Abstract: Optical probes having a diameter less than substantially 500 &mgr;m for use in scanning light from a long, highly flexible fiber to a sample. In one embodiment the probe includes a viscous damping fluid suitable to prevent non-uniform rotational distortion (NURD).

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring body fluid-related metrics using spectrophotometry to facilitate therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring body fluid balance. The specific body fluid-related metrics include the absolute volume fraction of water in the extravascular and intravascular tissue compartments, as well as the shifts of water between these two compartments. The absolute volume fraction of water is determined using algorithms where received radiation measured at two or more wavelengths are combined to form either a single ratio, a sum of ratios or ratio of ratios of the form log[R(&lgr;1)/R(&lgr;2)] in which the received radiation in the numerator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the received radiation in the denominator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the sum of the absorbances of non-heme proteins, lipids and water in tissue.

Abstract: A device and a method to provide a more reliable and accurate measurement of hematocrit (Hct) by noninvasive means. The changes in the intensities of light of multiple wavelengths transmitted through or reflected light from the tissue location are recorded immediately before and after occluding the flow of venous blood from the tissue location with an occlusion device positioned near the tissue location. As the venous return stops and the incoming arterial blood expands the blood vessels, the light intensities measured within a particular band of near-infrared wavelengths decrease in proportion to the volume of hemoglobin in the tissue location; those intensities measured within a separate band of wavelengths in which water absorbs respond to the difference between the water fractions within the blood and the displaced tissue volume. A mathematical algorithm applied to the time-varying intensities yields a quantitative estimate of the absolute concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring body fluid-related metrics using spectrophotometry to facilitate therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring body fluid balance. The specific body fluid-related metrics include the absolute volume fraction of water in the extravascular and intravascular tissue compartments, as well as the shifts of water between these two compartments. The absolute volume fraction of water is determined using algorithms where received radiation measured at two or more wavelengths are combined to form either a single ratio, a sum of ratios or ratio of ratios of the form log [R(&lgr;1)/R(&lgr;2)] in which the received radiation in the numerator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the received radiation in the denominator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the sum of the absorbances of non-heme proteins, lipids and water in tissue.

Abstract: A system for generating a source of broadband light includes, in one embodiment, a plurality of light sources such as SLEDs or edge-emitting luminescent diodes (ELEDs) whose outputs are combined in at least one combiner unit. The combiner unit combines light from a plurality of light sources into a single mode output beam. In one embodiment, the single mode output beam is the input beam to an interferometer for optical coherence tomography. In another embodiment, a time-gain compensation (TGC) unit is in communication with the plurality of light sources. The TGC unit controls the plurality of light sources independently and simultaneously. In one embodiment, control of the plurality of light sources by the TGC unit is in synchrony with the variation in optical delay in the reference arm of the interferometer. The TGC unit may feature, for example, a modulated current regulator.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe and a balloon catheter used in conjunction with optical imaging systems, in particular with systems which deliver and collect a single spatial mode beam, such as a single photon, a multiphoton, confocal imaging and ranging systems, such as fluorescence imaging systems.

Abstract: A device and a method to provide a more reliable and accurate measurement of hematocrit (Hct) by noninvasive means. The changes in the intensities of light of multiple wavelengths transmitted through or reflected light from the tissue location are recorded immediately before and after occluding the flow of venous blood from the tissue location with an occlusion device positioned near the tissue location. As the venous return stops and the incoming arterial blood expands the blood vessels, the light intensities measured within a particular band of near-infrared wavelengths decrease in proportion to the volume of hemoglobin in the tissue location; those intensities measured within a separate band of wavelengths in which water absorbs respond to the difference between the water fractions within the blood and the displaced tissue volume. A mathematical algorithm applied to the time-varying intensities yields a quantitative estimate of the absolute concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring body fluid-related metrics using spectrophotometry to facilitate therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring body fluid balance. The specific body fluid-related metrics include the absolute volume fraction of water in the extravascular and intravascular tissue compartments, as well as the shifts of water between these two compartments. The absolute volume fraction of water is determined using algorithms where received radiation measured at two or more wavelengths are combined to form either a single ratio, a sum of ratios or ratio of ratios of the form log [R(&lgr;1)/R(&lgr;2)] in which the received radiation in the numerator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the received radiation in the denominator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the sum of the absorbances of non-heme proteins, lipids and water in tissue.

Abstract: A system and method is described for generating broadband light from semiconductor light sources. In one embodiment a plurality of sources are combined in a combiner unit to provide a single output beam of light.

Abstract: Quaternized tertiary aminomethyl acrylamide polymer emulsions are treated by 1) adjusting the pH to about 3.6 to about 4.8, 2) adding a formaldehyde scavenger, 3) adjusting the water content of the aqueous phase to result in about 10-45 weight percent of quaternized aminomethylated acrylamide polymer and 4) heating the resultant emulsion at from about 40.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. for about 3 to about 20 hours so as to render them more stable, capable of inversion in water independent of water temperature or pH of the medium flocculant and superior dewatering ability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using frequency modulated diffusive photon-density waves propagating through a turbid medium such as tissue for detecting optical properties of objects and for imaging objects within the turbid medium. Frequency modulation enables real time differential measurement of the interaction of different colors with the object when the different colors are chosen such that they react the same with the medium but differently with the object. The method greatly simplifies optical imaging and increases the amount of information which may be obtained about the object.

Abstract: Compositions comprising microparticles of a cross-linkable, glyoxalated (meth)acrylamide containing, polymeric material are disclosed. They are prepared using inverse microemulsion polymerization techniques and are useful as wet- and dry-strength agents in paper production.

Abstract: Compositions comprising microparticles of a cross-linkable, glyoxalated (meth)acrylamide containing, polymeric material are disclosed. They are prepared using inverse mircoemulsion polymerization techniques and are useful as wet- and dry-strength agents in paper production.

Abstract: A non-invasive device which determines the pulp oxygenation level of a tooth and the vitality of a tooth using multiple-wavelength optical plethysmography. A sensor is shaped to be mounted on a tooth and circuitry for processing a signal from the sensor and supplied from a photosenstive diode is used. The photosensitive diode in the sensor detects light scattered from the tooth which was emitted from red, green, and infrared LEDs. An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is provided so as to produce improved detection reliability by synchronous averaging using the occurrence of the R-wave of the ECG as a time marker. Using this approach, a threshold-of-detection criterion can be established based on an average computed over a period to achieve a desired signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Functionalized polymer microparticles having particle diameters of from about 200 to about 4000.ANG. are prepared and are useful in facilitating a variety of flocculation and thickening of dispersions of suspended solids applications.

Abstract: Compositions comprising microparticles of a cross-linkable, glyoxalated (meth) acrylamide containing, polymeric material are disclosed. They are prepared using inverse microemulsion polymerization techniques and are useful as wet- and dry-strength agents in paper production.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile which contains small amounts of acrolein or other aldehydes may be purified by contacting the acrylonitrile with a compound containing at least one --B--H moiety.

Abstract: Acrylamide and related monomers are improved by incorporating therein an effective polymerization inhibitor in an amount greater than that which is inherently present in the monomer and a borane, i.e., sodium borohydride.

Abstract: There is provided a process for recovering oil from oil bearing formations employing the use of a water treating medium, which medium comprises the inclusion of a novel stable emulsion copolymer of acrylamide and ammonium acrylate as well as the emulsion copolymer per se.

Abstract: Grafted elastomers produced by a multiple grafting technique are blended with a resinous polymer to yield compositions which have low odor, low taste-transfer, and improved optical properties.