Abstract: Marking apparatus for marking tissue imaged through an imaging device including a viewing element in the form of a spacer having an imaging window which provides an imaging zone through which tissue can be imaged by an imaging probe. The apparatus can include a marker implement connected to a coupling device. In some embodiments, the coupling device is configurable to position the marker implement in a first position substantially out of the imaging window and a second position in the imaging zone of the imaging window. The marker implement can apply a mark when in the second position and thereby to tissue in the imaging zone while the apparatus remains in the imaging position on the tissue. The spacer can be length adjustable in order to change the depth of focus of the imaging probe, thereby to focus at different depths within a patient's skin.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, method and measurement system are disclosed. The arrangement includes a first input to receive a first beam from a frequency swept laser, a second input to receive a second beam from a fixed frequency pump laser source. A non-linear optical artifact receives and intermodulates the first and second beams to generate a third beam, the third being an inverted copy of the first beam mirrored relative to the fixed frequency of the pump laser source. A selective combining element outputs the first and third beams. The non-linear artifact or one or both of the lasers is selected or configured such that the optical frequency separation of the first and second beams satisfies the coherence length condition of the non-linear artifact.

Abstract: A position detection system is able to detect the three dimensional position of at least one target (10). Each target (10) is configured to act as a retro-reflector for light incident from any direction. At least one light emitter illuminates the at least one target (10) and at least one detector (24) is provided for detecting and taking measurements of light retro-reflected from a target (10). There is also provided a processor for processing measurements taken by each detector (24) to determine the three dimensional position of the at least one target (10).

Abstract: A measurement device (120) includes a light director and a spatial light modulator (130). The light director is disposed to direct light to the spatial light modulator (130) and the spatial light modulator (130) is disposed to receive light from the light director and to modulate it to form an intensity pattern. An optical element is disposed to receive light which formed the intensity pattern and is arranged to magnify the intensity pattern into a measurement space. A detector (142) is disposed to detect light reflected from the measurement space.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, method and measurement system are disclosed. The arrangement includes a first input to receive a first beam from a frequency swept laser, a second input to receive a second beam from a fixed frequency pump laser source. A non-linear optical artefact receives and intermodulates the first and second beams to generate a third beam, the third being an inverted copy of the first beam mirrored relative to the fixed frequency of the pump laser source. A selective combining element outputs the first and third beams. The non-linear artefact or one or both of the lasers is selected or configured such that the optical frequency separation of the first and second beams satisfies the coherence length condition of the non-linear artefact.

Abstract: A position detection system is able to detect the three dimensional position of at least one target (10). Each target (10) is configured to act as a retro-reflector for light incident from any direction. At least one light emitter illuminates the at least one target (10) and at least one detector (24) is provided for detecting and taking measurements of light retro-reflected from a target (10). There is also provided a processor for processing measurements taken by each detector (24) to determine the three dimensional position of the at least one target (10).

Abstract: A measurement device (120) includes a light director and a spatial light modulator (130). The light director is disposed to direct light to the spatial light modulator (130) and the spatial light modulator (130) is disposed to receive light from the light director and to modulate it to form an intensity pattern. An optical element is disposed to receive light which formed the intensity pattern and is arranged to magnify the intensity pattern into a measurement space. A detector (142) is disposed to detect light reflected from the measurement space.

Abstract: A tracking system is provided for tracking while determining the position of a point relative to a datum and includes a carriage (4) rotatably mounted on a frame (1) and which can rotate around a precision sphere (2). An interferometer (16) is mounted so as to rotate with the carriage (4), such that a mechanical center of rotation of the device and the measurement datum of the interferometer coincide at the same point.