Abstract: Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

Abstract: Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

Abstract: Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated endoscopic device and diagnostic method, which performs at least one other disease detection method simultaneously during a white light endoscopic procedure. In some embodiments fluorescence imaging or spectroscopy is performed during the white light examination. In other embodiments, multi-modal imaging and/or spectroscopy may be performed and combined in a variety of ways. Because diagnostic modes other than white light are performed transparently in the background, the procedure is not significantly more complex for the clinician than the familiar white light examination. In some embodiments the present invention automatically detects suspicious tissue and informs the clinician of its presence. In other embodiments the present invention helps determine if a biopsy is required, and may further assist the clinician, for example, by providing an outline or otherwise guide the clinician in identifying and/or taking a biopsy of a suspicious site.

Abstract: The present invention is a device to measure wind velocity and/or direction. These measurements may be useful for various outdoor activities including hunting, golfing, sailing, fishing, photography, kite-flying, parachuting, fireworks displays or other activities that are influenced by wind conditions. In broader context, sensitive detection of pressure (force) is important in everything from aeronautics to the design of biological sensors. In general, the majority of existing devices to measure wind depend on wind's interaction with a relatively large mass, thus limiting sensitivity. Although various types of sensors including optical strain gauges with the desired sensitivity exist, they are too large, complex or expensive to be broadly exploited. The present invention provides a relatively simple, inexpensive and sensitive pressure sensor (optical strain gauge) for incorporation in a wind-measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an optical apparatus, methods and uses for real-time (video-rate) multimodal imaging, for example, contemporaneous measurement of white light reflectance, native tissue autofluorescence and near infrared images with an endoscope. These principles may be applied to various optical apparati such as microscopes, endoscopes, telescopes, cameras etc. to view or analyze the interaction of light with objects such as planets, plants, rocks, animals, cells, tissue, proteins, DNA, semiconductors, etc. Multi-band spectral images may provide morphological data such as surface structure of lung tissue whereas chemical make-up, sub-structure and other object characteristics may be deduced from spectral signals related to reflectance or light radiated (emitted) from the object such as luminescence or fluorescence, indicating endogenous chemicals or exogenous substances such as dyes employed to enhance visualization, drugs, therapeutics or other agents.

Abstract: A method for detecting malignancy-associated changes. A sample of cells is obtained and stained to identify the nuclear DNA material. The sample is imaged with a digital microscope. Objects of interest are identified in the sample of cells based on the intensity of the pixels that comprise the object versus the average intensity of all pixels in the slide image. An exact edge is located for each object and variations in the illumination intensity of the microscope are compensated for. A computer system calculates feature values for each object and, based on the value of the features, a determination is made whether the cell exhibits malignancy-associated changes or not.

Abstract: A deterrent device comprises a portable container having a cavity disposed therein and an actuator mechanism disposed within the cavity. An inflatable deterrent extends outwardly from the actuator mechanism, the inflatable deterrent is substantially contained within the cavity in a non-operative configuration. The actuator mechanism is activated by an operator to attain an operative configuration in which the actuator mechanism inflates the inflatable deterrent outwardly from the container, an assailant being deterred by the inflated inflatable deterrent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the dosimetry of a photodynamic therapy that involves exposing a site to be treated to treatment light in order to generate toxic products at the site and other photoproducts. Often a photosensitizer drug is administered to the patient prior to treatment or the therapy relies on the presence of endogenous photosensitizers. The method comprises the steps of selecting a photoproduct having an identifying characteristic, which can be a fluorescence peak, and monitoring the photoproduct using the identifying characteristic (e.g. fluorescence) to determine the level of the photoproduct being generated. The photodynamic therapy is then terminated when the photoproduct being monitored reaches a predetermined level. The method allows for safe treatment of a site using photodynamic therapy and ensures that overexposure to treatment light leading to damage of normal tissue or underexposure leading to ineffective treatment of the lesion does not occur.

Abstract: Apparatus for diagnosis of a skin disease site using spectral analysis includes a light source for generating light to illuminate the disease site and a probe unit optically connected to the light source for exposing the disease site to light to generate fluorescence and reflectance light. The probe unit also collects the generated fluorescence and reflectance light and transmits this light to a spectrometer to be analyzed. The spectrometer generates and displays spectral measurements of the fluorescence light and the reflectance light which in together assist the user in diagnosing the disease site. The apparatus makes use of a conventional personal computer using a plug-in spectrometer card to provide a compact and low costs system. The system performs combined fluorescence and reflectance spectral analysis in a quick and efficient manner to provide a powerful tool for dermatologic diagnosis.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting diagnostic cells and cells having malignancy-associated changes are disclosed. The system includes an automated classifier having a microscope, camera, image digitizer, a computer system for controlling and interfacing these components, a primary classifier for initial cell classification, and a secondary classifier for subsequent cell classification. The method utilizes the automated classifier to automatically detect diagnostic cells and cells having malignancy-associated changes. The system and method are particularly useful for detecting these cells in cell samples obtained from bronchial specimens such as lung sputum.

Abstract: Apparatus for the diagnosis of a skin disease site by visual fluorescence inspection comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the disease site, a light guide for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light and viewing goggles for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user. The fluorescence image is used to aid the medical assessment of skin conditions and the diagnosis of cutaneous diseases by supplementing the visual assessment of skin lesions made by the naked eye. The apparatus can be used in several modes of operation that permit the viewing of full color fluorescence images and enhanced two color images. The apparatus can also use image intensifying equipment to amplify fluorescence light so that even very weak fluorescing objects can be seen. A method for acquiring and viewing the fluorescence images is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for diagnosis of a skin disease site using spectral analysis includes a light source for generating light to illuminate the disease site and a probe unit optically connected to the light source for exposing the disease site to light to generate fluorescence and reflectance light. The probe unit also collects the generated fluorescence and reflectance light and transmits this light to a spectrometer to be analysed. The spectrometer generates and displays spectral measurements of the fluorescence light and the reflectance light which in together assist the user in diagnosing the disease site. The apparatus makes use of a conventional personal computer using a plug-in spectrometer card to provide a compact and low cost system. The system performs combined fluorescence and reflectance spectral analysis in a quick and efficient manner to provide a powerful tool for dermatologic diagnosis.

Abstract: A composition and method for staining cellular DNA are disclosed. The composition of the present invention is an aqueous alcoholic solution that includes a cationic stain, a metabisulfite, and an alcohol preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cationic stain is thionin.

Abstract: A method for detecting malignancy-associated changes. A sample of cells is obtained and stained to identify the nuclear DNA material. The sample is imaged with a digital microscope. Objects of interest are identified in the sample of cells based on the intensity of the pixels that comprise the object versus the average intensity of all pixels in the slide image. An exact edge is located for each object and variations in the illumination intensity of the microscope are compensated for. A computer system calculates feature values for each object and, based on the value of the features, a determination is made whether the cell exhibits malignancy-associated changes or not.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light image provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fiber-optic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light image provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fibreoptic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue.

Abstract: A solid state microscope for viewing and scanning microscopic objects. The solid state microscope has a light source with a condensor and diffusion filter. A moveable stage is provided to allow X, Y, Z plane displacements in order to scan objects under the microscope. There is an objective to magnify the image of the object and project this image onto a two dimensional solid state image sensor. The solid state image sensor sends signals to an analog-to-digital converter where the signals are digitized and sent to a frame memory. A monitor is used to display the image of the object as stored in frame memory. The present invention can be interfaced with a computer to allow for automatic focusing and scanning of an image. The computer also houses storage means to store images. Methods of scanning an object are also described. A prism element can be used to obtain spectral scans of an object. In another scanning method, a first edge row of pixels is used to detect an object of interest in the scanned image.