Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled delivery of laser light to target tissue using an improved waveguide. A waveguide controls transmission of wave energy to a target based on direct contact with the target. The waveguide comprises a propagation medium, a cladding causing the electromagnetic wave to be internally reflected in the medium, and an interface formed in the cladding and configured for direct contact with the target. A portion of the laser light penetrates through the cladding at the interface and propagates into the target while a portion internally reflects within the propagation medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled delivery of laser light to target tissue using an improved waveguide. A waveguide controls transmission of wave energy to a target based on direct contact with the target. The waveguide comprises a propagation medium, a cladding causing the electromagnetic wave to be internally reflected in the medium, and an interface formed in the cladding and configured for direct contact with the target. A portion of the laser light penetrates through the cladding at the interface and propagates into the target while a portion internally reflects within the propagation medium.

Abstract: An example system for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid comprises a test chamber having at least one sidewall and configured to contain at least a portion of a bodily fluid sample, an excitation electromagnetic energy source configured to direct an energy source into the test chamber through the at least one sidewall and to induce a thermoelastic expansion in the one or more analytes, and a sensor configured to detect said thermoelastic expansion in the bodily fluid sample in the test chamber, the sensor configured to measure changes in optical reflectance that result from the thermoelastic expansion.

Abstract: An example method for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid includes the steps of exposing the bodily fluid sample to electromagnetic energy to cause a thermoelastic expansion in the analyte, and detecting a photoacoustic signal in the sample that results from the thermoelastic expansion.

Abstract: An example method for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid comprises the steps of exposing the bodily fluid sample to electromagnetic energy to cause a thermoelastic expansion in the analyte, and detecting a photoacoustic signal in the sample that results from the thermoelastic expansion.

Abstract: An example method for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid comprises the steps of exposing the bodily fluid sample to electromagnetic energy to cause a thermoelastic expansion in the analyte, and detecting a photoacoustic signal in the sample that results from the thermoelastic expansion.

Abstract: A preferred system for detecting an analyte in solid tissue, such as an intact lymph node, in vitro includes a laser arranged to generate a pulsed laser beam into solid tissue, which can be a fully intact lymph node. An acoustic sensor, and preferably at least three acoustic sensors are arranged in different positions to span a three dimensional space, such as in an X, Y and Z coordinate system, to detect photoacoustic signals generated within the lymph node. At least one computer receives signals from the acoustic sensor(s). The computer determines the presence or absence of, and preferably the position of analyte, from the signals and the timing of the signals. A preferred method for detecting an analyte in a lymph node in vitro includes exposing an extracted lymph node to a pulsed laser beam. A photoacoustic signal is sensed. The photoacoustic signal is analyzed to confirm the presence or absence of an analyte in the lymph node.

Abstract: An example system for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid comprises a test chamber having at least one sidewall and configured to contain at least a portion of a bodily fluid sample, an excitation electromagnetic energy source configured to direct an energy source into the test chamber through the at least one sidewall and to induce a thermoelastic expansion in the one or more analytes, and a sensor configured to detect said thermoelastic expansion in the bodily fluid sample in the test chamber, the sensor configured to measure changes in optical reflectance that result from the thermoelastic expansion.

Abstract: A photoacoustic probe for port wine stain (PWS), burn and melanin depth measurements is comprised of optical fibers for laser light delivery and a piezoelectric element for acoustic detection. The probe induced and measured photoacoustic waves in acryl amide tissue phantoms and PWS skin in vivo. Acoustic waves were denoised using spline wavelet transforms, then deconvolved with the impulse response of the probe to yield initial subsurface pressure distributions in phantoms and skin. The waves were then analyzed for epidermal melanin concentration, using a photoacoustic melanin index (PAMI) related to the amount of laser energy absorbed by melanin. Propagation time of the photoacoustic wave was used to determine the depth of blood perfusion underlying necrotic, burned tissue. Thus, the photoacoustic probe can be used for determining PWS, burn and melanin depth for most patients receiving laser therapy.

Abstract: An example method for detecting an analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid comprises the steps of exposing the bodily fluid sample to electromagnetic energy to cause a thermoelastic expansion in the analyte, and detecting a photoacoustic signal in the sample that results from the thermoelastic expansion.

Abstract: A photoacoustic probe for port wine stain (PWS), burn and melanin depth measurements is comprised of optical fibers for laser light delivery and a piezoelectric element for acoustic detection. The probe induced and measured photoacoustic waves in acryl amide tissue phantoms and PWS skin in vivo. Acoustic waves were denoised using spline wavelet transforms, then deconvolved with the impulse response of the probe to yield initial subsurface pressure distributions in phantoms and skin. The waves were then analyzed for epidermal melanin concentration, using a photoacoustic melanin index (PAMI) related to the amount of laser energy absorbed by melanin. Propagation time of the photoacoustic wave was used to determine the depth of blood perfusion underlying necrotic, burned tissue. Thus, the photoacoustic probe can be used for determining PWS, burn and melanin depth for most patients receiving laser therapy.