Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for fluorescence subtraction in Raman spectroscopy, where a narrow band light source and a broad band light source are utilized to stimulate Raman scattering and fluorescence emission from the same subject to produce two Raman/fluorescence spectra. The two light sources, with matched output power, produce similar level of fluorescence emission, yet the Raman scattering signal produced by the broad band light source has much lower spectral intensity than that produced by the narrow band light source. By subtracting the two Raman/fluorescence spectra, the weak Raman signal can be extracted from a strong fluorescence background.

Abstract: A fiber spectroscopic probe that can be mounted directly above the objective lens of a standard microscope to add a spectroscopic function to the microscope. The constructed microscope with fiber spectroscopic probe is suitable for micro-sampling, Raman analysis, as well as fluorescence analysis and can be easily reconfigured for different excitation/detection wavelengths. The fiber spectroscopic probe only consists of a minimum number of optical components and is compact enough to induce minimum alteration to the optical path of the microscope.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for fluorescence subtraction in Raman spectroscopy, where a narrow band light source and a broad band light source are utilized to stimulate Raman scattering and fluorescence emission from the same subject to produce two Raman/fluorescence spectra. The two light sources, with matched output power, produce similar level of fluorescence emission, yet the Raman scattering signal produced by the broad band light source has much lower spectral intensity than that produced by the narrow band light source. By subtracting the two Raman/fluorescence spectra, the weak Raman signal can be extracted from a strong fluorescence background.

Abstract: A phototherapy and massage apparatus is disclosed for treating medical conditions in a patient's body cavity. The phototherapy and massage apparatus comprises a light source embedded in a hollow massage wand to produce therapeutic light. The massage wand can be inserted into the patient's body cavity to provide mechanical massage to the tissue inside. A portion of the massage wand is substantially transparent to the therapeutic light such that the therapeutic light can transmit through the massage wand to provide phototherapy to the same subject tissue.

Abstract: A precisely guided phototherapy apparatus for treating soft tissue injury, chronic pain, and promoting wound healing for both human and animal targets. The phototherapy apparatus comprises sensor means for monitoring the intensity, position, and movement of the therapeutic light beam over the treatment area. The delivered light energy dosage is determined accordingly based on these parameters. The phototherapy apparatus further comprises a projector device for projecting markers on top of the treatment area. The markers represent the values of the delivered light energy dosage for assisting the practitioner or clinician in precisely controlling the phototherapy procedure.

Abstract: An improved method for performing phototherapy. The method comprises a step of applying a supplement to the patient before/after light treatment, which produces nitric oxide in the subject biological tissue to be treated. The nitric oxide serves as signaling molecules to cause vasodilatation and increase blood flow and micro-circulation in the biological tissue so as to enhance the effect and reduce the required treatment time of phototherapy.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying phototherapy treatment after the use of a bio-scaffold or a bio-implant. Bio-scaffolds are used to regenerate tissue and help the body use its own cell in tissue repair. Phototherapy treatment promotes and speeds up this process by enhancing cell proliferation and differentiation, collagen production/synthesis, fibroblast activity, etc.

Abstract: A phototherapy apparatus with interactive user interface for treating biological tissue of an animal or human target. The user interface comprises intuitive graphic menus which allow the clinicians or practitioners to define the properties of the biological tissue through easily observable physical characteristics such as weight, skin color, and hair color of the patient. The central control unit of the phototherapy apparatus then automatically optimizes the parameters of the light source according to the properties of the biological tissue and generates an appropriate treatment protocol to produce the optimum phototherapy result.

Abstract: A fiber spectroscopic probe that can be mounted directly above the objective lens of a standard microscope to add a spectroscopic function to the microscope. The fiber spectroscopic probe only consists of a minimum number of optical components and is compact enough to induce minimum alteration to the optical path of the microscope.

Abstract: A fiber spectroscopic probe that can be mounted directly above the objective lens of a standard microscope to add a spectroscopic function to the microscope. The constructed microscope with fiber spectroscopic probe is suitable for micro-sampling, Raman analysis, as well as fluorescence analysis and can be easily reconfigured for different excitation/detection wavelengths. The fiber spectroscopic probe only consists of a minimum number of optical components and is compact enough to induce minimum alteration to the optical path of the microscope.

Abstract: A medical laser apparatus with a beam homogenizer for producing a uniform output beam profile. The beam homogenizer comprises a light pipe which expands the laser beam and mixes the laser light through total internal reflection as well as an optical diffuser to provide further control of the intensity distribution of the laser beam.

Abstract: A laser disinfection apparatus with a spectroscopic sensor for performing real-time monitoring of the apparatus's effectiveness. The spectroscopic sensor measures optical spectra of the biological tissue and obtains the concentration of the bacterial/fungal cells by tracking the intensity variation of a fingerprint region of the optical spectra. The acquired bacterial concentration information is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the laser treatment as well as to provide feed-back control of the laser parameters to obtain the optimum disinfection result.

Abstract: A laser protection device that can stay tightly on an animal by going over its head and eyes using a flexible material such as nylon. The device has polymer or glass windows that are designed to block or attenuate the treatment light in order to protect the eyes of the animal from laser damage. As an integral feature, the windows are partially transparent in the visible spectrum to allow the animal to see its surroundings.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopic apparatus utilizing a self-aligned non-dispersive external cavity laser as the excitation light source. The output spectrum of the laser is narrowed and stabilized by a volume Bragg grating to provide high spectral brightness. A high throughput optical system is used for Raman scattering signal excitation and extraction, which takes full advantage of the high spectral brightness of the laser source.

Abstract: A photo therapy and massage apparatus for relieving pain in a patient's body cavity. The photo therapy and massage apparatus comprises a light source to produce therapeutic light and a hollow massage wand capable to be inserted into the patient's body cavity to provide mechanical massage to the tissue inside the body cavity. An optical light guide with its proximal end coupled to the light source and its distal end embedded in the hollow massage wand is used to deliver the therapeutic light from the light source to the massage wand. The distal end of the optical light guide is configured to emit the therapeutic light from a side surface. The therapeutic light then transmits through the hollow massage wand to treat the tissue inside the body cavity.

Abstract: A photo therapy apparatus utilizing optical fibers embedded in a cast bandage. The optical fibers are used to deliver therapeutic light to the treatment area after the cast bandage is applied. The therapeutic light helps to decrease inflammation, pain, and irritation as well as to promote healing of the broken bones or sprained/strained muscles of the patient.

Abstract: An infrared signaling apparatus is disclosed, which utilizes high intensity solid state lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide signaling for navigational as well as search/rescue applications employing night vision equipments.

Abstract: A phototherapy method for assisting the transvenous lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and dilation of occluded veins for any implantable lead placement. The phototherapy treatment helps increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and enhance angiogenesis to facilitate optimal positioning of the leads.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for ablation, incision, and/or coagulation of biological tissue, the surgical apparatus comprising: at least one high intensity light emitting diode (LED) light source for producing a light beam with high power density; and an optical system for delivering said light beam to be absorbed by the biological tissue. The power density of the light beam is above a predetermined threshold level to increase a temperature of the biological tissue and cause a transformation for at least one constituent of the biological tissue for ablation, incision, and/or coagulation of the biological tissue.

Abstract: A visual navigational aid for guiding the approach path of incoming aircrafts, ships or other vehicles. The visual navigational aid comprises high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED arrays and optical beam shaping apparatus that produce multiple light beams with different colors or flash patterns to guide the incoming aircrafts, ships or other vehicles to a pre-determined approach path.