Abstract: A liquid chromatography flow cell including an integrated light source and an integrated detection chamber. The integrated light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein each LED emits light of a specific wavelength. The light emitted from the integrated light source is directed to pass through a sample in a flow chamber of the flow cell without any optical conditioning, and the light not absorbed by the sample flows out of the flow chamber directly into the integrated detection chamber, where an intensity of the unabsorbed light is measured by detectors coupled to the integrated chamber.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for estimating meal start and peak meal response times are provided based on time series of sampled glucose data collected. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: One or more temperature measuring devices are described that comprise; thermal imaging cameras capable of detection and provision of an exact location of at least one created dynamic image scanned by and triangulated with at least two thermal imaging cameras, and a gate that provides a constrained targeted pathway through which at least one person must travel so that dynamic thermal data of the person is captured as the person is moving through the gate and wherein thermal imaging cameras are geometrically arranged in positions such that the thermal imaging cameras field of view exist on or within the gate and wherein the person is scanned and provides targeted dynamic thermal data that is converted into one or more temperature readings that measure and transmit the temperature readings from one or more photodetectors that sense thermal radiation naturally emitted by people passing through.

Abstract: Disclosed are analyte monitoring systems and methods for calibrating an analyte sensor using one or more reference measurements. These systems and methods may include using a conversion function and first sensor data to calculate a first sensor analyte level, weighting a first reference analyte measurement (RM1) and one or more previous reference analyte measurements according to a weighted average cost function, updating the conversion function using the weighted RM1 and the one or more weighted previous reference analyte measurements as calibration points, and using the updated conversion function and second sensor data to calculate a second sensor analyte level. In some aspects, the systems and methods may include updating one or more of lag parameters used to calculate the sensor analyte levels.

Abstract: A system includes first and second acquisition units that acquire first and second biological information of a target, and an estimation unit. The first acquisition unit includes at least one first sensor. The second acquisition unit includes at least one second sensor different from the at least one first sensor. The estimation unit estimates a thermal comfort of the target based on the first and second biological information. The estimation unit further estimates a first thermal comfort of the target based on the first biological information, and the thermal comfort of the target based on the first and second biological information. When the second acquisition unit does not acquire the second biological information, the estimation unit sets, as the thermal comfort of the target, the first thermal comfort that is corrected using previous thermal comfort of the target estimated by the estimation unit based on at least the second biological information previously acquired by the second acquisition unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out polarization resolved Raman spectroscopy on a sample (15), in particular a crystalline sample, comprises: at least one light source (11), in particular at least one laser, for providing excitation radiation to a sample (15), a spectrograph (31) for dividing light from the sample (15), in particular Raman scattered light from the sample (15), into at least one spectrum of spatially separated wavelength components and for directing at least a portion of the at least one spectrum to a detector (29), in particular a CCD detector, a polarization state control element (27) for the light from the sample (15), the polarization state control element (27) being arranged in a light path of at least one light beam (25) traveling from the sample (15) towards the detector (29), and the polarization state control element (27) comprising at least one polarization sensitive optical element (45, 47), in particular a Wollaston prism, the at least one polarization sensitive optical element being

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for accomplishing fast and accurate 3D registration of curves and surfaces using local differential information, i.e., normals and tangents. In an embodiment, a method solves the curve-vs-surface alignment problem either by using a purely online search scheme, or by taking advantage of the availability of a pre-operative model, which often happens in medical procedures, to further speed-up the computational search by performing offline processing of the pre-operative bone model. The disclosed method is also extended to solve the curve-vs-curve and surface-vs-surface alignment problems, which also have important applications in medical procedures such as arthroscopy and arthroplasty.

Abstract: A method for monitoring intoxication of a user, the method including: receiving a set of samples from a body region of a user; generating an intoxication metric based on the set of samples; and providing a notification to the user based on the intoxication metric. The method can additionally or alternatively include: modifying operation of the transdermal alcohol sensing device based on the intoxication metric; determining contextual data; maintaining a hydration level of the transdermal alcohol sensing device; and any other suitable processes. A system for monitoring intoxication of a user including a sensor and a housing. The system can additionally or alternatively include any or all of: an inlet, a fastener, an electronics subsystem, a user device, and/or any other suitable component.

Abstract: To provide a fingerprint authentication sensor module having a simple configuration, high resolution, and a high authentication rate. A fingerprint authentication device includes a cover glass on which a finger is to be placed and a fingerprint authentication sensor module placed under the cover glass. The fingerprint authentication sensor module includes an image forming unit, a first glass portion placed under the image forming unit, and an image sensor placed under the first glass portion. The image forming unit includes an array of a plurality of microlenses and light-shielding portions that surround each of the plurality of microlenses and that limit light entering the array of the plurality of microlenses.

Abstract: One or more temperature measuring devices are described that comprise; thermal imaging cameras capable of detection and provision of an exact location of at least one created dynamic image scanned by and triangulated with at least two thermal imaging cameras, and a gate that provides a constrained targeted pathway through which at least one person must travel so that dynamic thermal data of the person is captured as the person is moving through the gate and wherein thermal imaging cameras are geometrically arranged in positions such that the thermal imaging cameras field of view exist on or within the gate and wherein the person is scanned and provides targeted dynamic thermal data that is converted into one or more temperature readings that measure and transmit the temperature readings from one or more photodetectors that sense thermal radiation naturally emitted by people passing through.

Abstract: A cassette removably holds assay strips. The cassette includes a cover and a base. The base includes a first face and a second face, the second face opposed across a thickness of the base from the first face. The base has at least a first channel in the first face that extends along at least a portion of the base, the at least first channel having a width, a length and a depth, at least the width and the depth of the first channel sized to at least partially receive an assay strip therein. The cover has a first face and a second face, the second face opposed across a thickness of the cover from the first face. The cover is releasably securable to the base in at least two orientations to alternatively expose a first set of markings and a second set of markings. The first and the second set of markings are carried by at least one of the cover or the base.

Abstract: Mouth guards having electrodes, sensors, and/or accelerometers for determining one or more physiological conditions of a subject. Processing circuitry receives the outputs of the electrodes, sensors, and/or accelerometers. Optionally, at least a portion of the processing circuitry can be positioned within a helmet that is worn by a subject. The mouth guard can optionally be tethered to the helmet.

Abstract: A diagnosis support apparatus for diagnosing a lesion based on a captured image composed of a multi-valued image, the apparatus includes a dermoscope-equipped image capturing device which captures the captured image; a storage device which stores the captured image; a display which displays the captured image stored in the storage device; and a processor which, under control of a stored program, processes the captured image stored in the storage device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quantitative ex vivo method for the complementary diagnosis of the degree of dental demineralization through the use of Raman spectroscopy, which comprises quantifying the intensities and areas of a plurality of Stoke bands of the spectrum, and defining and calculating indices that result from dividing the areas of certain bands of interest. The diagnosis is determined by the proximity of the values of these indices to the values previously obtained for the normal pattern of dental mineralization established by analyzing healthy dental parts. This method provides a complementary biomedical technique for quantitative ex vivo analysis of the degree of dental demineralization on dental tissue remains extracted by medical prescription, and the information obtained will facilitate the prescription of suitable treatment to reduce or prevent said demineralization.

Abstract: In order to identify a prostate tumor with a Raman spectroscopy system, at least one Raman spectrum (40) of a sample is detected. The at least one Raman spectrum (40) is evaluated in order to identify a prostate tumor and/or distinguish an aggressive from a non-aggressive prostate tumor based on a characteristic pattern in the at least one Raman spectrum (40).

Abstract: Low-coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS) spectroscopy is an angular resolved backscattering technique that is sensitive to sub-diffusion light transport length scales in which information about the scattering phase function is preserved. Lens-based and lens-free fiber optic LEBS probes are described that are capable of measuring optical properties of a target tissue through depth-limited measurements of backscattering angles within the enhanced backscattered cone.

Abstract: A transcutaneous non-invasive device and method for measuring bilirubin levels is provided. The device and method utilize optical, electrical, and mechanical means in communication with processing means to calculate the serum bilirubin concentration. Blanching pressure is applied to the tissue, whose thickness is measured. The level of bilirubin is calculated from the thickness of the tissue and the detected and measured values of radiation transmitted through the living tissue.

Abstract: An optical system for fluorescence detection includes two parabolic mirrors, a first parabolic mirror and a second parabolic mirror, and fluorescent light beams that are incident from different directions are reflected by the first parabolic mirror as parallel light beams to the second parabolic mirror and are converged at one point by the second parabolic mirror.

Abstract: A system for detection of bilirubin content in neonate's skin includes at least one camera configured to capture at least one image of neonate's skin and a reference image, a display system, a communication interface and a control unit configured to control functioning of other elements of the system. The control unit is further configured to detect bilirubin level by comparing image of neonate's skin and reference image. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to transfer said image of neonate's skin to at least one of communication interface and display system. The reference image is a single image acquired from any one of the dermal zones or multiple images from more than one dermal zones of neonate under observation.

Abstract: An exemplary system comprises an energy transmitter, an energy receiver, and an analyzer. The energy transmitter may project energy at a first wavelength and a second wavelength into tissue of a user, the first wavelength and the second wavelength being associated with at least one nutrient of a set of nutrients in blood of the user. The energy receiver may generate a composite signal based on a fraction of the energy at the first wavelength and the second wavelength, the fraction of the energy being received through the tissue of the user. The analyzer may separate the composite signal into a first signal corresponding to the first wavelength and a second signal corresponding to the second wavelength, and detect, in the blood of the user, a concentration of the at least one nutrient of the set of nutrients based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A device for applying a sensor to a measurement site on a patient's skin has a wall arrangement defining an applicator volume above the patient's skin The wall arrangement has a patient's side and a sensor side. At least one gas-permeable membrane separates the applicator volume into a first volume directed to the measuring site at the patient's side of the wall arrangement and a second volume separated from the patient's skin and directed to the sensor side of the wall arrangement.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for determining the arterial and venous oxygenation of blood in vivo with improved precision. The optical properties of tissue are measured by determination of differential and total attenuations of light at a set of wavelengths. By choosing distinct wavelengths and using the measured attenuations, the influence of variables such as light scattering, absorption and other optical tissue properties is canceled out or minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a packing container including: a packing container body including a leading-out section which contains an optical probe having a first end section for incoming of a laser beam and a second end section for outgoing of the incoming laser beam, which leads out the first end section of the optical probe thus contained to the exterior and which is sealed, and a window section by which the laser beam going out from the second end section of the contained optical probe is led out to the exterior; and a light-transmitting member which closes the window section and permits the laser beam to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Optical sensor devices, image processing devices, methods and computer readable code computer-readable storage media for detecting biophysical parameters, chemical concentrations, chemical saturations and blood count. In some embodiments, the image processing device receives a live still or video electronic image. Exemplary physiological parameters include but are not limited to a pulse rate, blood pressure, glucose, stroke volume of internal or external tissue (e.g. skin). A biophysical or physiological property is not limited to a cardiovascular or liver or the kidneys or to a cardiovascular disorder or to a pulmonary disorder. Exemplary chemical concentrations or saturation includes but not limited to a pH level, a glucose level, a urea nitrogen level, a CO2 concentration or saturation, or a oxygen concentration or saturation. In some embodiments the parameters are detected from a food or a beverage such as an alcohol, a dairy product, wine, a baked good, a fruit or a vegetable.

Abstract: A tissue analyte measuring device (2) includes a light source (4) structured to emit unpolarized light toward the skin surface of a subject, and a detector assembly (8) configured to receive light reflected the skin surface of the subject and the transcutaneous tissues of the subject, the detector assembly including a polarizing filter (12) and a number of light detector subassemblies (14). The polarizing filter is structured to filter out s-polarized light and pass only p-polarized light to light detector subassemblies. The light source is structured and positioned to emit the unpolarized light in a manner wherein the unpolarized light will exit the measuring device at a predetermined angle with respect to a normal to a light emitting plane of the measuring device, wherein the predetermined angle is an angle (the Brewster's angle) at which only s-polarized light will be reflected by the skin surface when the unpolarized light is incident thereon.

Abstract: A transcutaneous non-invasive device and method for measuring bilirubin levels is provided. The device and method utilize optical, electrical, and mechanical means in communication with processing means to calculate the serum bilirubin concentration. Blanching pressure is applied to the tissue, whose thickness is measured. The level of bilirubin is calculated from the thickness of the tissue and the detected and measured values of radiation transmitted through the living tissue.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the extracorporeal irradiation of a patient's (P) bodily fluid containing bilirubin, comprising a first (10) and a second (12) line which can be connected to the patient (P), an impermeable irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) connected therewith and located between the first (10) and the second (12) lines, and at least one adjustable feed unit for bodily fluids (16) located in the first (10) and/or the second (12) line, wherein by means of at least one feed unit for bodily fluids (16) an adjustable flow of bodily fluid through the lines (10, 12) and the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) is achievable, in which the first line (10) is designed to continually circulate the bodily fluid drawn from the patient (P) and route it to the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14), and the second line (12) is designed to continually circulate the irradiated bodily fluid to the patient (P), and in which the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) contains an radiation source fo

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a print drum maintenance system of an image producing machine is disclosed herein in various embodiments. A test pattern is printed on the print drum, and imaged with an image-on-drum detector to determine a printed pattern response. The print drum is then cleaned again imaged with the image-on-drum detector to determine a cleaned print drum response. A cleaning efficiency is computed by comparing the imaged test pattern response to the imaged cleaned print drum response and determining if a failure condition exists by comparing the computed cleaning efficiency to predetermined limits. A corrective process is performed if the failure condition does exist, the corrective process including changing parameters of the drum maintenance system according to the computed cleaning efficiency. The changed parameters are compared to predetermined thresholds and, if not exceeding the thresholds, the cleaning is repeated after the parameters are changed.

Abstract: The device serves to optically determine physiological variables in perfused tissue. The device comprises a first and a second light source which each emit light radiation of a first or a second predetermined wavelength. The light sources are arranged in such a manner that the light radiation exiting them can penetrate into the perfused tissue. At least one photodetector is used, which is arranged so that it detects the light emitted by the light sources and passing through or backscattered by the perfused tissue. The device also comprises a control unit, which furnishes control signals to the light sources so that the light sources continuously emit light alternately, one or more dark phases can be inserted into this sequence, during which at least one light source does not emit any light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bilirubin reducing means which can minimize a risk such as the onset of an infection or the occurrence of blood coagulation and can reduce physical, temporal and economical burdens imposed on a patient suffering from liver dysfunction.

Abstract: Method and system for providing diabetes related data management is provided.

Abstract: A non-invasive monitoring system using radiated energy to identify cardiac and respiratory waveforms in patients is discussed. The monitoring system illuminates a subject in radiated energy and then detects the reflected radiated energy caused by respiratory and/or cardiac functions. The detected reflections are used to plot a two-dimensional waveform. The waveforms represent the rise and fall of a detected signal (the reflected energy) over time and are indicative of the small movements of the patient's chest and abdomen that are associated with cardiac and respiratory function. Different implementations of the monitoring system use laser or ultrasonic energy to capture breathing and cardiac waveforms for analysis. The waveforms may be used to diagnose the effectiveness of prescribed sleep medication, perform remote line of sight monitoring from a remote location, identify crying waveforms for babies and infants, identify cardiac waveforms in a non-invasive manner and identify seizure and tremor activity.

Abstract: A method is presented to calculate the relative contribution of different tissues, or tissue mix, to at least one data element in a medical object data set, the medical object data set containing data elements, the data elements assigning data values to respective positions in a multi-dimensional geometrical space containing more than one tissue, by means by which parameters are calculated for the at least one data element, the parameters being dependent on the data value of the at least one data element and data values of surrounding data elements in the neighborhood of the at least one data element, the parameters being further compared to combinations of said parameters for data elements occurring in the region of boundaries between tissues.

Abstract: The method and the device according to the invention are used for the non-invasive measurement of concentrations of blood components. At least one light source generates light using spectrophotometry and the light is guided to at least one photodetector through a tissue present at the location of application and supplied with pulsating blood. At least the measuring signal of the photodetector is guided to an evaluation unit. The light signals of a first, second, third to (n+1)st wavelength are generated at subsequent pairwise times T1 and T2, T3 and T4 and T5 and T6 to Tn and Tn+1. The evaluation unit takes into consideration the received signals of the photodetector for all wavelengths according to a defined arithmetic pattern and determines a concentration of the blood component. The inventive device comprises at least three light sources that generate light of different wavelength in relation to each other.

Abstract: A fluorescent monomer compound represented by the following formula (1) is provided: wherein Q, Q? and D3 may be the same or different, may be combined together into a fused ring, and are each a substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, acyl, oxyalkyl, carboxyl, carboxylate ester, carboxamido, cyano, nitro, amino and aminoalkyl groups; and D1, D2 and D4 each represent a substituent, wherein at least one of D1, D2 and D4 is a substituent group comprising a vinyl group at an end thereof, and wherein the substituent group comprising a vinyl group at an end thereof enables the fluorescent monomer compound to be soluble in water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device of quantitatively or qualitatively examining and judging the presence of virus infection, such as HIV, or the presence of prion infection by: irradiating a sample derived from an examinee or other animal with light having a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 2500 nm or a wavelength in part of the range; detecting reflected light, transmitted light, or transmitted and reflected light to obtain an absorption spectral data; and analyzing the absorbance at all measurement wavelengths or at specific wavelengths in the absorption spectral data by using an analytical model prepared beforehand. The analytical model can be prepared by carrying out spectral measurement, with a perturbation being provided, and carrying out a multivariate analysis that brings out perturbation effects.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, systems and/or devices for active biometric spectroscopy are disclosed.

Abstract: An assay transponder is disclosed. The assay transponder has an RF transceiver that allows the assay transponder to communicate wirelessly with another RF device. The transponder also has a sensor that interrogates an assay associated with the transponder. The assay exhibits a response to a sample environment in which the transponder is placed. The transponder communicates the results of the assay interrogation to the other RF device by modulating a signal indicative of the results onto an RF carrier signal and transmitting the signal via an antenna.

Abstract: A method of optically analyzing tissue in vivo in an individual to obtain a unique spectrum for the tissue of the individual includes the steps of optically measuring the tissue of the individual using broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) to measure a normalized tissue water spectrum of the individual or noninvasively optically line scanning a tissue site on the individual at a plurality of points, then determining spectral differences between the normalized tissue water spectrum and a pure water spectrum at each point of a line scan, generating a bound water index (BWI) corresponding to the spectral differences, and identifying a tissue state corresponding to the scanned tissue based on the BWI.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device with a pulse generator and a chemical sensor in communication with the pulse generator, the chemical sensor configured to detect an ion concentration in a bodily fluid. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for providing cardiac arrhythmia therapy to a patient including sensing a physiological concentration of an analyte, communicating data regarding the physiological concentration of the analyte to an implanted pulse generator, and delivering therapy to the patient based in part on the physiological concentration of the ion. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for monitoring diuretic therapy. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for controlling delivery of an active agent into a human body. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device with a pulse generator and a chemical sensor in communication with the pulse generator, the chemical sensor configured to detect an ion concentration in a bodily fluid. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for providing cardiac arrhythmia therapy to a patient including sensing a physiological concentration of an analyte, communicating data regarding the physiological concentration of the analyte to an implanted pulse generator, and delivering therapy to the patient based in part on the physiological concentration of the ion. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for monitoring diuretic therapy. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for controlling delivery of an active agent into a human body. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention describes a treatment for skin containing selected targets that provides feedback in response to a measurement enabled by the ablation of holes. The inventive apparatus includes an electromagnetic source configured to emit ablative electromagnetic energy, a delivery system, a sensing element, and a controller. The delivery system can be configured to receive ablative energy from the electromagnetic source and deliver it to multiple discrete locations at the selected region to form a pattern of discrete holes in epidermal and dermal tissue of the skin. The lipid content a portion of the tissue can be evaluated using a sensing element. At least one pulse of electromagnetic energy is delivered to the skin under control of a controller in response to the result of a measurement by the sensing element. The apparatus may include a positional sensor to provide additional dosage control, particularly when the inventive method is used with a continuously movable handpiece.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for non-invasive measurement of a tissue and in particular of the skin bilirubin level. The inventive device is characterized in that it comprises: a reading head (1) capable of sending several flashes of various specific wavelengths towards the tissue (2) to be examined and of receiving and measuring in return the reflected light; a calculator, such as a microprocessor, capable of calculating for each wavelength the amount of reflected light and bring it to a value calculated proportionally to a reference value identical for a predetermined wavelength; and a comparator for comparing the calculated value to a table of reference values.

Abstract: A system and method embodying the invention can be used to detect a characteristic or condition of a patient. A method embodying the invention may include the steps of illuminating a portion of a skin of the patient with light, detecting a frequency spectrum of light scattered from the skin, determining, from first and second portions of the spectrum, a first parameter indicative of a blood content of the skin and a second parameter indicative of a melanin content of the skin, determining, from a third portion of the spectrum, a third parameter indicative of an uncorrected bilirubin concentration, and calculating a corrected bilirubin concentration based on the first, second and third parameters.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an arrangement for determining the concentration of glucose in a body fluid. In the microdialysis technology used for this purpose, perfusate containing glucose is transported in intermittent delivery pulses through a microdialysis probe (10) inserted into the body fluid and dialysate obtained in this process is passed to a measuring cell (16) to record the glucose content. In order to achieve an exact determination of glucose even with a reduced dialysis period, it is proposed that the starting content of glucose in the perfusate is adapted to the glucose content of the body fluid by means of a control device (18, 20) in accordance with a command variable derived from the measurement signals of the measuring cell (16). When the control deviation is negligible the momentary starting content of glucose in the perfusate can be determined as a measure for the glucose content of the body fluid.

Abstract: Luminous fluxes from a xenon tube are introduced from one end of an optical fiber to an other end thereof and emerge therefrom. These luminous fluxes are incident of a skin of a person to be measured, and those diffused in the skin are incident on one end of an optical fiber through a first incident port and on one end of an optical fiber through a second incident port. The luminous fluxes from the one end are split by a dichroic mirror. The luminous fluxes reflected by the dichroic mirror are received by a photoelectric conversion element via a blue filter, and those having transmitted through the dichroic mirror are received by a photoelectric conversion element via a green filter. A concentration of bilirubin pigmented in fat of subcutaneous tissues can be accurately measured without being influenced by a difference in the thicknesses of epidermis and derma.

Abstract: An automated dermatological examination system captures an image including a lesion. The image is divided into lesion and non-lesion areas, and the lesion area is analysed to quantify features for use in diagnosis of the lesion. Features of lesion colour are extracted (step 502) and the shape of the lesion is analysed (step 504). Features of lesion texture and symmetry are derived (step 506) as are measures of categorical symmetry within the lesion (step 508).

Abstract: A non-invasive method of determining the concentration of an analyte comprises topographically applying a hyperosmotic solution to an area of the skin. The hyperosmotic solution is adapted to at least partially absorb into the area of the skin such that the skin becomes generally transparent. An optical readhead is placed over the generally transparent area of the skin. The amount of light of the analyte is measured using at least one wavelength via the optical readhead. The concentration of the analyte is calculated from the amount of light. The analyte may be glucose and the hyperosmotic solution may be glycerol.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for determining whether spectral data obtained from a region of a tissue sample are affected by an artifact. Artifacts include, for example, lighting artifacts such as glare and shadow and obstruction artifacts, such as blood, a speculum, a smoke tube, or other obstruction. Additionally, the invention provides an apparatus and methods for obtaining redundant spectral data of a given region of a sample. A redundant set of spectral data is useful where one or more artifacts affect some but not all sets of the spectral data, such that the redundant set of data is unaffected by the artifact and is representative of the tissue. An embodiment of the invention comprises using representative spectral data in diagnosing a condition of a region of tissue.