Abstract: A medical monitoring system in which information related to ischemia or an oxygenation to be determined is transmitted by a sending unit (167) using radiofrequency signals to a receiver (183), and the results are displayed on an external and remote monitor (313). The entire device may be encapsulated by a biocompatible shell (102) to permit implantation.

Abstract: An improved solid-state light source (103) for producing illuminating light (114) generated by interaction of light from an LED source (105) with a quantum dot, in one embodiment located in a well (117). A solid-state illuminator with integrated quantum dots advantageously allows for an efficient broadband or narrow band LED to be produced in a variety of specified colors and color temperatures, and allows for a more compact, less heat producing, and more energy efficient manufacturable illumination device, and further facilitates integration of the illuminator and detector into medical, industrial, and laboratory illuminators, microchips, or lab-on-chip devices or systems. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved solid-state light source (103) for producing illuminating light (114) generated by interaction of light from an LED source (105) with a quantum dot, in one embodiment located in a well (117). A solid-state illuminator with integrated quantum dots advantageously allows for an efficient broadband or narrow band LED to be produced in a variety of specified colors and color temperatures, and allows for a more compact, less heat producing, and more energy efficient manufacturable illumination device, and further facilitates integration of the illuminator and detector into medical, industrial, and laboratory illuminators, microchips, or lab-on-chip devices or systems. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved combination light source (103) comprises a combination of a solid-state white LED source (105) to illuminate a target with continuous, broadband illuminating light (114), and a second, additional light source, as an integrated system. While the white LED provides illumination, the second light source provides for medical, industrial, or laboratory analysis. A combination solid-state and second illuminator integrated with one or more detectors advantageously allows for a more compact, less heat producing, and more energy efficient manufacturable device, and further facilitates integration of the illuminator and detector into a device or system. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable ischemia detection system in which a white LED (105) produces a continuous, visible, broadband light illuminating a target site (125). Light backscattered by the target is collected by a sensor (155), allowing for an index of ischemia to be determined, and subsequently transmitted by a sending unit (167). Power is provided by an internal power source (179). The entire implantable device is encapsulated by a biocompatible shell (102) to add long-term safety with regard to implantation.

Abstract: An implantable ischemia detection system in which a white LED (105) produces a continuous, visible, broadband light illuminating a target site (125). Light backscattered by the target is collected by a sensor (155), allowing for an index of ischemia to be determined, and subsequently transmitted by a sending unit (167). Power is provided by an internal power source (179). The entire implantable device is encapsulated by a biocompatible shell (102) to add long-term safety with regard to implantation.

Abstract: A solid-state illuminator (103) for improved light delivery efficiency in general illumination in which a solid-state, broadband white LED light source (105) is coupled directly and advantageously to an integrated heat-sink or cooler (347) for thermal management. The integrated heat sink or cooler (347) is in thermal contact with the LED light source wires, bulb or lens, and may be placed prior to the light source end cap. The thermal management advantageously allows for more efficient and lower operating temperature at the LED light source, reducing the amount of power needed to produce a given amount of usable light, allowing delivered light intensity and/or light power density, and further facilitating integration of the illuminator and heat-sink or cooler (347) into a general illumination device or system. Methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved illuminator (103) for producing broadband light and delivering said light to a target (125) for measuring the color of the target which incorporates an integrated system comprising a solid-state white LED source (105) to illuminate the target with continuous, broadband illuminating light (114). After interaction with the sample, returning light (107) is either collected by a detector or a light collector such as fiber (141), or processed and analyzed by an analysis system such as color monitor (267), or both, creating a real-time integrated color sensor device or system that enables color detection, monitoring, identification, or analysis. A solid-state illuminator integrated with a color detector advantageously allows for a more compact, reduced heat producing, and more energy efficient manufacturable device, and further facilitates integration of the illuminator and detector into a microchip or lab-on-chip device or system. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ischemia detection system in two or more somatic measures, collected simultaneously or near-simultaneously, are provided for direct or computational comparison, in which light from light source A (103A) and source B (103B) is detected by a sensor (155), and a difference-weighted value is determined (167), thereby enhancing the value of the spectroscopic measurements over values taken individually and singly.

Abstract: An improved hybrid connector for rapidly, reliably, and reversibly making mixed optical and electrical connections has a male plug with one or more centrally located optical fibers centrally located inside an elongated shaft of a male plug, and one or more electrical contact elements are located on the peripheral surface of the shaft, and a socket with electrical contacts, and a floating optical connector. Insertion of the elongated shaft into the socket connects the electrical contacts of the shaft and socket and couples the fibers of the shaft with optical fibers in the floating optical connector.

Abstract: An improved medical illuminator (103) with memory chip (241). The memory element retains information useful in the operation of the illuminator, such as probe identification, probe serial number, use history, calibration details, or other information. Further, the illuminator with information chip can be incorporated into a medical probe or device, such as a pulse oximeter system or probe, as well as to be used in surgical devices or other equipment that require illumination. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: An improved hybrid connector for rapidly, reliably, and reversibly making mixed optical and electrical connections has a plug (103) with one or more centrally located fiber-containing optical ferrules (108) and one or more peripheral electrical contacts (109), and second, a socket (105) with interior electrical contacts (115) and a fiber-bearing central floating optical connector (225). Insertion and rotation of a shaft (107) of the plug into a bore (201) of the socket connects the respective electrical contacts of the shaft and socket, and nearly-simultaneously couples the respective optical fibers of the plug ferrule and socket connector, thus creating a rapid, reversible, and low-cost hybrid connection optimized for both the electrical and optical requirements of a mixed optical and electrical connection.

Abstract: An improved spectroscopy illuminator (103) for generating broadband light and for delivering the light to a sample with an improved delivery efficiency, for higher optical density and/or reduced thermal transfer uses a solid-state broadband white LED (107) to produce broadband light (114), which is then transmitted to a sample region (125), such as a living tissue or blood in vivo or a biological sample in a spectrophotometer target region. The solid-state source keeps both the illuminator and sample cool during operation, allowing the illuminator to be integrated into the tip of a medical probe, a medical system such as an oximeter, or other monitoring systems or devices making measurements based on light scattering, absorbance, fluorescence, phosphorescence, Raman effects, use of a contrast agent, or other known spectroscopy techniques. Systems incorporating the improved illuminator, and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in a pressurized pipeline system, in which a measurement is performed to determine the difference in the rate of change of pressure due to a leak between one pressure level and at least one other pressure level, after compensation has been made for thermally induced changes in the pressure.

Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in a pipeline system, wherein a measurement is performed to determine the difference in the rate of change of pressure due to a leak between one pressure level and at least one other pressure level, after compensation has been made for thermally induced changes in the pressure in a pressurized pipeline system, including the steps of pressurizing the pipeline system to a first pressure level, and measuring the changes in pressure in the pipeline system that occur over a first measurement period; and pressurizing the pipeline system to at least a second pressure level, and measuring the changes in pressure in the pipeline system that occur over at least a second measurement period.

Abstract: A method and improved apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized pipeline systems, which compensate for the thermally induced volume changes of the liquid in the line during a test that are produced by both the nonlinear changes in the mean temperature of the liquid and the pressure-induced perturbations of the temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: A method and improved apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized pipeline systems, which compensate for the thermally induced volume changes of the liquid in the line during a test that are produced by both the nonlinear changes in the mean temperature of the liquid and the pressure-induced perturbations of the temperature of the liquid.