Abstract: Devices and techniques for continuously monitoring pressure and simultaneously monitoring changes in blood flow, vascular resistance, and/or vascular behavior are provided. The techniques are employed in measuring intracranial pressure (ICP), while simultaneously measuring cerebral blood flow and/or cerebrovascular resistance or behavior. A sensor device includes an optical and piezoelectric sensing assembly integrated into a deployable ICP monitoring device.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump-based apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood is provided that includes a feedback control architecture that uses models of pump operation and measures of internal pressure fluctuations of the pump (e.g., in the form time-varying and/or position-dependent pressure oscillation data) to adjust pump operating characteristics that smooth pump operation, thereby improving viscosity and consistency of fluid flowing through the pump to a connected microfluidic capture device.

Abstract: A method for noninvasively measuring hemodynamic variables of a person includes physically configuring a sensor to measure the pulse of a person. The sensor generates a pulse waveform indicative of the pulse of the person. A processor obtains the pulse waveform from the sensor and the processor determines a reflection coefficient and reflection delay between an incident and a reflected wave, from which the processor determines the hemodynamic variables of the person from the reflection coefficient and the reflection delay.

Abstract: A multi-photon optical probe includes a probe housing, a lateral scanning stage coupled to a lateral mirror assembly and a remote axial scanning stage coupled to an axial mirror assembly. The lateral scanning stage is adapted to scan output laser energy over a planar scan area of the sample by moving the lateral mirror assembly. The axial scanning stage is adapted to scan the output laser energy over a vertical depth range of the sample, which, combined with the planar scan area, forms a 3-dimensional volume. A controller operates in conjunction with a number of remote actuating legs coupled to the axial mirror assembly in order to provide level imaging plane which in turn provides for a clear scanned image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a raw data set representing an image of a sample, identifying a first set of extremum by analyzing the raw data set using a metric algorithm, identifying a second set of extremum by analyzing the first set of extremum, and generating, based on the second set of extremum, a reconstructed image of the sample. A phase correcting scanner includes one or more processors, one or more scanner adapted to sequentially sample an object to generate a vector of raw data representing the object in a Lissajous pattern, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to receive the vector of raw data, identify a first set of extremum by analyzing the raw data set using a metric algorithm, and identify a second set of extremum by analyzing the first set of extremum.

Abstract: A wearable assembly has a pulse plethysmography (PPG) sensor and a piezoelectric pressure sensor and is attachable to a patient's finger or other area corresponding to a peripheral vascular region, and further includes a signal processor configured to monitor blood flow dependent measurements and pressure measurements over time, comparing these measurements to determine properties of the vascular region, such as vascular resistance of a blood vessel, vascular radius of the blood vessel, vascular stiffness of the vascular region, blood pressure, and/or cardiac vascular power. The signal processor may apply a hysteresis comparison of the sensor outputs, e.g., using an elliptical model, and in some examples may apply an extended Kalman filter for optimizing output of the vascular region properties.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for continuously monitoring pressure and simultaneously monitoring changes in blood flow, vascular resistance, and/or vascular behavior are provided. The techniques are employed in measuring intracranial pressure (ICP), while simultaneously measuring cerebral blood flow and/or cerebrovascular resistance or behavior. A sensor device includes an optical and piezoelectric sensing assembly integrated into a deployable ICP monitoring device.

Abstract: An optical probe scanning assembly for use in an optical probe includes a mirror assembly that focuses an illumination beam path and a collection beam path at a region of interest within the sample. The illumination beam and the collection beam overlap to form a confocal beam region. The mirror assembly is movable in an x-axis direction and in a y-axis direction to scan the confocal beam region within the sample. The scanning assembly further includes a scanning suspension system including a gimbal assembly connected to the mirror assembly to allow the mirror assembly to rotate about one or more axes. The mirror is thereby adapted to scan along at least two different orthogonal planes, one of which extends vertically into the sample.

Abstract: The invention is a passive, wearable sensor that uses a thin piezoelectric material to produce a time history of blood pressure of the patient, with signal processing algorithms to extract physiological information. The sensor consists of a piezoelectric transducer set in a polymer laminate that can be applied to the finger or wrist of the patient. During use, a combination of compressive and bending deformation in the piezoelectric layer in response to blood pressure in the finger or wrist as a voltage output. Using signal processing techniques, the raw signal is filtered and decomposed to obtain a information to form derivative signals such as blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse pressure variability, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate which can be very important pre-cursors in the monitoring of the patient's physiological conditions.

Abstract: A multi-photon optical probe includes a probe housing, a lateral scanning stage coupled to a lateral mirror assembly and a remote axial scanning stage coupled to an axial mirror assembly. The lateral scanning stage is adapted to scan output laser energy over a planar scan area of the sample by moving the lateral mirror assembly. The axial scanning stage is adapted to scan the output laser energy over a vertical depth range of the sample, which, combined with the planar scan area, forms a 3-dimensional volume. A controller operates in conjunction with a number of remote actuating legs coupled to the axial mirror assembly in order to provide level imaging plane which in turn provides for a clear scanned image.

Abstract: A wearable assembly has a pulse plethysmography (PPG) sensor and a piezoelectric pressure sensor and is attachable to a patient's finger or other area corresponding to a peripheralvascular region, and further includes a signal processor configured to monitor blood flow dependent measurements and pressure measurements over time, comparing these measurements to determine properties of the vascular region, such as vascular resistance of a blood vessel, vascular radius of the blood vessel, vascular stiffness of the vascular region, blood pressure, and/or cardiac vascular power. The signal processor may apply a hysteresis comparison of the sensor outputs, e.g., using an elliptical model, and in some examples may apply an extended Kalman filter for optimizing output of the vascular region properties.

Abstract: An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: The invention is a passive, wearable sensor that uses a thin piezoelectric material to produce a time history of blood pressure of the patient, with signal processing algorithms to extract physiological information. The sensor consists of a piezoelectric transducer set in a polymer laminate that can be applied to the finger or wrist of the patient. During use, a combination of compressive and bending deformation in the piezoelectric layer in response to blood pressure in the finger or wrist as a voltage output. Using signal processing techniques, the raw signal is filtered and decomposed to obtain a information to form derivative signals such as blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse pressure variability, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate which can be very important pre-cursors in the monitoring of the patient's physiological conditions.

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.