Abstract: In an organ of interest in a patient is emplaced a set of sensors designed to monitor parameters of the organ of interest, including at least nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide level and at least one parameter from among the group consisting of tissue blood flow, blood hemoglobin, and tissue reflectance. Substantially continuously, a vitality index of the organ of interest is computed based at least in part on the parameters monitored by the sensors at the organ of interest. Another point of the patient is monitored continuously for a systemic reference, NADH level and at least two parameters from among the group consisting of blood flow (BFS), blood hemoglobin, and tissue reflectance. Substantially continuously, a systemic vitality index is computed from the measured systemic parameters. The vitality index of the organ of interest and systemic vitality index are monitored for a divergence in the temporal trend.

Abstract: In an organ of interest in a patient is emplaced a set of sensors designed to monitor parameters of the organ of interest, including at least nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide level and at least one parameter from among the group consisting of tissue blood flow, blood hemoglobin, and tissue reflectance. Substantially continuously, a vitality index of the organ of interest is computed based at least in part on the parameters monitored by the sensors at the organ of interest. Another point of the patient is monitored continuously for a systemic reference, NADH level and at least two parameters from among the group consisting of blood flow (BFS), blood hemoglobin, and tissue reflectance. Substantially continuously, a systemic vitality index is computed from the measured systemic parameters. The vitality index of the organ of interest and systemic vitality index are monitored for a divergence in the temporal trend.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for diagnosing the degree of body metabolic emergency state. A non-vital organ with respect to the metabolic emergency state is first chosen. One or more tissue viability parameters including at least one of NADH and Flavoprotein (Fp) concentration are monitored in the non-vital organ, whereupon the degree of body metabolic emergency state may be determined based on the monitored tissue viability parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the oxygenation state of at least one tissue element, comprising: a) illumination means for illuminating said tissue element with an illuminating radiation at a predetermined wavelength via at least one illumination location with respect to said tissue element, said illuminating radiation being at a wavelength within the NADH excitation spectrum or the Fp excitation spectrum; b) radiation receiving means and detection means for measuring the intensity of the corresponding NADH fluorescence or Fp fluorescence emitted by the tissue element at at least two predetermined wavelengths within the range of wavelengths comprised within the corresponding fluorescence emission spectrum.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a plurality of tissue viability parameters of a tissue layer element, in which two different illumination sources are used via a common illumination element in contact with the tissue. One illumination source is used for monitoring blood flow rate and optionally flavoprotein concentration, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. The other illuminating radiation is used for monitoring any one of and preferably all of NADH, blood volume and blood oxygenation state of the tissue element, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. In one embodiment, the wavelengths of the two illumination sources are similar, and common collection fibers for the two illuminating radiations are used. In another embodiment, the respective collection fibers are distanced from the illumination point at different distances correlated to the ratio of the first and second illuminating wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical probe, for acquiring measurements of material in a surface, the probe comprising: a probe body; at least one illuminating optical fiber that transmits light to a distal end thereof to illuminate a region of the surface and interact with the material; and at least one receiving optical fiber, positioned to receive light that has been transmitted by the illuminating fiber to the region and has interacted with the material, which received light is used for acquiring the measurements, the receiving fiber thereby being defined as associated with the illuminating fiber; wherein at least one of the fibers has a portion inside the probe body with a bend.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for diagnosing the degree of body metabolic emergency state. A non-vital organ with respect to the metabolic emergency state is first chosen. One or more tissue viability parameters including at least one of NADH and Flavoprotein (Fp) concentration are monitored in the non-vital organ, whereupon the degree of body metabolic emergency state may be determined based on the monitored tissue viability parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a plurality of tissue viability parameters of a substantially identical tissue element, in which a single illumination laser source provides illumination radiation at a wavelength such as to enable monitoring of blood flow rate and NADH or flavoprotein concentration, together with blood volume and also blood oxygenation state. In preferred embodiments, an external cavity laser diode system is used to ensure that the laser operates in single mode or at else in two or three non-competing modes, each mode comprising a relatively narrow bandwidth. A laser stabilisation control system is provided to ensure long term operation of the laser source at the desired conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a plurality of tissue viability parameters of a tissue layer element, in which two different illumination sources are used via a common illumination element in contact with the tissue. One illumination source is used for monitoring blood flow rate and optionally flavoprotein concentration, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. The other illuminating radiation is used for monitoring any one of and preferably all of NADH, blood volume and blood oxygenation state of the tissue element, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. In one embodiment, the wavelengths of the two illumination sources are similar, and common collection fibers for the two illuminating radiations are used. In another embodiment, the respective collection fibers are distanced from the illumination point at different distances correlated to the ratio of the first and second illuminating wavelengths.

Abstract: A single signal-single probe multiparameter analyzer apparatus for monitoring various parameters of the identical volume element of body tissue, which includes an input signal generator, a single signal guide which transmits input signal in, and transmits output signal out, constituting a single signal-single probe, a signal splitter which splits output signal into two or more parts, filters which separate various components of output signal, detectors which measure the different components of the output signal, a computer and an analog to digital convertor; and algorithms to evaluate the data.

Abstract: A single signal-single probe multiparameter analyzer apparatus for monitoring various parameters of the identical volume element of body tissue, which includes an input signal generator, a single signal guide which transmits input signal in, and transmits output signal out, constituting a single signal-single probe, a signal splitter which splits output signal into two or more parts, filters which separate various components of output signal, detectors which measure the different components of the output signal, a computer and an analog to digital convertor; and algorithms to evaluate the data.