Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus and method to capture an image of in-vivo tissue with automatic exposure control. For example, the method includes capturing image data on an image sensor and analyzing an indication of brightness of each pixel to determine whether the captured image data is saturated. When the image data is saturated, the method includes reducing the exposure period by a first increment, and repeating the capturing and analyzing steps until the captured image data is not saturated. When the captured image data is not saturated, in some embodiments, the method includes analyzing the indication of brightness of each pixel compared to a threshold indicative of use of a proportion of an available dynamic range of the image sensor, and when it is determined that the threshold has not been reached, increasing the exposure period by a second increment that has a magnitude relative to the first increment.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus and method to capture an image of in-vivo tissue with automatic exposure control. For example, the method includes capturing image data on an image sensor and analyzing an indication of brightness of each pixel to determine whether the captured image data is saturated. When the image data is saturated, the method includes reducing the exposure period by a first increment, and repeating the capturing and analyzing steps until the captured image data is not saturated. When the captured image data is not saturated, in some embodiments, the method includes analyzing the indication of brightness of each pixel compared to a threshold indicative of use of a proportion of an available dynamic range of the image sensor, and when it is determined that the threshold has not been reached, increasing the exposure period by a second increment that has a magnitude relative to the first increment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of the viable cells in an endodontic sample in or taken from an endodontic cavity in the tooth, such as the root canal, enables the rapid and low cost identification of the presence or absence of bacteria or other viable cell tissue in the endodontic space by first incubating a viable cell indicator with an endodontic sample for a pre-determined period suitable for chair-side test and then measuring and/or detecting a change in a parameter (e.g. fluorescence) associated with the viable cell indicator. Thereby, the required level of root canal treatment can be reached which minimizes the risk of re-infection without the time, cost and potentially harm of over-preparation and over treatment by the dental surgeon or of a re-treatment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of the viable cells in an endodontic sample in or taken from an endodontic cavity in the tooth, such as the root canal, enables the rapid and low cost identification of the presence or absence of bacteria or other viable cell tissue in the endodontic space by first incubating a viable cell indicator with an endodontic sample for a pre-determined period suitable for chair-side test and then measuring and/or detecting a change in a parameter (e.g. fluorescence) associated with the viable cell indicator. Thereby, the required level of root canal treatment can be reached which minimizes the risk of re-infection without the time, cost and potentially harm of over-preparation and over treatment by the dental surgeon or of a re-treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for imaging the vascular structure and vascular blood flow of an organ or tissue and, in particular, relates to a selective wavelength epi-illumination endoscopic imaging apparatus to image vascular tissues and real time capillary blood flow in vivo. The invention also relates to determining the blood oxygen content of the organ or tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for imaging the vascular structure and vascular blood flow of an organ or tissue and, in particular, relates to a selective wavelength epi-illumination endoscopic imaging apparatus to image vascular tissues and real time capillary blood flow in vivo. The invention also relates to determining the blood oxygen content of the organ or tissue.

Abstract: A combined surface topography and spectroscopic analysis instrument comprises a scanning tunnelling microscope tip (12); and a sample carrier (58) which supports a sample (10) so that a surface thereto to be analyzed is presented towards the tip (12). The sample carrier (58) and the tip (12) are relative movable to enable the distance between the tip (12) and the surface to be varied in use and the sample surface to be scanned in two dimensions by the tip (12). An electronic analyzer is positioned to detect electrons from the tip (12) which have been back-scattered off the sample surface. A voltage controller (59) enables selective operation of the tip (12) in a first voltage range in scanning tunnelling mode, to enable spatial resolution imaging of the sample surface, and in a second, higher, voltage range in electron field emission mode whereby to permit the electron analyzer to analyze the back-scattered electrons.

Abstract: A combined surface topography and spectroscopic analysis instrument comprises a scanning tunnelling microscope tip (12); and a sample carrier (58) which supports a sample (10) so that a surface thereof to be analyzed is presented towards the tip (12). The sample carrier (58) and the tip (12) are relative movable to enable the distance between the tip (12) and the surface to be varied in use and the sample surface to be scanned in two dimensions by the tip (12). An electron analyzer is positioned to detect electrons from the tip (12) which have been back-scattered off the sample surface. A voltage controller (59) enables selective operation of the tip (12) in a first voltage range in scanning tunnelling mode, to enable spatial resolution imaging of the sample surface, and in a second, higher, voltage range in electron field emission mode whereby to permit the electron analyzer to analyze the back-scattered electrons.