated optics (153) produce a beam transmitted to an in vivo target region (165), such as a capillary bed with flowing cells in a living tissue. Based upon the movement of cells in and out of this region, a circulating cell count (192) is generated, allowing determination of the presence, absence, concentration or count of the target cell. Use with optical, magnetic, or nanobot contrast agents, and methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A biometric device for detecting biological tissue based upon ratiometric measurements of metabolic and/or biochemical intermediates is provided in which a radiation source (103) is electromagnetically coupled to a target region (125). A radiation sensor (155) receives emission signals (128) from the target region as a result of emitted radiation (121) interacting with the target region. A CPU (167) receives a signal from the sensor, and provides a biometric output signal based upon the presence of live, healthy tissue versus sham or dead tissue. Optionally, a conventional, non-metabolism, non-biochemical-based biometric sensor can be incorporated into the present invention, and the biometric output signal is then a result of both the metabolism- and/or biochemical based and non-metabolism non-biochemical-based biometric determinations. A method of performing this biometric analysis is also described.

Abstract: We have discovered an improved lens system for biomedical optical imaging applications for collecting light from tissue with an improved efficiency and geometry, and for delivering collinear, pre-aligned illumination to a the sample, for the purpose of enabling imaging applications in which a catadioptric lens and mirror system (103) is used for light collection, and integrated collimating illumination optics and aperture (159) have been provided, has been constructed in accordance with the present invention to allow for high-efficiency light collection in operating room and radiology suite imaging geometries. The efficient collection of light from the collinear illumination, allows this lens system to operate at higher speeds and with improved ease-of-use, as well as to be integrated into a lens system (103), a medical probe (255), or a catheter (270). A medical system incorporating the improved device, and medical methods of use, are described.

Abstract: An improved spectroscopy illuminator (103) for generating broadband light and for delivering the light to a sample with an improved delivery efficiency, for higher optical density and/or reduced thermal transfer uses a solid-state broadband white LED (107) to produce broadband light (114), which is then transmitted to a sample region (125), such as a living tissue or blood in vivo or a biological sample in a spectrophotometer target region. The solid-state source keeps both the illuminator and sample cool during operation, allowing the illuminator to be integrated into the tip of a medical probe, a medical system such as an oximeter, or other monitoring systems or devices making measurements based on light scattering, absorbance, fluorescence, phosphorescence, Raman effects, use of a contrast agent, or other known spectroscopy techniques. Systems incorporating the improved illuminator, and methods of use are also disclosed.