Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor assembly, system, and method for measuring a characteristic of a biological tissue is provided. The NIRS sensor assembly includes a light source, at least one light detector, and a subject contact layer. The light source is operable to emit light at one or more predetermined wavelengths. The light detector has an active area for detecting light emitted by the light source and passed through the biological tissue. The detector is operable to produce signals representative of the detected light. The subject contact layer is disposed to cover one or both of the light detector and the light source. The subject contact layer has at least one optically transmissive portion.

Abstract: A NIRS sensor assembly includes a light source, a light detector, a first insulating layer, an EMI shielding layer, and a second insulating layer. The first insulating layer covers an exposed portion of the light detector. An optically transparent portion of the first insulating layer is aligned with an active area of the light detector. The EMI shielding layer covers the first insulating layer. An optically transparent portion of the EMI shielding layer is aligned with the active area of the light detector. The second insulating layer covers the EMI shielding layer and the first insulating layer. An optically transparent portion of the second insulating layer is aligned with the active area of the at least one light detector.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor assembly, system, and method for measuring a characteristic of a biological tissue is provided. The NIRS sensor assembly includes a light source, at least one light detector, and a subject contact layer. The light source is operable to emit light at one or more predetermined wavelengths. The light detector has an active area for detecting light emitted by the light source and passed through the biological tissue. The detector is operable to produce signals representative of the detected light. The subject contact layer is disposed to cover one or both of the light detector and the light source. The subject contact layer has at least one optically transmissive portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically and mechanically coupling a connection portion of a sensor assembly with a connection portion of an interface cable is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having an EMI shielding material. The frame defines a first port operable to engage the connection portion of the sensor assembly and a second port operable to engage the connection portion of the interface cable. The frame includes attachment features operable to mechanically secure the connection portion of the sensor assembly and the connection portion of the interface cable relative to the frame. The frame is configured to provide a Faraday Cage around substantially all of the connection portion of the sensor assembly and the connection portion of the interface cable when the connection portions are in coupled configuration.

Abstract: A NIRS sensor assembly includes a light source, a light detector, a first insulating layer, an EMI shielding layer, and a second insulating layer. The first insulating layer covers an exposed portion of the light detector. An optically transparent portion of the first insulating layer is aligned with an active area of the light detector. The EMI shielding layer covers the first insulating layer. An optically transparent portion of the EMI shielding layer is aligned with the active area of the light detector. The second insulating layer covers the EMI shielding layer and the first insulating layer. An optically transparent portion of the second insulating layer is aligned with the active area of the at least one light detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically and mechanically coupling a connection portion of a sensor assembly with a connection portion of an interface cable is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having an EMI shielding material. The frame defines a first port operable to engage the connection portion of the sensor assembly and a second port operable to engage the connection portion of the interface cable. The frame includes attachment features operable to mechanically secure the connection portion of the sensor assembly and the connection portion of the interface cable relative to the frame. The frame is configured to provide a Faraday Cage around substantially all of the connection portion of the sensor assembly and the connection portion of the interface cable when the connection portions are in coupled configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for biological imaging comprising a probe comprising an emitter and a detector; a source circuit connected in operational communication to the emitter; a detector circuit connected in operational communication to the detector; a central processing unit connected to the source circuit and the detector circuit; a display operably connected to the central processing unit; and wherein the apparatus is capable of photoacoustic tomography and diffusive optical tomography and/or ultrasound tomography.

Abstract: An optical matrix protection system is described. Optical signals that are cross-connected by a N×N matrix switch are routed through alternative protection paths using an optical matrix protection system. The optical matrix protection system includes a N×1 optical switch and a 1×N optical switch. An input port of the 1×N optical switch is coupled to an output port of the N×1 optical switch. Input ports of the N×1 optical switch are connected to a plurality of 1×2 optical switches, which selectively switch input optical signals to either the N×N matrix switch or to the N×1 optical switch. Output ports of the 1×N optical switch are connected to a plurality of 2×1 optical switches, which selectively switch optical signals from either the N×N matrix switch or laid the 1×N optical switch to an output line.

Abstract: A reconfigurable multiwavelength network element includes a first demultiplexer unit for demultiplexing a first multiplexed optical signal from a first optical fiber into a first plurality of optical outputs; a second demultiplexer unit for demultiplexing a second multiplexed optical signal from a second optical fiber into a second plurality of optical outputs; a first multiplexer unit having first optical inputs for receiving signals to be multiplexed together; a second multiplexer unit having second optical inputs for receiving signals to be multiplexed together; and a cross-connect unit having first and second portions, the first portion directing signals received from at least a first one of the first plurality of optical outputs and a first one of the second plurality of optical outputs to a first one of the first optical inputs and a first one of the second optical inputs, the second portion directing signals received from at least a second one of the first plurality of optical outputs and a second one