Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a lipid-water ratio and a scattering parameter of a sample. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a light source and a detector arranged to measure an optical parameter at various wavelengths, where the wavelengths are selected so that at two of the wavelengths the absorption coefficients for both water and lipids are substantially identical. This enables determination of a scattering parameter. A further measurement at a third wavelength enables determination of a water-lipid ratio. According to a specific embodiment, the light source and the detector are arranged in relation to an interventional device, so as to be able to examine a tissue in terms of lipid-water ratio and scattering during an intervention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitative measurement of glycated hemoglobin (HbAIc) in a blood sample containing hemoglobin molecules. In this method, the hemoglobin molecules are extracted from the blood sample, adsorbed onto a roughened metal surface and subjected to a Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) measurement. The invention provides a universal method for the measurement of the HbAIc concentration in blood.

Abstract: An infrared radiant heating system for raising or maintaining a uniform core temperature of the body of a patient during surgery, substantially without affecting the temperature of the area surrounding the patient's body, comprising: infrared radiant heating means which in use is located in an unobtrusive position near the patient to provide radiant heat to the entire body or one or more parts of the body of the patient; and control means in communication with the heating means for controlling the intensity level and distribution of intensity of the radiant heat on the patient's body such that in use the skin temperature of the patient's body is raised or maintained within a predetermined range resulting in the uniform core body temperature, substantially without affecting the temperature of the area surrounding the patient's body.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical body analysis is built with an illumination and detection head, and an optical coupler. The illumination and detection head comprises a light source for illuminating a body portion to analyze through the optical coupler and a detector for receiving light diffusely reflected by the body portion. The optical coupler is mechanically decoupled from the illumination and detection head and is adapted to be in contact with an outer surface of the body portion while the contact between the optical coupler and the body portion minimally affects physical properties of the body portion. The apparatus may further comprise a position unit adapted to adjust the position of the illumination and detection head relative to the optical coupler so that the detector receives through the optical coupler light generated by the light source and diffusely reflected by the body portion.

Abstract: A Raman spectrum is measured inside animal tissue, such us human skin tissue, at a selected depth from a surface the tissue. A pH value is computed using a function that assigns a pH value as a function of the measured Raman spectrum. The computation may involve computing a number representing a ratio of concentrations of a protonated and a deprotonated version of a chemical substance from the Raman spectrum and generating pH information on the basis of said number. The chemical substance is for example a form of Urocanic acid (UCA). UV exposure is measured from the weight of the spectrum of cis-UCA.

Abstract: A detector (210, 310) that is configured to detect ghost-coherent reflections (260) produced by a superluminescent diode (SLD). The ghost reflections (260) are detected based on the optical coherence produced by reflections from surfaces (350, 450, 555) that are at integer multiples of the reflections within the SLD cavity (213), and thus exhibit the fine resolution discrimination that is typical of optical coherent detectors. In a preferred embodiment, the detector (210, 310) is configured to detect ghost reflections (260) from a surface at a particular multiple of the internal reflections. Ghost reflections (260) at other multiples are optically attenuated (330), or, if such reflections are known to be non-varying, canceled via a calibration procedure.

Abstract: Skin monitoring device for application near the skin, comprising a processing circuit connecting means and at least one photosensor configured to detect at least one approximate wavelength of light reflected and/or emitted by the skin, wherein a signal receiving circuit is provided for receiving signals from the at least one photosensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least one location of a blood vessel underneath the surface of a skin and that is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is well suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has an actuator for moving and aligning the cannula to a determined position. The system is further adapted to autonomously insert the cannula into the blood vessel for multiple purposes, such as blood withdrawal, venous medication and infusions.

Abstract: A method of performing surface-enhanced resonant Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) in respect of a sample (100) provided on an aggregated colloid nano-particle having a plasmon absorption band similar to that of a target molecule. The sample is irradiated at a first wavelength (?1).coinciding with the absorption band of the plasma, to obtain (12) a SERRS spectra for deriving (10) a fingerprint of the target melecule, and at a second wavelength (?2), coinciding with the absorption band caused by aggregate of said nano- particles, to obtain (14) a SERS spectra for monitoring (16) said aggregation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an analyte determination in blood, relying on spectroscopic techniques, in which sample is illuminated with light having dedicated spectral characteristics. The first light source (20) is a broadband light source in the IR-range, the second light source (25) is comprised of one or more monochromatic sources, such as laser diodes. The sources are chosen to correspond to wavelength highly correlated with glucose adsorption.

Abstract: The present invention describes the provision of an internal control in analytical techniques involving labeling of analytes, such as SERRS, for detection of an analyte, particularly a biomolecule in a sample, with improved accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spectroscopic apparatus for non-invasive in vivo analysis of blood and to a corresponding analysis method, in particular for direct determination of the pH value of the blood. From a Raman signal detected from an excited target region containing blood at least one predetermined pH sensitive signal portion is determined, from which the pH value of the blood in the target region by use of a relationship between pH value and one or more band parameters of pH sensitive vibrations of at least one molecule or part of a molecule present in blood, in particular heme vibrations of hemoglobin, is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (20) for depth-resolved measurements of properties of tissue (114). The apparatus comprises illumination means (112) adapted to illuminate the tissue (114) with light, collector means (115) for collecting light which has not been absorbed by the tissue (114), determination means (108) for determining properties of the tissue (114) in different depths from the collected light, and a casing (121), in which at least a part of the illumination means and the collector means are located, for advancing into a hollow object. The illumination means (112) and the collector means (115) are adapted to collect light depth-resolved, and the determination means (108) is adapted to determine depth-resolved properties of the tissue (114) from the light, which has been collected depth-resolved.

Abstract: A medical device (1) is in the form of a flexible tube (1) having a first end (2) and a second end (3) each adapted for insertion at separate points through the skin (4) of a body into a blood vessel (5), such that the tube (1) defines a conduit that traverses at least in part above the skin (4) of the body. In use, blood flow is diverted from the body through the tube (1) and back to the body. The fluid flowing through the tube (1) above the skin is available for continuous analysis, for example, by a Raman spectroscopy system (10) that analyses the blood for glucose concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least a location of a blood vessel underneath of the surface of a skin and is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is potentially suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has tissue analysis means to analyse the skin surface in the proximity of the puncture location to check whether the skin is suitable for punctuation. This prevents puncturing the skin at locations where scars, wound and the like can be found.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter head comprising: means (104, 108; 306, 304; 320; 322; 326; 338) for directing of radiation to a blood detection volume (220; 310), means (104, 108; 306, 304; 320; 322; 326; 332, 334, 330; 338) for receiving of return radiation from the blood detection volume, means (104; 306; 330) for transmitting of the return radiation to means (122) for analysis of the return radiation for determination of at least one property of the blood.

Abstract: A system (10, 100, 300, 400) is provided for identifying certain targeted cells or tissues in a body. The system (10, 100, 300, 400) preferably includes at least one ingestible capsule that accommodates or supports (20) at least one of an illuminating module (30, 114, 322, 422, 452), a detecting module (40, 124, 324, 424, 434, 454), an imaging module (50, 326, 432, 456), a control module (60), or a reservoir (70, 132, 312, 412, 442) suitable for retaining and releasing one or more nanoshells. A method (200) is also provided for employing the system (10, 100, 300, 400) to detect, image or otherwise interact with diseased or abnormal cells and/or tissues in a body. The system (10, 100, 300, 400) and method (200) provided allow for improved diagnosing, treating and imaging techniques and for increased sensitivity and specificity in efficiently distinguishing targeted diseased or abnormal cells or tissue from surrounding healthy cells or tissue.

Abstract: A property of a fluid is determined spectroscopically, such as for the purposes of in vivo blood analysis. First the position of a volume of interest through which the fluid flows is determined by an optical detection step by making use of an objective. Preferably the optical detection step is an imaging step. Next the objective is moved to bring the focal point of the objective into coincidence with the volume of interest. In this position an optical spectroscopic step is performed. This has the advantage that the measurement beam for performing the optical spectroscopy travels along the optical axis for optimum efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least a location of a blood vessel underneath of the surface of a skin and is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is well suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has an actuator for moving and aligning the cannula to a determined position. The system is further adapted to autonomously insert the cannula into the blood vessel for multiple purposes, such as blood withdrawal, venous medication and infusions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for guiding a probe over the surface of the skin of a patient. Performing measurements with ultrasound techniques for small structures such as blood vessels need well-defined spatial relationship between the measuring probe and the tissue which has to be examined. The invention seeks to ensure a movement of the measuring probe in a controlled and precise way over the skin. Therefore, a system 1 is suggested which comprises a probe holder 2 to which a probe 4 is rigidly attachable. The probe holder 2 is moveable along at least one rail 5, 5?. The rail can be wrapped around the patient 3 or a body part 7 of the patient or the animal.