Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improved imaging of internal tissue structures, such as lesions in the peritoneum, are disclosed employing Differentially Polarized Light (DPL) imaging. The optical system can include a laparoscope having at least one optical illumination waveguide for directing illuminating radiation and an optical collection waveguide having an aperture for collecting and transmitting radiation backscattered from a tissue region to a detector. The system further can include a polarizer for polarizing the illuminating radiation and a second analyzing polarizer disposed in the optical return path, whereby backscattered radiation of differing polarizations can be passed to the detector. End cap assemblies are also disclosed that that can be fitted to conventional laparoscopes, e.g., by a threaded connection or the like, to facilitate DPL imaging by polarizing the illuminating light of the laparoscope. For example, the end cap can include a polarizing film within a stainless steel housing.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention generally provides methods for characterizing mineralization of a material, e.g., a biomaterial, by illuminating the material with radiation and analyzing radiation scattered from the material in response to the illumination. For example, in some embodiments, a material can be illuminated with polarized radiation at a plurality of wavelengths and the elastically scattered radiation corresponding to two or more of those wavelengths can be collected at two polarizations: one parallel and the other perpendicular to the illumination polarization. A differential intensity of the scattered radiation at the two polarizations can be analyzed as a function of wavelength to obtain information regarding the morphology of mineral deposits in the sample. Further, the total scattered radiation can be analyzed to derive information regarding the level of mineralization.

Abstract: A system includes a skip, a first sensor and a conveying section. The skip includes a hollow interior to store solids therein. The skip further includes an inlet and an outlet. The first sensor is located adjacent the inlet to indicate that the interior is filled with solids up to a predetermined level. The conveying section is located downstream of the outlet and is in solids communication with the interior. After the first sensor indicates that the interior is filled with solids up to the predetermined level, the conveying section conveys solids away from the skip and the skip is emptied. A method of using the aforementioned system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame fittable to a human wearer's face. The frame has therein at least one lens in a field of view of the human wearer. The at least one lens includes a computer display functionally associated therewith. A computing system is embedded in a part of the frame. The computing system and the computer display are embedded so as to be hermetically sealed in the part of the frame and the at least one lens, respectively.

Abstract: A method includes scanning an interior of a tank to obtain a tank rendering. Based on the tank rendering, a minimum number of tank cleaning machines and a corresponding position for each of the tank cleaning machines is determined such that substantially all of the interior of the tank is reachable by the tank cleaning machines.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention relates to using spectroscopy, for example, Raman spectroscopic methods for diagnosis of tissue conditions such as vascular disease or cancer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for measuring tissue includes a fiber optic probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter of 2 mm or less. This small diameter allows the system to be used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other small lumens or soft tissue with minimal trauma. A delivery optical fiber is included in the probe coupled at the proximal end to a light source. A filter for the delivery fibers is included at the distal end. The system includes a collection optical fiber (or fibers) in the probe that collects Raman scattered radiation from tissue, the collection optical fiber is coupled at the proximal end to a detector. A second filter is disposed at the distal end of the collection fibers.

Abstract: A system may include a tank storing slop water and an in-line mixing device in communication with the tank to contact a stream of slop water from the tank, an emulsion breaker. The system may further include an emulsion breaker source to inject emulsion breaker into the stream of slop water; and a two-phase separator in communication with the in-line mixing device, the separator to separate the slop water into a mud phase and a water phase.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a reactor, the method including circulating a fluid inside the reactor, pumping the fluid from the reactor into an inlet of a tank cleaner, and removing solids from the fluid to produce a clean fluid. The method further includes transferring the clean fluid to the reactor and transferring pneumatically the removed solids to a pressurized vessel. Also, a method for transferring spent granular material, the method including providing a vacuum system disposed at a hydrocarbon production site to remove spent material from a reactor, transferring the spent material through the vacuum system into a pressurized vessel, and conveying pneumatically the spent material from the pressurized vessel to a second pressurized vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Raman spectroscopy for quantitative, non-invasive transcutaneous measurement of blood analytes, such as glucose. Raman spectroscopy is used to measure glucose transcutaneously, in patients whose blood glucose levels were monitored. Raman spectra were collected transcutaneously along with glucose reference values provided by standard capillary blood analysis. A partial least squares calibration was created from the data from each subject and validated using leave-one-out cross validation.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to imaging methods and apparatus that employ angular and/or wavelength distribution of light backscattered from multiple portions of a sample in response to illumination by electromagnetic radiation to generate one, two or three dimensional images of the sample. In many embodiments, confocal imaging can be employed to detect the backscattered radiation, e.g., to measure spectral signals of layered samples (such as biological samples) through optical sectioning. The methods of the invention can be applied to a variety of samples including, without limitation, biological and non-biological samples, organic and inorganic samples, to obtain information, e.g., regarding morphological, compositional, and/or structural variations among different portions of the sample. By way of example, in some applications the methods of invention can be employed to obtain light scattering signals from cells or tissues buried under the skin.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a reactor, the method including circulating a fluid inside the reactor, pumping the fluid from the reactor into an inlet of a tank cleaner, and removing solids from the fluid to produce a clean fluid. The method further includes transferring the clean fluid to the reactor and transferring pneumatically the removed solids to a pressurized vessel. Also, a method for transferring spent granular material, the method including providing a vacuum system disposed at a hydrocarbon production site to remove spent material from a reactor, transferring the spent material through the vacuum system into a pressurized vessel, and conveying pneumatically the spent material from the pressurized vessel to a second pressurized vessel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention generally provides methods for characterizing mineralization of a material, e.g., a biomaterial, by illuminating the material with radiation and analyzing radiation scattered from the material in response to the illumination. For example, in some embodiments, a material can be illuminated with polarized radiation at a plurality of wavelengths and the elastically scattered radiation corresponding to two or more of those wavelengths can be collected at two polarizations: one parallel and the other perpendicular to the illumination polarization. A differential intensity of the scattered radiation at the two polarizations can be analyzed as a function of wavelength to obtain information regarding the morphology of mineral deposits in the sample. Further, the total scattered radiation can be analyzed to derive information regarding the level of mineralization.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products for analyzing tissue are provided. The tissue is exposed to light at the appropriate wavelengths for inducing fluorescence. Images of the fluorescing tissue are taken at two or more depths within the tissue. The PSD function is determined for each image at a different depth within the tissue. A characteristic of each PSD function determined is compared, and it is determined whether or not the tissue exhibits a pre-cancerous characteristic.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention relates to using spectroscopy, for example, Raman spectroscopic methods for diagnosis of tissue conditions such as vascular disease or cancer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for measuring tissue includes a fiber optic probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter of 2 mm or less. This small diameter allows the system to be used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other small lumens or soft tissue with minimal trauma. A delivery optical fiber is included in the probe coupled at the proximal end to a light source. A filter for the delivery fibers is included at the distal end. The system includes a collection optical fiber (or fibers) in the probe that collects Raman scattered radiation from tissue, the collection optical fiber is coupled at the proximal end to a detector. A second filter is disposed at the distal end of the collection fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Raman spectroscopy for quantitative, non-invasive transcutaneous measurement of blood analytes, such as glucose. Raman spectroscopy is used to measure glucose transcutaneously, in patients whose blood glucose levels were monitored. Raman spectra were collected transcutaneously along with glucose reference values provided by standard capillary blood analysis. A partial least squares calibration was created from the data from each subject and validated using leave-one-out cross validation.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention relates to using spectroscopy, for example, Raman spectroscopic methods for diagnosis of tissue conditions such as vascular disease or cancer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for measuring tissue includes a fiber optic probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter of 2 mm or less. This small diameter allows the system to be used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other small lumens or soft tissue with minimal trauma. A delivery optical fiber is included in the probe coupled at the proximal end to a light source. A filter for the delivery fibers is included at the distal end. The system includes a collection optical fiber (or fibers) in the probe that collects Raman scattered radiation from tissue, the collection optical fiber is coupled at the proximal end to a detector. A second filter is disposed at the distal end of the collection fibers.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention relates to using spectroscopy, for example, Raman spectroscopic methods for diagnosis of tissue conditions such as vascular disease or cancer. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for measuring tissue includes a fiber optic probe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter of 2 mm or less. This small diameter allows the system to be used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease or other small lumens or soft tissue with minimal trauma. A delivery optical fiber is included in the probe coupled at the proximal end to a light source. A filter for the delivery fibers is included at the distal end. The system includes a collection optical fiber (or fibers) in the probe that collects Raman scattered radiation from tissue, the collection optical fiber is coupled at the proximal end to a detector. A second filter is disposed at the distal end of the collection fibers.