Abstract: A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Abstract: A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat at least one of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Abstract: A processing application receives peak information associated with multiple known references samples. The processing application partitions a spectrum into multiple different sized range bins such that a substantially equal number of the peaks associated with the known reference samples reside into each of the multiple different sized range bins. To identify a set of candidate reference samples in a library of reference samples that potentially are a good match an unknown sample under test, the processing application compares peaks associated with the unknown sample to the multiple different sized range bins. The greater the number of range bin matches based on peaks in the unknown sample and peaks in a corresponding reference sample, the greater the likelihood that the unknown sample matches the corresponding reference sample.

Abstract: A method of detecting an explosive material, and an analyzer and computer program products that may perform such methods. A method may include illuminating at least a portion of the material with light, and monitoring the temperature of the illuminated portion. T power or location of the illuminating light may be altered in response to the monitored temperature. Raman spectral data are produced in response to Raman radiation emitted from the portion in response to the light. The composition of the material may be analyzed based on the Raman spectral data or generating an indication to an operator that the material cannot be safely analyzed.

Abstract: Featured is a method for reducing frequency of taking background spectra in FTIR or FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Such a method includes determining if there is a pre-existing reference spectrum available and if such a reference spectrum is available, acquiring a present reference scan before acquiring a sample scan. The method also includes comparing the present reference scan with the pre-existing reference spectrum to determine if there is one or more non-conformities therebetween and if there is/are one or more nonconformities, determining if the one or more non-conformities are resolvable or not. If the one or more non-conformities are resolvable; resolve each non-conformity in a determined manner and thereafter acquiring a scan of the sample, and if the non-conformities are not resolvable, then acquiring a new reference sample and thereafter acquiring a scan of the sample.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for tagging reference materials of interest in spectroscopic searching applications is presented. A reference list of materials to be considered as part of a final analysis of a spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is generated. A watchlist of at least one material to be retained for a final analysis of the spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is provided. A final analysis of the sample material is preformed using the watchlist of at least one material and the reference list of materials. A determination is then made regarding whether a spectrum of the sample material matches at least one spectrum of materials on the watchlist and on the reference list.

Abstract: A method of detecting an explosive material, and an analyzer and computer program products that may perform such methods. A method may include illuminating at least a portion of the material with light, and monitoring the temperature of the illuminated portion. T power or location of the illuminating light may be altered in response to the monitored temperature. Raman spectral data are produced in response to Raman radiation emitted from the portion in response to the light. The composition of the material may be analyzed based on the Raman spectral data or generating an indication to an operator that the material cannot be safely analyzed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for tagging reference materials of interest in spectroscopic searching applications is presented. A reference list of materials to be considered as part of a final analysis of a spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is generated. A watchlist of at least one material to be retained for a final analysis of the spectroscopic analysis of a sample material is provided. A final analysis of the sample material is preformed using the watchlist of at least one material and the reference list of materials. A determination is then made regarding whether a spectrum of the sample material matches at least one spectrum of materials on the watchlist and on the reference list.

Abstract: A processing application receives peak information associated with multiple known references samples. The processing application partitions a spectrum into multiple different sized range bins such that a substantially equal number of the peaks associated with the known reference samples reside into each of the multiple different sized range bins. To identify a set of candidate reference samples in a library of reference samples that potentially are a good match an unknown sample under test, the processing application compares peaks associated with the unknown sample to the multiple different sized range bins. The greater the number of range bin matches based on peaks in the unknown sample and peaks in a corresponding reference sample, the greater the likelihood that the unknown sample matches the corresponding reference sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a non-invasive method and apparatus for measuring a fluid analyte, particularly relating to glucose or alcohol contained in blood or tissue, utilizing spectroscopic methods. More particularly, the method and apparatus incorporate means for detecting and quantifying changes in the concentration of specific analytes in tissue fluid. Also, the method and apparatus can be used to predict future levels of analyte concentration either in the tissue fluid or in blood in an adjacent vascular system.

Abstract: A method of determining disease state in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to Raman scattering of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating Raman emission with disease state to determine a disease state of the individual. The invention can comprise single wavelength excitation light, scanning of excitation light (illuminating the tissue at a plurality of wavelengths), detection at a single wavelength, scanning of detection wavelengths (detecting emitted light at a plurality of wavelengths), and combinations thereof. The invention also can comprise correction techniques that reduce determination errors due to detection of light other than that from Raman emission of a chemical in the tissue. For example, the reflectance of the tissue can lead to errors if appropriate correction is not employed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a non-invasive method and apparatus for measuring a fluid analyte, particularly relating to glucose or alcohol contained in blood or tissue, utilizing spectroscopic methods. More particularly, the method and apparatus incorporate means for detecting and quantifying changes in the concentration of specific analytes in tissue fluid. Also, the method and apparatus can be used to predict future levels of analyte concentration either in the tissue fluid or in blood in an adjacent vascular system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a non-invasive method and apparatus for measuring a fluid analyte, particularly relating to glucose or alcohol contained in blood or tissue, utilizing spectroscopic methods. More particularly, the method and apparatus incorporate means for detecting and quantifying changes in the concentration of specific analytes in tissue fluid. Also, the method and apparatus can be used to predict future levels of analyte concentration either in the tissue fluid or in blood in an adjacent vascular system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for infrared spectral analysis of samples to determine if the samples are normal or abnormal or to otherwise classify the sample. More specifically, the apparatus and method classify the sample on the basis of attenuation of infrared radiation at different wavelengths using a within-sample variance model. Further, the method and apparatus can include merging the output of multivariate classification models with the within-sample variance model applied to the infrared spectra sample such that their combined output results in a classification accuracy that is greater than any single model. The invention is useful in classifying, for example, biological samples such as human tissue, including cervical cells.

Abstract: The mounting system 10 includes a base support structure 12, a load support 14 and a compressive force-applying member 16. Compression elements 18 and 20 are disposed between the base support structure 12 and load support 14 and the load support 14 and member 16, respectively. Rods 22 interconnect base support structure 12 and member 16. Elements 18 and 20 are pre-compressively loaded by displacing member 16 toward base support structure 14 and compression elements 18 and 20 carry compression and tensile loadings while under compression. Support rods 22 extend through apertures in load support 14 to ensure vibration isolation of load support 14 from base support structure 12.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly is provided which includes a first attachment element or bracket for securing the damping mechanism to a first component, the vibrations of which are to be damped. A visco-elastic spacer is secured to the element or bracket at one end, and to a cylinder of a piston/cylinder assembly at its other end. A piston is slidably received in the cylinder with a predetermined clearance between the peripheral surface of the piston and the cylinder wall. A piston rod extending from the piston and the opposite end of the cylinder is received within a housing of a viscous damping device, the piston rod having a plurality of discs mounted thereon in predetermined, spaced relationship. An interior wall of the housing is also formed with a plurality of disc-like surfaces projecting toward the radial center of the housing, with aligned apertures therein to accommodate the piston rod.