Abstract: An improved system and method for calibrating spectrophotometric instruments for the effects of light source drift. An instrument includes both received light and reference light paths to a light sensor where light signals are converted to electrical signals to be used by a processor. A shutter is used to block or allow passage of one of the light signals to the sensor. When the selected light signal is blocked, the sensor produces an electrical signal representative only of the other signal. When the selected light signal is allowed to pass, the sensor produces an electrical signal representative of both light signals. By knowing the value of one of the signals by itself, the value of the other signal can be determined. The individual values are then processed to produce an output signal that is a function of both light signals. Further, because only one light path must be blocked, simpler structures for blocking the light may be used.

Abstract: An improved system and method for calibrating spectrophotometric instruments for the effects of light source drift. An instrument includes both received light and reference light paths to a light sensor where light signals are converted to electrical signals to be used by a processor. A shutter is used to block or allow passage of one of the light signals to the sensor. When the selected light signal is blocked, the sensor produces an electrical signal representative only of the other signal. When the selected light signal is allowed to pass, the sensor produces an electrical signal representative of both light signals. By knowing the value of one of the signals by itself, the value of the other signal can be determined. The individual values are then processed to produce an output signal that is a function of both light signals. Further, because only one light path must be blocked, simpler structures for blocking the light may be used.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric instrument including light signal sources, a detector, a processor/controller, a probe and a calibration device. The light signal sources include a source of measurement light signals having measurement light wavelengths and a source of a calibration light signal at a calibration detection wavelength which is different than the measurement light wavelengths. The probe has one or more send fibers coupled to the measurement and calibration light signal sources for transmitting the measurement light signals and the calibration light signal into tissue, and one or more receive fibers for receiving light including the measurement light signals and the calibration light signal. The calibration device is adapted to receive the probe and has an optical filter for transmitting the measurement light signals but not the calibration light signal. The detector is coupled to the receive fibers to generate electrical signals representative of the light received at the receive fibers.

Abstract: An optical connector latch to optically couple at least one optical fiber ferrule on an interface housing with an optics receptacle mount on an instrument and a method of using the same. The optical connector latch comprises one or more shell pegs adapted to advance the interface housing into engagement with the optics receptacle mount. One or more ferrule pins are adapted to extend through latch holes in the interface housing and latch holes in the optics receptacle mount to engage with the optical fiber ferrule. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shell pegs and the ferrule pins toward the optics receptacle mount.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric instrument including a source of measurement light signals having measurement light wavelengths, and a probe having a tissue-engaging surface, a plurality of send fibers coupled to the measurement light signal source for transmitting the measurement light signals to the tissue-engaging surface, and a plurality of receive fibers for receiving light including the measurement light signals after the measurement light has been transmitted through the tissue.