Abstract: A method of monitoring a malignant tissue response to cancer treatment, including: acquiring, throughout a treatment course, one or more thermal images of the treated malignant tissue; processing the one or more thermal images to detect changes in the malignant tissue following the treatment; and analyzing the processed images to determine an effect of the treatment on the malignant tissue based on said detected changes.

Abstract: Method for examining bone in vivo, comprises obtaining a laser beam; modulating the laser beam to insert therein photoacoustic frequencies including optical frequencies and acoustic frequencies, the acoustic frequencies being able to give rise to acoustic waves; directing the modulated beam at a bone to cause acoustic waves resulting from the beam to travel through the bone; analyzing received signals from the bone including signals resulting from the acoustic waves, to determine a mineral density and a bone quality for said bone, and thus obtain in-vivo data that can be of assistance to a doctor when diagnosing osteoporosis.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method for spectroscopic detection and identification of bacteria in culture is disclosed. The method incorporates construction of at least one data set, which may be a spectrum, interference pattern, or scattering pattern, from a cultured sample suspected of containing said bacteria. The data set is corrected for the presence of water in the sample, spectral features are extracted using a principal components analysis, and the features are classified using a learning algorithm. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, to differentiate MRSA from MSSA, a multimodal analysis is performed in which identification of the bacteria is made based on a spectrum of the sample, an interference pattern used to determine cell wall thickness, and a scattering pattern used to determine cell wall roughness. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed, one embodiment of which incorporates a multiple sample analyzer.

Abstract: Method for examining bone in vivo, comprises obtaining a laser beam; modulating the laser beam to insert therein photoacoustic frequencies including optical frequencies and acoustic frequencies, the acoustic frequencies being able to give rise to acoustic waves; directing the modulated beam at a bone to cause acoustic waves resulting from the beam to travel through the bone; analyzing received signals from the bone including signals resulting from the acoustic waves, to determine a mineral density and a bone quality for said bone, and thus obtain in-vivo data that can be of assistance to a doctor when diagnosing osteoporosis.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method for spectroscopic detection and identification of bacteria in culture is disclosed. The method incorporates construction of at least one data set, which may be a spectrum, interference pattern, or scattering pattern, from a cultured sample suspected of containing said bacteria. The data set is corrected for the presence of water in the sample, spectral features are extracted using a principal components analysis, and the features are classified using a learning algorithm. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, to differentiate MRSA from MSSA, a multimodal analysis is performed in which identification of the bacteria is made based on a spectrum of the sample, an interference pattern used to determine cell wall thickness, and a scattering pattern used to determine cell wall roughness. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed, one embodiment of which incorporates a multiple sample analyzer.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: An ultrahigh-resolution fiber-optic confocal microscope has an illumination system; three single-mode optical fibers, each optically coupled to a fiber coupler; a sample support stage arranged to receive illumination radiation from an end of one of the single-mode optical fibers; a detector arranged to receive output radiation from one of the single-mode optical fibers; and a lock-in amplifier electrically connected to the detector and the illumination system. The illumination system is adapted to provide illumination radiation that has a time-varying strength that is correlated with the detector by the lock-in amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls, comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls, comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: An ultrahigh-resolution fiber-optic confocal microscope has an illumination system; three single-mode optical fibers, each optically coupled to a fiber coupler; a sample support stage arranged to receive illumination radiation from an end of one of the single-mode optical fibers; a detector arranged to receive output radiation from one of the single-mode optical fibers; and a lock-in amplifier electrically connected to the detector and the illumination system. The illumination system is adapted to provide illumination radiation that has a time-varying strength that is correlated with the detector by the lock-in amplifier.

Abstract: In therapeutic endoscopy micro-knives, electrical diathermy or laser beam replace the conventional hand-held scalpel. The laser “knife” has substantial capabilities over the rest: it can cut incisions, coagulate hemorrhages and ablate (vaporize) neoplastic tissues, while interaction is contact-less and sterile. The laser energy is delivered transendoscopically through rigid or flexible fiberoptic waveguides. Flexible endoscopes are used to access body curved spaces and cavities, such as the digestive tract. A control system for minimally invasive surgery, and more particularly, for laser surgery using infrared laser is provided. A feedback mechanism is provided to obtain thermographic information from the targeted site and a processor uses this thermographic information to monitor and control input parameters, including air flow, suction, and laser beam parameters.

Abstract: A hollow waveguide for guiding laser energy, includes a proximal end for receiving the laser energy and a distal end terminating in a distal tip for delivering the laser energy to a working area. The distal end of the hollow waveguide includes an annular, converging, inner surface converging the laser energy towards the distal tip such as to concentrate the laser energy delivered through the distal tip to the working area. Also described are methods of making the hollow waveguide.

Abstract: A laser beam waveguide particularly useful for transmitting infrared laser radiation includes a flexible, hollow plastic tube; a metal layer on the inner surface of the hollow plastic tube; a thin dielectric film on the inner surface of the metal layer; and a flexible layer over the outer surface of the hollow plastic tube capable of absorbing infrared radiation and preventing kinking of the hollow plastic tube.