Abstract: A biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane configured to detect biomarkers in a sample. The biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane includes a flexible and porous polymer membrane and SERS-active nanoparticles formed on the flexible and porous polymer membrane, where the flexible and porous polymer membrane includes cellulose or an elastomeric polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method of forming the biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane and a method of determining a state of wound healing in a diabetic individual involving the use of the biocompatible SERS-active polymer membrane.

Abstract: A portable device operable to identify photosynthetic activity and contents of compounds in a plant part. The portable device includes a light source including light-emitting diodes operable to irradiate the plant part with light. The portable device further includes a control module operable to have the light-emitting diodes emit the light as pulse signals. Additionally, the portable device includes a focus-adjustable lens and a filter optically coupled to the light source, where the adjustable lens and the filter are co-operable to consolidate light reflected from the plant part which may be irradiated by light from the light-emitting diodes. Furthermore, the portable device includes a detector optically positioned to receive from the focus-adjustable lens and the filter the light reflected from the plant part, where the light reflected from the plant part corresponds to the photosynthetic activity and contents of compounds in the plant part.

Abstract: An optical system for imaging. The optical system includes light emitting diodes to provide light of predetermined wavelengths. The optical system further includes a charge-coupled device to receive the light emitted by one or more light emitting diodes and reflected by an object for fluorescence imaging of the object. The optical system additionally includes a broadband light source to provide broadband light. Furthermore, the optical system includes a spectrometer to receive the broadband light emitted by the broadband light source and reflected by the object for visible-near infrared-shortwave infrared spectroscopy of the object. Additionally, the optical system includes a hyperspectral camera to receive the broadband light emitted by the broadband light source and reflected by the object for hyperspectral imaging of the object as well as a controller coupled to the light emitting diodes, the broadband light source, the charge-coupled device, the spectrometer and the hyperspectral camera.

Abstract: Provided is an optical probe, and a Raman spectroscopy system using such, including excitation and detection optics coupled to a sampling optics via a beam splitter, in confocal arrangement with a sample focal plane of the sampling optics. The detection optics is arranged to receive Raman signal from the sample focal plane and direct it onto a tip of a detection optical fiber. The optical probe may further include a positioning device mechanically coupled to the sampling optics and configured to control a position of the sample focal plane. In the Raman spectroscopy system a light source is coupled to the excitation optics via an excitation optical fiber, and a spectrometer is coupled to a detection optics via a detection optical fiber. Provided is further a method for measuring Raman signal depth profile in a sample, wherein sample's Raman spectra is measured and stored at different focal plane positions.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide an optical fiber for sensing an analyte. The optical fiber may include a dielectric core wall defining a hollow space. The optical fiber may also include a cladding layer surrounding the dielectric core wall and spaced apart from the dielectric core wall. The optical fiber may further include a plurality of supports extending from the cladding layer to the dielectric core wall. A thickness of the dielectric core wall may be greater than a thickness of each of the plurality of supports. The dielectric core wall may be configured to carry an optical light for sensing the analyte.

Abstract: The present application discloses a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active photonic crystal fiber (PCF) probe including a biopsy needle in the PCF probe for integrated sample collection and SERS sensing of one or more analytes comprised in the sample. The PCF comprises solid core and a cladding region surrounding the solid core, wherein the cladding region comprises air holes functionalised by metallic nanoparticles. The application also provides a method for detecting one or more analytes using the PCF probe as well as the use of the PCF probe for the detection of one or more analytes.

Abstract: Provided are a system and a method for in vivo detection of adipose tissue browning. The system includes a fiber probe configured to illuminate light on an adipose tissue site; a spectrometer configured to obtain diffuse reflectance spectrum information from the adipose tissue site; a chromophore measure determining module configured to determine a fraction of lipid chromophore with respect to lipid chromophore and water chromophore based on spectrally unmixing the diffuse reflectance spectrum information in a region of 1050 nm to 1400 nm; and a browning detector module configured to detect adipose tissue browning based on the fraction determined above.

Abstract: The present application discloses a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active photonic crystal fiber (PCF) probe including a biopsy needle in the PCF probe for integrated sample collection and SERS sensing of one or more analytes comprised in the sample. The PCF comprises solid core and a cladding region surrounding the solid core, wherein the cladding region comprises air holes functionalised by metallic nanoparticles. The application also provides a method for detecting one or more analytes using the PCF probe as well as the use of the PCF probe for the detection of one or more analytes.

Abstract: Provided is an optical probe, and a Raman spectroscopy system using such, including excitation and detection optics coupled to a sampling optics via a beam splitter, in confocal arrangement with a sample focal plane of the sampling optics. The detection optics is arranged to receive Raman signal from the sample focal plane and direct it onto a tip of a detection optical fiber. The optical probe may further include a positioning device mechanically coupled to the sampling optics and configured to control a position of the sample focal plane. In the Raman spectroscopy system a light source is coupled to the excitation optics via an excitation optical fiber, and a spectrometer is coupled to a detection optics via a detection optical fiber. Provided is further a method for measuring Raman signal depth profile in a sample, wherein sample's Raman spectra is measured and stored at different focal plane positions.

Abstract: A method of imaging living tissue is provided. The method includes introducing a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer into living tissue; and obtaining an image of the living tissue by photoacoustic imaging. Use of a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer in photoacoustic imaging is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) particle comprising the step of encapsulating a plurality of Raman molecules on the surface of a metallic core with a biocompatible protective shell at an elevated temperature selected to decrease the encapsulation time by more than one-fold relative to an encapsulation performed at 20° C.

Abstract: A method of imaging living tissue is provided. The method includes introducing a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer into living tissue; and obtaining an image of the living tissue by photoacoustic imaging. Use of a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer in photoacoustic imaging is also provided.

Abstract: A compound of structural formula (I): The values and alternative values are as defined herein. The invention also includes biosensors comprising nanoparticles functionalized with a compound of structural formula (I). Also described is a method for labeling a biomolecule using a compound of structural formula (I) and a method of detecting a target biomolecule using a compound of structural formula (I) or a biosensor of the invention.

Abstract: A compound for detecting an analyte using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and a method of forming the compound is provided. The compound has Formula I: wherein W is selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted aryl group and an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; each Y independently is NR1R2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1-C6 alkyl, or R1 and R2 combine to form together with the nitrogen to which they are attached a heterocyclic group with 4 to 5 carbon atoms, is used to denote a single or a double bond, and Z is NH, NH2, NH—(C?O)—(CH2)n—SH, wherein n=1 to 10, or or a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt thereof. A method and device for detecting an analyte using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) particle comprising the step of encapsulating a plurality of Raman molecules on the surface of a metallic core with a biocompatible protective shell at an elevated temperature selected to decrease the encapsulation time by more than one-fold relative to an encapsulation performed at 20° C.

Abstract: A method for sensing, a photonic crystal fiber, a method for fabricating a photonic crystal fiber sensor, and a Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) sensing apparatus. The method for sensing comprises the steps of providing a photonic crystal fiber comprising a hollow core and a plurality of cladding holes around the hollow core; providing Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) active nanoparticles; and adapting the SERS active nanoparticles and/or the fiber for SERS sensing.

Abstract: A compound for detecting an analyte using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and a method of forming the compound is provided. The compound has Formula I: wherein W is selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted aryl group and an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; each Y independently is NR1R2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1-C6 alkyl, or R1 and R2 combine to form together with the nitrogen to which they are attached a heterocyclic group with 4 to 5 carbon atoms, is used to denote a single or a double bond, and Z is NH, NH2, NH—(C?O)—(CH2)n—SH, wherein n=1 to 10, or or a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt thereof. A method and device for detecting an analyte using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for clearly imaging samples such as fingerprints on substrates of forensic samples. The present invention overcomes the problems of the Laser-Induced-Fluorescence (LIF) technique to distinguish fluorescence from the sample from that of the substrate. The method of the present invention uses either a homodyne- or a heterodyne-assisted phase resolving method, or both, to suppress the contribution of the substrate fluorescence. The resulting image of the sample will then be sufficiently clear for forensic purposes. The present invention may also be used on histological and biochemical samples to visualise latent images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for clearly imaging samples such as fingerprints on substrates of forensic samples. The present invention overcomes the problems of the Laser-Induced-Fluorescence (LIF) technique to distinguish fluorescence from the sample from that of the substrate. The method of the present invention uses either a homodyne- or a heterodyne-assisted phase resolving method, or both, to suppress the contribution of the substrate fluorescence. The resulting image of the sample will then be sufficiently clear for forensic purposes. The present invention may also be used on histological and biochemical samples to visualise latent images.