Abstract: An optoacoustic system includes first and second light sources capable of generating pulse of light at first and second wavelengths, first and second electrically controlled optical attenuators, first and second light sync detectors, and a combiner. A power meter that is calibrated to determine power at the first and second predominant wavelength measures power at the first wavelength after the first light sync is detected and measures power at the second wavelength after the second light sync is detected. The system includes a calibration mode wherein it electrically attenuates the first optical attenuator when the power measured by the power meter at the first wavelength after the first light sync is detected is above a first level, and electrically attenuated the second optical attenuator when the power measured by the power meter at the second wavelength after the second light sync is detected is above a second level.

Abstract: An optoacoustic imaging system comprising a light source, a handheld probe and a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The light source is capable of generating at least one pulse of light. The handheld probe comprising a transducer array capable of receiving an optoacoustic return signal. In an embodiment, the fibers being randomized between the input and the output in a manner that prevents a local anomaly affecting an adjacent group of the fibers at the input from affecting an adjacent group of the fibers at the output. In an embodiment, the output of the fiber optic cable being organized into multiple groups, and the fibers being intermingled between the input and the output in a manner that prevents a local anomaly affecting an adjacent group of the fibers at the input from disproportionately affecting one or more of the output groups.

Abstract: A 1 ½ D probe is used in acoustic Doppler blood flow imaging to accurately determine the position of blood vessel in three dimensions. The 1 ½ D probe has closely spaced elements in the x direction and widely spaced elements in the y direction. Doppler power measurements are used to determine the y position of the blood vessel to an accuracy better than achieved by prior art techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to animal crate construction such as farrowing crates for a sow and her new born piglets wherein a farrowing crate and a pair of associated side pens in which the piglets are free to move are provided. The farrowing crate includes vertical standards at each corner of the crate having a pair of interchangeable side members slideably received thereover spacing the vertical standards longitudinally and upper and lower bridger flanges carried between the tops and bottoms, respectively, of the standards so as to space the standards and opposed side members laterally. A pair of interchangeable door members are pivotably attached at each upper and lower bridger flange so that the door members can be selectively opened from each side. The interchangeable side members have offset side frame portions so as to vary the width of the crate interior when the side members are carried by the standards in a reverse or interchangeable manner.