Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma is provided. The method includes illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images. The processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method including: illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images; wherein the processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method including: illuminating a sample of the fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between the sample and the spatially coherent light beam; and processing the time series of images; wherein the processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in the speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating the amount of entities deposited on microparticles in suspension in a solution, and also to an associated device. The method comprises the following steps: (a) the solution is illuminated with a light source; (b) an optical signal formed by the scattering, in the solution, of the illuminating light is detected; (c) the optical signal obtained in step (b) is analyzed in order to obtain an indicator relating to this signal; (d) the indicator obtained in step (c) is compared with a reference indicator, obtained for a reference solution, the comparison making it possible to estimate the amount of entities deposited on the microparticles.

Abstract: In the field of videoendoscopes for medical or industrial use, a videoendoscope has a bispectral optical head comprising a microcamera, white light lighting means and fluorescence light lighting means. The optical head is linked by appropriate electrical and optical connectors to the other elements of the videoendoscope. Preferably, it comprises inexpensive standard elements and is packaged in a single-use sterile packaging. There are different possible embodiments depending on whether the optical head comprises a single sensor or two sensors, depending on whether the device operates in continuous mode or in sequential mode and, finally, depending on whether the light sources are incorporated in the optical head or external thereto, the light being then routed by means of optical fibres.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating the amount of entities deposited on microparticles in suspension in a solution, and also to an associated device. The method comprises the following steps: (a) the solution is illuminated with a light source; (b) an optical signal formed by the scattering, in the solution, of the illuminating light is detected; (c) the optical signal obtained in step (b) is analyzed in order to obtain an indicator relating to this signal; (d) the indicator obtained in step (c) is compared with a reference indicator, obtained for a reference solution, the comparison making it possible to estimate the amount of entities deposited on the microparticles.

Abstract: Optical probes for medical applications are provided. The probe is devised so as to be able to be held in one hand. A basic version of the probe includes: a first excitation lighting source suitable for causing a fluorescence radiation of predetermined substances; a second visible lighting source, the first and the second source being devised so as to illuminate a common zone termed the intervention zone; a first photosensitive matrix sensor; and a second photosensitive matrix sensor. The first and second photosensitive matrix sensors are devised in such a way that, when the optical probe is arranged a predetermined distance from the intervention zone, the image in the visible spectrum of the said zone is formed on the photosensitive surface of the first matrix sensor and the image in the fluorescence spectrum of the said zone is formed on the photosensitive surface of the second sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of optically imaging at least one biological tissue, in particular to define areas of interest of tissue(s) to be analyzed by tomography.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the coagulation or sedimentation dynamics of a fluid such as whole blood, a blood fraction, or blood plasma, the method comprising: illuminating a sample of said fluid with a beam of coherent light; acquiring a time series of images of a speckle pattern generated by interaction between said sample and said spatially coherent light beam; and processing said time series of images; wherein said processing step includes calculating a function representative of the variation in said speckle pattern between two or more images of the series. The invention also provides a device for implementing such a method.

Abstract: The inventive optical device for measuring the thickness of a medium which is at least partially transparent for an incident beam and covers a second medium comprises a laser for generating the light incident beam in such a way that a beam reflected by the first medium surface and a beam scattered by the second medium surface are formed. The device comprises a photosensitive linear array for detecting the reflected beam and the scattered beam and a processing circuit which is connected to the linear array and enables to measure a space between the reflected beam and the scattered beam and to determine the thickness of the first medium according to the measured space. The processing circuit determines a distance between the linear array and the surface of the second medium from the position of at least one beam and corrects the valve of the thickness of the first medium according to the distance.

Abstract: A first light source has a first wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of a fluorophore. The excitation wavelength and an emission wavelength of the fluorophore delineate a predetermined interval. A second light source has a second wavelength offset with respect to the first wavelength so as to be outside said predetermined interval. The offset between the first and second wavelengths is comprised between 30 nm and 100 nm. A camera comprises a filter opaque to the first and second wavelengths and transparent to the emission wavelength and to wavelengths substantially higher than the higher of the first and second wavelengths. The light sources and camera are synchronized to alternately activate one of the light sources and make the camera alternately acquire a fluorescence image and a background noise image.

Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of peroperative optical probes designed to assist surgeons in performing medical procedures. The optical probes of the fluorescence type according to the invention are designed to be used on living tissues where the diseased areas have been marked by a fluorescent marker. They have dual lighting. The first situated in the red or near-infrared spectrum is necessary for achieving the fluorescence of the marked areas and for obtaining an image exploitable by a camera. The second situated in the visible spectrum is necessary for illuminating the marked areas with visible light, thus making the surgeon's work easier. The visible lighting can be punctiform or can be provided by an image projector. In the latter case, the projected image illuminates only the diseased areas.

Abstract: The inventive optical device for measuring the thickness of a medium which is at least partially transparent for an incident beam and covers a second medium comprises a laser for generating the light incident beam in such a way that a beam reflected by the first medium surface and a beam scattered by the second medium surface are formed. The device comprises a photosensitive linear array for detecting the reflected beam and the scattered beam and a processing circuit which is connected to the linear array and enables to measure a space between the reflected beam and the scattered beam and to determine the thickness of the first medium according to the measured space. The processing circuit determines a distance between the linear array and the surface of the second medium from the position of at least one beam and corrects the valve of the thickness of the first medium according to the distance.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring the displacement velocity of a first movable element in relation to a second element which is fixed to one of said elements and comprises two lasers transmitting two incident beams towards the other elements. The device including photosensitive linear arrays for front and rear detection which are substantially perpendicular to each other. Additional front and rear photosensitive linear arrays are disposed at a distance from the photosensitive front and rear linear arrays. A processing circuit is connected to the photosensitive linear arrays and determines the longitudinal and/or transversal displacement velocity of the movable element. The circuit also determines the distance between the device and the other element by means of optical triangulation and corrects the longitudinal and/or transversal displacement velocity value according of the said distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of optically imaging at least one biological tissue, in particular to define areas of interest of tissue(s) to be analyzed by tomography.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring the displacement velocity of a first movable element in relation to a second element which is fixed to one of said elements and comprises two lasers transmitting two incident beams towards the other elements. The device including photosensitive linear arrays for front and rear detection which are substantially perpendicular to each other. Additional front and rear photosensitive linear arrays are disposed at a distance from the photosensitive front and rear linear arrays. A processing circuit is connected to the photosensitive linear arrays and determines the longitudinal and/or transversal displacement velocity of the movable element. The circuit also determines the distance between the device and the other element by means of optical triangulation and corrects the longitudinal and/or transversal displacement velocity value according of the said distance.

Abstract: An optical microscope is adapted for observation of several spots of an object by a modifiable optical transmission screen placed on the path of the optical beam and able to generate in the object plane a screen image coinciding substantially with the spots of the object. The modifiable optical transmission screen can comprise a matrix of mirrors, each of the mirrors presenting a first position enabling the light beam to be reflected to the object along the optical path and a second position enabling the light beam to be diverted from the optical path. Alternatively, the modifiable optical transmission screen can comprise a matrix of liquid crystal elements, each of the liquid crystal elements presenting a first transparent state, a second opaque state and, possibly, a third polarising state. The light source can be a light-emitting diode array.

Abstract: This invention relates to an analytical support containing a plurality of oligonucleotides fixed on this support, where each of the nucleotides is marked by a fluorescent compound that presents a variation of fluorescence on the hybridization of each marked oligonucleotide with at complementary oligonucleotide. This support makes it possible to carry out an analysis of biological targets by measuring the variation of fluorescence in order to determine the hybridization of the targets with the oligonucleotides of the support.

Abstract: An optical microscope is adapted for observation of several spots of an object by a modifiable optical transmission screen placed on the path of the optical beam and able to generate in the object plane a screen image coinciding substantially with the spots of the object. The modifiable optical transmission screen can comprise a matrix of mirrors, each of the mirrors presenting a first position enabling the light beam to be reflected to the object along the optical path and a second position enabling the light beam to be diverted from the optical path. Alternatively, the modifiable optical transmission screen can comprise a matrix of liquid crystal elements, each of the liquid crystal elements presenting a first transparent state, a second opaque state and, possibly, a third polarising state. The light source can be a light-emitting diode array.

Abstract: Device for observation of samples by fluorescence, particularly sequentially.