Abstract: A system and method to distinguish normal cells from cells having undergone a biochemical change. A pre-determined vector space is selected where the vector space mathematically describes a first plurality of reference spectral data sets for normal cells and a second plurality of reference spectral data sets for cells having undergone a biochemical change. A sample is irradiated to generate a target spectral data set based on photons absorbed, reflected, emitted, or scattered by the sample. The target spectral data set is transformed into a pre-determined vector space. A distribution of transformed data is analyzed in the pre-determined vector space. Based on the analysis, the sample is classified as containing normal cells, cells having undergone a biochemical change, and combinations thereof. The method includes treating the sample with a pharmaceutical agent prior to irradiating the sample and using the classification to assess the efficiency of the pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying an unknown substance in a sample comprising multiple entities. A method may comprise generating a RGB image representative of a sample and assessing said RGB image to identify at least one region of interest. This region of interest may he assessed to generate a spatially accurate wavelength resolved image, which may be a hyperspectral image. This spatially accurate wavelength resolved image may comprise a fluorescence, Raman, near infrared, short wave infrared, mid wave infrared and/or long wave infrared image. This spatially accurate wavelength resolved image may be assessed to identify said unknown substance. A system may comprise: a reference database, a first detector for generating an RGB image, a second detector for generating a spatially accurate wavelength resolved image, and a means for assessing said RGB image and said spatially accurate wavelength resolved image.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: A system and method to search spectral databases and to identify unknown materials. A library comprising sublibraries is provided, each sublibrary containing a plurality of reference data sets corresponding to known materials. Test data sets are provided, characteristic of an unknown material. Each test data set is generated by one or more spectroscopic data generating instruments. Each sublibrary is searched and a corresponding set of scores is produced, indicating a likelihood of a match. Relative probability values are calculated for each searched sublibrary. All relative probability values are fused producing a set of final probability values, used to determine whether the unknown material is represented through a known material in the library. A highest final probability value is selected compared to a minimum confidence value. If the probability value is greater than or equal to the minimum confidence value, the known material is reported.

Abstract: A system and method to search spectral databases and to identify unknown materials from multiple spectroscopic data in the databases. The methodology may be substantially automated and is configurable to determine weights to be accorded to spectroscopic data from different spectroscopic data generating instruments for improved identification of unknown materials. Library spectra from known materials are divided into training and validation sets. Initial, instrument-specific weighting factors are determined using a weight grid or weight scale. The training and validation spectra are weighted with the weighting factors and indicator probabilities for various sets of “coarse” weighting factors are determined through an iterative process. The finally-selected set of coarse weighting factors is further “fine tuned” using a weight grid with finer values of weights.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: System and method for assessing the occurrence of an unknown substance in a sample that comprises multiple entities. A reference library is provided comprising a plurality of reference data sets representative of at least one known substance. A first feature of the entities is assessed wherein the first feature is characteristic of the unknown substance. A region of interest is selected wherein the region of interest comprises at least one entity exhibiting the first feature. A spatially accurate wavelength resolved Raman image is obtained wherein each pixel in the image is the Raman spectrum of the sample at the corresponding location. The spatially accurate wavelength resolved image is assessed to thereby identify the unknown substance.

Abstract: System and method for assessing the occurrence of an unknown substance in a sample that comprises multiple entities. A reference library is provided comprising a plurality of reference data sets representative of at least one known substance. A first feature of the entities is assessed wherein the first feature is characteristic of the unknown substance. A region of interest is selected wherein the region of interest comprises at least one entity exhibiting the first feature. A spatially accurate wavelength resolved Raman image is obtained wherein each pixel in the image is the Raman spectrum of the sample at the corresponding location. The spatially accurate wavelength resolved image is assessed to thereby identify the unknown substance.

Abstract: A system and method to distinguish normal cells from cells having undergone a biochemical change. A pre-determined vector space is selected where the vector space mathematically describes a first plurality of reference spectral data sets for normal cells and a second plurality of reference spectral data sets for cells having undergone a biochemical change. A sample is irradiated to generate a target spectral data set based on photons absorbed, reflected, emitted, or scattered by the sample. The target spectral data set is transformed into a pre-determined vector space. A distribution of transformed data is analyzed in the pre-determined vector space. Based on the analysis, the sample is classified as containing normal cells, cells having undergone a biochemical change, and combinations thereof. The method includes treating the sample with a pharmaceutical agent prior to irradiating the sample and using the classification to assess the efficiency of the pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and classifying an unknown substance in a sample include the steps of (a) providing a spectrum for each of a predetermined number of reference substances; (b) detecting an area of interest that contains the unknown substance; (c) targeting the area of interest; (d) determining a spectrum of the unknown substance from the area of interest; (e) comparing the determined spectrum of the unknown substance with the spectrum of one or more of the reference substances; and (f) classifying the unknown substance based on the comparison of spectra.

Abstract: A system and method to distinguish normal cells from apoptotic cells. A pre-determined vector space is selected where the vector space mathematically describes a first plurality of reference Raman data sets for normal cells and a second plurality of reference Raman data sets for apoptotic cells. A sample is irradiated with substantially monochromatic light generating a target Raman data set based on scattered photons. The target Raman data set is transformed into a vector space defined by the pre-determined vector space. A distribution of transformed data is analyzed in the pre-determined vector space. Based on the analysis, the sample is classified as containing normal cells, apoptotic cells, and a combination of normal and apoptotic cells. The sample includes the step of treating the sample with a pharmaceutical agent prior to irradiating the sample. Based on the classification, the therapeutic efficiency of the pharmaceutical agent is assessed.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for assessing occurrence of a hazardous agent in a sample by performing multimodal spectral analysis of the sample. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy for entities in a sample which exhibit one or more optical properties characteristic of a hazardous agent are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing data from an unknown substance, whereby target data representative of an unknown substance is received and compared to reference data associated with one or more known substances. Such comparison determines one or more candidate substances. After determining candidate substances, it is determined if the target data is unique to a candidate substance. If the target data is unique to one of the candidate substances, then this determination is confirmed with fusion. If the target data is not unique, then the target data may be subjected to fusion and unmixing with fusion. If analysis of the target data determines that an outlier is present, then this target data is added to a pool of unassigned data. The addition of this new data to the pool of unassigned data may result in clustering of enough of the previously unassigned data to form a new candidate class.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for assessing occurrence of a hazardous agent in a sample by performing multimodal spectral analysis of the sample. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy for entities in a sample which exhibit one or more optical properties characteristic of a hazardous agent are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method to search spectra databases and to identify unknown materials. A library having a plurality of sublibraries is provided wherein each sublibrary contains a plurality of reference data sets generated by a corresponding one of a plurality of spectroscopic data generating instruments associated with the sublibrary. Each reference data set characterizes a corresponding known material. A plurality of test data sets is provided that is characteristic of an unknown material, wherein each test data set is generated by one or more of the plurality of spectroscopic data generating instruments. For each test data set, each sublibrary is searched where the sublibrary is associated with the spectroscopic data generating instrument used to generate the test data set.

Abstract: A system and method to distinguish normal cells from apoptotic cells. A pre-determined vector space is selected where the vector space mathematically describes a first plurality of reference Raman data sets for normal cells and a second plurality of reference Raman data sets for apoptotic cells. A sample is irradiated with substantially monochromatic light generating a target Raman data set based on scattered photons. The target Raman data set is transformed into a vector space defined by the pre-determined vector space. A distribution of transformed data is analyzed in the pre-determined vector space. Based on the analysis, the sample is classified as containing normal cells, apoptotic cells, and a combination of normal and apoptotic cells. The sample includes the step of treating the sample with a pharmaceutical agent prior to irradiating the sample. Based on the classification, the therapeutic efficiency of the pharmaceutical agent is assessed.

Abstract: A system and method for automated baseline correction for Raman spectra is disclosed which may operate as a piecewise-linear baseline correction function. In an embodiment, a first set of data points from a Raman spectrum are determined to be baseline data points, a second set of data points from the Raman spectrum are determined to be baseline data points where the second set of data points are not contiguous with the first set of data points. The gap between the first and second set of data points is bridged by a straight line thereby forming an estimated baseline. The estimated baseline is smoothed and then subtracted from the Raman spectrum resulting in an adjusted-baseline Raman spectrum.