Abstract: The device disclosed herein may be affixed over a transparent dressing overlying the catheter entry point, or may be used independent of such a dressing. The device may be affixed to the catheter insertion site using an adhesive or fastening band, or through other methods. Depending on context, the device may be used continuously or periodically, and may be affixed such that it is directly abutting a transparent dressing or directly adjacent to the skin surface, or it may be spaced a certain distance from the skin. If spaced from the skin, light may be directed from the light sources, either directly or indirectly through optical conduits. Preferably the light sources will be positioned such that light from the light sources overlaps at one or more areas on the skin, especially the catheter entry point.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices comprising an elongated probe for the in vivo detection of meconium in amniotic fluid held in an amniotic sac based on detecting the presence of Zinc-coproporphyrin I (ZnCP). ZnCP is excited at approximately 405 nm and emits characteristic fluorescence, centered at about 580 nm and less intensely at 630 nm.

Abstract: The device disclosed herein may be affixed over a transparent dressing overlying the catheter entry point, or may be used independent of such a dressing. The device may be affixed to the catheter insertion site using an adhesive or fastening band, or through other methods. Depending on context, the device may be used continuously or periodically, and may be affixed such that it is directly abutting a transparent dressing or directly adjacent to the skin surface, or it may be spaced a certain distance from the skin. If spaced from the skin, light may be directed from the light sources, either directly or indirectly through optical conduits. Preferably the light sources will be positioned such that light from the light sources overlaps at one or more areas on the skin, especially the catheter entry point.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing patient bloodstream infection by microorganisms during administration of various medications or fluids through IV lines. In particular, the invention reduces contamination of IV lines, connecters, stopcock valves, manifolds, ports, etc. by means of irradiation by violet and/or blue light. Each embodiment comprises a source of violet and/or blue light and an optical element optically coupled to that light source for shaping the radiation pattern of the light emitted by the light source. Preferably, a light-emitting diode or a laser diode that emits light in the desired wavelength can be used. The optical element, optically coupled to the light source, is embedded or installed in or attached to a component of an IV set, the emitted light being directed to a “point of entry” or any other stagnation point of an IV set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing patient bloodstream infection by microorganisms during administration of various medications or fluids through IV lines. In particular, the invention reduces contamination of IV lines, connecters, stopcock valves, manifolds, ports, etc. by means of irradiation by violet and/or blue light. Each embodiment comprises a source of violet and/or blue light and an optical element optically coupled to that light source for shaping the radiation pattern of the light emitted by the light source. Preferably, a light-emitting diode or a laser diode that emits light in the desired wavelength can be used. The optical element, optically coupled to the light source, is embedded or installed in or attached to a component of an IV set, the emitted light being directed to a “point of entry” or any other stagnation point of an IV set.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices comprising an elongated probe for the in vivo detection of meconium in amniotic fluid held in an amniotic sac based on detecting the presence of Zinc-coproporphyrin I (ZnCP). ZnCP is excited at approximately 405 nm and emits characteristic fluorescence, centered at about 580 nm and less intensely at 630 nm.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for diagnosing the degree of body metabolic emergency state. A non-vital organ with respect to the metabolic emergency state is first chosen. One or more tissue viability parameters including at least one of NADH and Flavoprotein (Fp) concentration are monitored in the non-vital organ, whereupon the degree of body metabolic emergency state may be determined based on the monitored tissue viability parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the oxygenation state of at least one tissue element, comprising: a) illumination means for illuminating said tissue element with an illuminating radiation at a predetermined wavelength via at least one illumination location with respect to said tissue element, said illuminating radiation being at a wavelength within the NADH excitation spectrum or the Fp excitation spectrum; b) radiation receiving means and detection means for measuring the intensity of the corresponding NADH fluorescence or Fp fluorescence emitted by the tissue element at at least two predetermined wavelengths within the range of wavelengths comprised within the corresponding fluorescence emission spectrum.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a plurality of tissue viability parameters of a tissue layer element, in which two different illumination sources are used via a common illumination element in contact with the tissue. One illumination source is used for monitoring blood flow rate and optionally flavoprotein concentration, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. The other illuminating radiation is used for monitoring any one of and preferably all of NADH, blood volume and blood oxygenation state of the tissue element, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. In one embodiment, the wavelengths of the two illumination sources are similar, and common collection fibers for the two illuminating radiations are used. In another embodiment, the respective collection fibers are distanced from the illumination point at different distances correlated to the ratio of the first and second illuminating wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical probe, for acquiring measurements of material in a surface, the probe comprising: a probe body; at least one illuminating optical fiber that transmits light to a distal end thereof to illuminate a region of the surface and interact with the material; and at least one receiving optical fiber, positioned to receive light that has been transmitted by the illuminating fiber to the region and has interacted with the material, which received light is used for acquiring the measurements, the receiving fiber thereby being defined as associated with the illuminating fiber; wherein at least one of the fibers has a portion inside the probe body with a bend.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for diagnosing the degree of body metabolic emergency state. A non-vital organ with respect to the metabolic emergency state is first chosen. One or more tissue viability parameters including at least one of NADH and Flavoprotein (Fp) concentration are monitored in the non-vital organ, whereupon the degree of body metabolic emergency state may be determined based on the monitored tissue viability parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a plurality of tissue viability parameters of a substantially identical tissue element, in which a single illumination laser source provides illumination radiation at a wavelength such as to enable monitoring of blood flow rate and NADH or flavoprotein concentration, together with blood volume and also blood oxygenation state. In preferred embodiments, an external cavity laser diode system is used to ensure that the laser operates in single mode or at else in two or three non-competing modes, each mode comprising a relatively narrow bandwidth. A laser stabilisation control system is provided to ensure long term operation of the laser source at the desired conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a plurality of tissue viability parameters of a tissue layer element, in which two different illumination sources are used via a common illumination element in contact with the tissue. One illumination source is used for monitoring blood flow rate and optionally flavoprotein concentration, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. The other illuminating radiation is used for monitoring any one of and preferably all of NADH, blood volume and blood oxygenation state of the tissue element, and collection fibers are provided to receive the appropriate radiation from the tissue. In one embodiment, the wavelengths of the two illumination sources are similar, and common collection fibers for the two illuminating radiations are used. In another embodiment, the respective collection fibers are distanced from the illumination point at different distances correlated to the ratio of the first and second illuminating wavelengths.

Abstract: A personal identification instrument (PII) including a naked-eye-viewable image of a legitimate PII owner and an encoded image of said legitimate PII owner disposed on a substrate, wherein the naked-eye-viewable image and the encoded image comprise different aspects of the legitimate PII owner.