Abstract: The present invention relates generally to monitoring of biochemical amplification reactions using electromagnetic radiation, and more particularly to an apparatus for optical monitoring of isothermal and thermally-cycled amplification reactions using radiation ranging from the ultraviolet region through the infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Moreover, the method discussed herein could be similarly applied to any process that results in biochemical amplification, regardless of the specific technique employed.

Abstract: Vital sign monitoring is especially challenging in small animals, given the high metabolic rates and small volumes under consideration. An embodiment of the present invention includes a unique nose-cone design and associated instrumentation which allows for measurement of respiratory parameters, including anesthesia gas concentration, inspiratory and expiratory O2, and inspiratory and expiratory CO2 (capnometry). Such instrumentation facilitates a physiologic assessment of small animals undergoing general anesthesia, an increasingly important consideration as small animals play a greater role in in vivo biomedical studies. In addition, the techniques proposed herein are suitable for measurement on small respiratory volumes associated with neonatal monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a dose of irradiating light for a therapeutic process includes identifying an internal target area of a patient affected by a pathology and irradiating an externally accessible area of the patient proximate to the internal target area with a number of photons at least having wavelengths approximately within a near-infrared (IR) band. The method also includes receiving feedback from one of a spectrophotometer and a patient physiology monitoring system and adjusting the number of photons irradiating the externally accessible area of the patient. From the feedback, a determination is made to identify the number of photons needed to irradiate the externally accessible area of the patient to cause a change in biochemical state of cytochrome oxidase in the internal target area to a desired biochemical state of cytochrome oxidase in the internal target area.

Abstract: A system for probing a circuit is disclosed. In particular, a system for monitoring power levels close to the tip of a measurement probe in order to more accurately monitor the power applied to a circuit is contemplated. Microwave and millimeter wave signals are monitored through the use of a directional coupler which is mounted proximate the probe tip of a measurement probe. Power delivered to the probe tip is then detected by a signal created in the directional coupler. Connected to the directional coupler is a diode. The voltage across the diode is monitored and is indicative of the power delivered to the probe tip. A control signal resulting from the diode voltage may provide feedback control to a power source which delivers power to the measurement probe. Thus, utilizing feedback control a more accurate power delivery system is provided.