Abstract: A system and method for detecting dynamic changes that occur in a sample between a first time interval and a second time interval using a series of at least first and second sequential chemical images of the sample. During the first time interval: (i) the sample is illuminated with a plurality of photons to thereby produce photons scattered or emitted by the sample; (ii) a two-dimensional array of detection elements is used to simultaneously detect scattered or emitted photons in a first predetermined wavelength band from different locations on or within the sample; and (iii) the two-dimensional array of detection elements is thereafter used one or more further times to simultaneously detect scattered or emitted photons in one or more further predetermined wavelength band(s) from different locations on or within the sample. The outputs of the two-dimensional array of detection elements during the first time interval are then combined to generate the first chemical image of the sample.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for assessing occurrence of one or more hazardous agents in a sample by performing multipoint spectral analysis of the sample using a portable or hand-held device. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy and other spectrophotometric methods are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such multipoint methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the progress of a disease. A pre-determined vector space is determined where the vector space mathematically describes a reference set of wavelength resolved data at a plurality of time intervals. A sample containing at least one cell is irradiated with light. Target data is collected where the target data corresponds to at least one of light emitted from or scattered by the sample and includes a plurality of spatially accurate wavelength resolved measurements of light. The target data is transformed into the pre-determined vector space for each spatially accurate wavelength resolved measurement of light. A distribution of transformed points is analyzed in the plurality of pre-determined vector space. Based on the analysis, a transition of a disease condition of the sample is classified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging biological objects. A SERS surface is provided having enhancing structures uniformly distributed on the surface. The surface includes a two dimensional area of at least 5×105 nm. The enhancing structures may have a size, in at least one dimension of height, width and length, ranging from 100 nm to 1000 nm. A biological material is deposited on the SERS surface. The biological material on the SERS surface is illuminated using a monochromatic light source producing Raman scattered photons. The Raman scattered photons are filtered using a tunable filter into a plurality of predetermined wavelength bands. A two-dimensional array detector detects the filtered Raman scattered photons, in a spatially accurate manner. The results of filtering and detecting steps are combined to produce a plurality of spectrally resolved Raman images of the biological material.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a portable system having a fiber array spectral translator (“FAST”) for obtaining a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample having a first and a second spatial dimension that can be used for the detection of hazardous agents by irradiating a sample with light, forming an image of all or part of the sample using Raman shifted light from the sample, and analyzing the Raman shifted light for patterns characteristic of one or more hazardous agents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a portable system for obtaining a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample having a first and a second spatial dimension that can be used for the detection of hazardous agents by irradiating a sample with light, forming an image of all or part of the sample using Raman shifted light from the sample, and analyzing the Raman shifted light for patterns characteristic of one or more hazardous agents.

Abstract: A method for measuring spatial and spectral information from a sample using computed tomography imaging spectroscopy. An area of the sample is illuminated using an illumination source having substantially monochromatic light. Raman scattered light is directed from said illuminated area of said sample onto a two dimensional grating disperser. Light output, from the two dimensional grating disperser, is directed onto a detector that detects a dispersed image. The dispersed image from the detector is applied to a processing algorithm that generates a plurality of spatially accurate, wavelength resolved images of the sample.

Abstract: A method and system to differentiate a tissue margins during various medical procedures. A region containing a biological tissue is irradiated, with a substantially monochromatic light. Raman spectroscopic data is obtained from the irradiated region. A boundary between a neoplastic portion and a non-neoplastic portion, in the region containing the biological tissue, is differentiated by evaluating the Raman spectroscopic data for at least one Raman spectroscopic value characteristic of either the neoplastic portion or the non-neoplastic portion. The neoplastic portion is selected for physical manipulation based on the differentiation of the boundary between the neoplastic portion and the non-neoplastic portion.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting dynamic changes that occur in a sample between a first time interval and a second time interval using a series of at least first and second sequential chemical images of the sample. During the first time interval: (i) the sample is illuminated with a plurality of photons to thereby produce photons scattered or emitted by the sample; (ii) a two-dimensional array of detection elements is used to simultaneously detect scattered or emitted photons in a first predetermined wavelength band from different locations on or within the sample; and (iii) the two-dimensional array of detection elements is thereafter used one or more further times to simultaneously detect scattered or emitted photons in one or more further predetermined wavelength band(s) from different locations on or within the sample. The outputs of the two-dimensional array of detection elements during the first time interval are then combined to generate the first chemical image of the sample.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for determining illumination parameters for a stained sample, the method may include providing a stained sample and obtaining an absorption band of the sample; obtaining an emission band of the sample and determining the illumination parameters for the sample as a function of the absorption band and the emission band of the sample.

Abstract: Raman scattering of radiation applied to a water sample is used to assess occurrence of a pathogen in the sample. The method is useful for detecting pathogens that are difficult to detect using other methods, such as protozoa. Examples of organisms that can be detected in water samples using these methods include protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium and the genus Giardia. The methods described herein have important applications, such as for detection of Cryptosporidium organisms in municipal water systems.

Abstract: Pathogenic microorganisms are detected and classified by spectral imaging of the Raman light scattered by the organisms.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to Method and Apparatus for Super Montage Large area Spectroscopic Imaging. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a method for producing a spectroscopic image of an object includes the steps of (a) irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object scattered and/or emitted light for each of a plurality of wavelengths; (b) producing separately for each of the plurality of wavelengths a plurality of substantially contiguous sub-images of the object; (c) compensating for spatial aberrations in ones of the sub-images for a select one of the plurality of wavelengths; (d) compensating for intensity aberrations between ones of the substantially contiguous sub-images for one of the plurality of wavelengths; and (e) combining the sub-images for the select one wavelength to thereby produce said spectroscopic image of the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment the disclosure relates to a method and a system for determining the corrected wavelength of a photon scattered by a sample. The method includes the steps of determining a wavelength of a photon scattered from a sample exposed to illuminating photons and passed through a tunable filter and correcting the determined wavelength of the photon as a function of the temperature of the tunable filter and as a function of the bandpass set point of the tunable filter. The step of correcting the determined wavelength can further include determining an offset and adding the offset to the determined wavelength of the photon.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to identifying and removing background noise in spectroscopic imaging of a sample. Because white-light has essentially constant intensity at every wavelength, background noise caused by white light can be identified and removed from spectroscopic measurements including Raman spectroscopy. Thus, once the Raman spectrum for a sample is obtained, it may be corrected to remove the white-light dispersive spectrum in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting dynamic changes that occur in a sample between a first time interval and a second time interval using a series of at least first and second sequential chemical images of the sample. During the first time interval: (i) the sample is illuminated with a plurality of photons to thereby produce photons scattered or emitted by the sample; (ii) a two-dimensional array of detection elements is used to simultaneously detect scattered or emitted photons in a first predetermined wavelength band from different locations on or within the sample; and (iii) the two-dimensional array of detection elements is thereafter used one or more further times to simultaneously detect scattered or emitted photons in one or more further predetermined wavelength band(s) from different locations on or within the sample. The outputs of the two-dimensional array of detection elements during the first time interval are then combined to generate the first chemical image of the sample.

Abstract: Raman molecular imaging is used to differentiate between normal and diseased cells or tissue. For instance benign and malignant lesions of bladder and other tissues can be distinguished, including epithelial tissues such as lung, prostate, kidney, breast, and colon, and non-epithelial tissues, such as bone marrow and brain. Raman scattering data relevant to the disease state of cells or tissue can be combined with visual image data to produce hybrid images which depict both a magnified view of the cellular structures and information relating to the disease state of the individual cells in the field of view.

Abstract: Raman molecular imaging is used to differentiate between normal tissue and benign and malignant lesions of bladder and other tissues, including epithelial tissues such as lung, prostate, kidney, breast, and colon, and non-epithelial tissues, such as bone marrow and brain. Raman scattering data relevant to the cancerous state of cells can be combined with visual image data to produce hybrid images which depict both a magnified view of the cellular structures and information relating to the cancerous state of the individual cells in the field of view.

Abstract: Pathogenic microorganisms are detected in a wide field of view and classified by Raman light scattered light from these organisms together with digital pattern recognition of their spectral patterns.

Abstract: A display enhancement device for a portable electronic device having a visual display, such as a cellular telephone, is provided. A magnifying lens, such as a Fresnel-type lens, is suspended above the device display by a positioning arm. The positioning arm is attached to the lens at one end, and to the device at the other end. The arm can be attached to the device and/or lens by means such as a suction cup or a mounting plate. One or more rotatable attachment mechanisms can be used to facilitate adjustment of the positioning arm and/or lens.