Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second light sources for respectively generating broadband and monochromatic lights, a beamsplitter optically coupled to the first light source for splitting the broadband light into a reference light and a sample light, a reference arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter for receiving the reference light and returning the received reference light into the beamsplitter, a sample arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter and the second light source for combining the sample and monochromatic lights, delivering the combined light to the target of interest, collecting a backscattering light and a Raman scattering light generated from interaction of the combined light with the target of interest, returning the backscattering light into the beamsplitter so as to generate an interference signal between the returned backscattering light and the returned reference light in the beamsplitter, and directing the Raman scattering light in an output optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of generating at least one beam of radiation; introducing at least one of one or more chromophores and one or more optical agents to a target neural tissue; and delivering the at least one beam of radiation to the target neural tissue, wherein the at least one beam of radiation is delivered with a radiant exposure that causes a thermal gradient in the target neural tissue, thereby stimulating the target neural tissue.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of applying infrared neural stimulation (INS) to the central nervous system (CNS) of a target. The methods includes applying a pulsed infrared laser at a stimulation site in the CNS; and evoking responses from a region of interest of the CNS that is at or adjacent to the stimulation site by the pulsed infrared laser. In the method, the pulsed infrared laser penetrates a predetermined penetration depth of the stimulation site. Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus for applying INS to the CNS of a target. The apparatus includes a generator generating a pulsed infrared laser, which penetrates a predetermined penetration depth of a stimulation site to evoke a response from the CNS, and an optical medium adapted for delivering the pulsed infrared laser at the stimulation site of the CNS.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes a first light source for generating a broadband light, and a second light source for generating a monochromatic light, a beamsplitter optically coupled to the first light source for receiving the broadband light and splitting the received broadband light into a reference light and a sample light, a reference arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter for receiving the reference light and returning the received reference light into the beamsplitter, and a sample arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter and the second light source for combining the sample light and the monochromatic light, delivering the combined sample and monochromatic light to the target of interest, collecting a backscattering light and a Raman scattering light that are generated from interaction of the sample light and the monochromatic light with the target of interest, respectively, returning the backscattering light into the beamsplitter so as to generate an interference sign

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for intra-operatively providing anatomical guidance in endocrine surgery. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of illuminating tissues in the neck area of a living subject with a beam of light having a predetermined wavelength, obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated tissues, finding Raman signatures corresponding to thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the obtained Raman data, and identifying the thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the corresponding Raman signatures.

Abstract: A method for detecting death process of a cell or tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of illuminating the cell or tissue of the living subject with a coherent light, collecting fluorescent light returned from the illuminated cell or tissue of the living subject, identifying a NAD(P)H peak of a spectrum of the collected fluorescent light with a wavelength, ?peak, and obtaining the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum of the collected fluorescent light substantially corresponding to the wavelength ?peak. These steps are repeated at sequential stages until the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum at a current stage is less than the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum at an earlier stage immediately prior to the current stage so as to detect death process of the cell of the living subject at the current stage using the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.

Abstract: A method for differentiating malignant in vivo liver tissues from normal in vivo liver tissues of a living subject includes the steps of: (a) illuminating a first area and a second area of in vivo liver tissues of the living subject with a first excitation light, (b) measuring an intensity of fluorescent light emitted from each of the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues in response to the first excitation light as a function of wavelength so as to obtain a first and a second fluorescent spectra, respectively, (c) illuminating the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues with a second excitation light, (d) measuring an intensity of diffuse light reflected by each of the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues in response to the second excitation light as a function of wavelength so as to obtain a first and a second diffused reflectance spectra, respectively, and (e) identifying one of the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues as malignant liv

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a system for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. The system comprises an energy source capable of generating optical energy, a connector having a first end and a second end capable of transmitting optical energy, and a probe operably coupled to the second end of the connector and having an end portion for delivering optical energy to a target neural tissue. In one embodiment, the energy source comprises a tunable laser.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a probe using integrated confocal reflectance imaging, confocal Raman spectroscopy, and gross spatial imaging for non-invasively evaluating a target of interest of a living subject.

Abstract: A method for detecting death process of a cell or tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of illuminating the cell or tissue of the living subject with a coherent light, collecting fluorescent light returned from the illuminated cell or tissue of the living subject, identifying a NAD(P)H peak of a spectrum of the collected fluorescent light with a wavelength, ?peak, and obtaining the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum of the collected fluorescent light substantially corresponding to the wavelength ?peak. These steps are repeated at sequential stages until the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum at a current stage is less than the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum at an earlier stage immediately prior to the current stage so as to detect death process of the cell of the living subject at the current stage using the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a target of interest of a living subject.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of generating at least one beam of radiation; introducing at least one of one or more chromophores and one or more optical agents to a target neural tissue; and delivering the at least one beam of radiation to the target neural tissue, wherein the at least one beam of radiation is delivered with a radiant exposure that causes a thermal gradient in the target neural tissue, thereby stimulating the target neural tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a target of interest of a living subject.

Abstract: Fluorescence spectral data acquired from tissues in vivo or in vitro is processed in accordance with a multivariate statistical method to achieve the ability to probabilistically classify tissue in a diagnostically useful manner, such as by histopathological classification. The apparatus includes a controllable illumination device for emitting electromagnetic radiation selected to cause tissue to produce a fluorescence intensity spectrum. Also included are an optical system for applying the plurality of radiation wavelengths to a tissue sample, and a fluorescence intensity spectrum detecting device for detecting an intensity of fluorescence spectra emitted by the sample as a result of illumination by the controllable illumination device. The system also include a data processor, connected to the detecting device, for analyzing detected fluorescence spectra to calculate a probability that the sample belongs in a particular classification.

Abstract: Native tumorous and non-tumorous tissues and thermally denatured tissues can all be identified optically in patient livers by means of one or more probes inserted into the liver. Fluorescence and/or diffuse reflectance values can be used for initially locating a tumorous mass, effectively centering a thermal ablation device within a tumor, monitoring ablation of the tumor about the tumor to assure effective denaturation of the tumor, and locating the mass of denatured tissue after the thermal denaturation treatment and after the treated tissue has returned to the temperature of the untreated surrounding tissue. An existing thermal ablation probe can be modified by the provision of optical fiber within a hollow electrode to form an optical probe performing any of the above functions with an illuminating light source, a light detector and a processor.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a system for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. The system comprises an energy source capable of generating optical energy, a connector having a first end and a second end capable of transmitting optical energy, and a probe operably coupled to the second end of the connector and having an end portion for delivering optical energy to a target neural tissue. In one embodiment, the energy source comprises a tunable laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of directly stimulating neural tissue with optical energy. By stimulating neural tissue at wavelengths, laser pulses, and spot sizes disclosed herein, nerve stimulation may be used to uniquely stimulate neural tissue in way not afforded by other means of stimulation. It can allow basic scientists to study the properties of individual neurons or populations of neurons without piercing tissue with fragile microelectrodes. Furthermore, responses of neural tissue can be studied in a pure fashion without contamination by electrical artifact commonly seen with electrical stimulation. With respect to clinical uses, optical stimulation can be used to map function in subsections of peripheral nerves as an aid to operative repair. Finally, stimulation with optical energy does not require physical contact with the nerve which may be an advantage clinically when physical manipulation of neural tissue is not desired.

Abstract: A method for detecting death process of a cell or tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of illuminating the cell or tissue of the living subject with a coherent light, collecting fluorescent light returned from the illuminated cell or tissue of the living subject, identifying a NAD(P)H peak of a spectrum of the collected fluorescent light with a wavelength, ?peak, and obtaining the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum of the collected fluorescent light substantially corresponding to the wavelength ?peak. These steps are repeated at sequential stages until the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum at a current stage is less than the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum at an earlier stage immediately prior to the current stage so as to detect death process of the cell of the living subject at the current stage using the intensity of the NAD(P)H peak of the spectrum.