Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for disease detection. The apparatus and method use a radiation source to irradiate a sample. An analyzer measures the absorption and/or emission spectra from the sample to detect the presence of the disease state in the sample. In this regard, a comparator may compare the measured spectra with the spectrum of a control. Analysis of the parameters of the spectra including, but not limited to, peak intensity wavelength, amplitude at the peak intensity, area ratio of left and right portions of the emission spectra, and shifts of the peak intensity wavelength, allows determination of HIV infection, Hepatitis A, B and C, and other diseases. Selective absorbents, such as C-M Affi Gel Blue and activated charcoal, may be used to treat the samples before measurements, which is found to improve discrimination of diseased and non-diseased samples.

Abstract: A quantitative process for monitoring female fertility cycle wherein the process involves directing a laser beam, preferably generated by a diode laser, onto an area of a slide containing an air-dried sample of a female body fluid. The diffraction pattern resulting from the sample is detected by a two-dimensional photo diode array and analyzed by a microprocessor. If a ferning pattern exists, such pattern will generate a characteristic structure in the diffraction pattern which is then detected by the photo diode array. If no ferning occurs, the corresponding diffraction pattern will be structureless. The microprocessor is programmed with an algorithm to produce a quantitative index of ferning indicating quantitatively the ferning level. Preferably, a plurality of spots on the sample are measured to determine the ferning level at each spot, and the microprocessor then makes a final determination as to final ferning level on the basis of the test results of all of the spots.