Abstract: A system for monitoring foetal growth. The system may include a plurality of devices. Each device of the plurality of devices may be configured to determine measurements of a baby bump over a time period, and may be further configured to store the measurements. The system may also include a server configured to receive the measurements from each of the plurality of devices. The server may be configured to compare the measurements from different devices of the plurality of devices. The system may be further configured to send an alert upon detecting an abnormality based on the measurements from the different devices of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: Provided is an optical probe, and a Raman spectroscopy system using such, including excitation and detection optics coupled to a sampling optics via a beam splitter, in confocal arrangement with a sample focal plane of the sampling optics. The detection optics is arranged to receive Raman signal from the sample focal plane and direct it onto a tip of a detection optical fiber. The optical probe may further include a positioning device mechanically coupled to the sampling optics and configured to control a position of the sample focal plane. In the Raman spectroscopy system a light source is coupled to the excitation optics via an excitation optical fiber, and a spectrometer is coupled to a detection optics via a detection optical fiber. Provided is further a method for measuring Raman signal depth profile in a sample, wherein sample's Raman spectra is measured and stored at different focal plane positions.

Abstract: An aspect relates to a placement device for placement in a medium, including: an elongated optical transmission guide to which a photoacoustic transducer is attached to, wherein the photoacoustic transducer may include a first surface facing away from the second end of the elongated optical transmission guide. The photoacoustic transducer may include a 3-Dimensional shape configured to produce an acoustic signal upon absorption of electromagnetic energy received from the elongated optical transmission guide, and an emission profile of the acoustic signal is based on the 3-Dimensional shape, when the photoacoustic transducer is immersed in homogeneous medium. The placement device may be integral to a medical or veterinary device. An aspect relates to a placement tracking system including the placement device and an ultrasound detector. An aspect relates to a method for tracking a portion of a placement device in a medium using the system.

Abstract: Provided is an optical probe, and a Raman spectroscopy system using such, including excitation and detection optics coupled to a sampling optics via a beam splitter, in confocal arrangement with a sample focal plane of the sampling optics. The detection optics is arranged to receive Raman signal from the sample focal plane and direct it onto a tip of a detection optical fiber. The optical probe may further include a positioning device mechanically coupled to the sampling optics and configured to control a position of the sample focal plane. In the Raman spectroscopy system a light source is coupled to the excitation optics via an excitation optical fiber, and a spectrometer is coupled to a detection optics via a detection optical fiber. Provided is further a method for measuring Raman signal depth profile in a sample, wherein sample's Raman spectra is measured and stored at different focal plane positions.

Abstract: A method of imaging living tissue is provided. The method includes introducing a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer into living tissue; and obtaining an image of the living tissue by photoacoustic imaging. Use of a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer in photoacoustic imaging is also provided.

Abstract: A method of imaging living tissue is provided. The method includes introducing a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer into living tissue; and obtaining an image of the living tissue by photoacoustic imaging. Use of a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer in photoacoustic imaging is also provided.