Abstract: An acoustic microscope system is described that includes a container for holding a medium with an object to be measured. Compressional waves are generated by a probe into the medium. The compressional waves travel along an acoustic axis to interact with the object. Shear waves are generated by a shear wave source into the medium. The shear waves travel along a secondary axis which intersects with the acoustic axis at the object with a non-zero angle. The shear waves are configured to cause shear wave oscillations directed transverse to the secondary axis and at least partially directed along the acoustic axis. A measurement of the object is determined based on the compressional waves having interacted with the object as a function of the generation of the shear waves.

Abstract: A method and system are proposed for imaging the retinal structure of an eye. A light source is provided and a repetitive pattern is projected on the retina by said hght source having illuminated and non-illuminated portions with a spatial frequency larger than 0.5 mm-1. For the illuminated and non-illuminated portions a fluorescence level is measured; and a fluorescence level is derived as a corrected value for illuminated and non-illuminated areas.

Abstract: An opthalmoscope and method for imaging a retina (R), A light pattern (Ri) of source light (Li) is projected onto a retinal focal plane (Pr) coinciding with the retina (R), Light is measured from the retinal focal plane (Pr) resulting from the source light (Li) of the respective light pattern (Ri) interacting with the retina (R). The illumination system is configured to project at least one ring shaped pattern of respective source light (Li) onto the retinal focal plane (Pr). The measurement system is configured to measure scattered light from the retinal focal plane (Pr)resulting from scattering of the at least one ring shaped pattern of respective source light via the retina (R). The scattered light is measured from a central spot at a center of the ring shaped pattern on the retinal focal plane (Pr).

Abstract: Methods and instruments for measuring a liquid sample (S1) in a well plate (50) by means of an optical chip 10. The chip (10) comprises an optical sensor (13) that is accessible to the liquid sample (S1) at a sampling area (SA) of the chip. A free-space optical coupler (11,12) is accessible to receive input light (L1) and/or emit output light (L2) via a coupling area (CA) of the chip (10). The sampling area (SA) of the chip 10 is submerged in the liquid sample (S1) while keeping the liquid sample (S1) away from the coupling area (CA) for interrogating the optical coupler (11,12) via an optical path (P) that does not pass through the liquid sample (S1).

Abstract: Methods and instruments for measuring a liquid sample (S1) in a well plate (50) by means of an optical chip 10. The chip (10) comprises an optical sensor (13) that is accessible to the liquid sample (S1) at a sampling area (SA) of the chip. A free-space optical coupler (11,12) is accessible to receive input light (L1) and/or emit output light (L2) via a coupling area (CA) of the chip (10). The sampling area (SA) of the chip 10 is submerged in the liquid sample (S1) while keeping the liquid sample (S1) away from the coupling area (CA) for interrogating the optical coupler (11,12) via an optical path (P) that does not pass through the liquid sample (S1).

Abstract: A method and system are proposed for imaging the retinal structure of an eye. A light source is provided and a repetitive pattern is projected on the retina by said hght source having illuminated and non-illuminated portions with a spatial frequency larger than 0.5 mm-1. For the illuminated and non-illuminated portions a fluorescence level is measured; and a fluorescence level is derived as a corrected value for illuminated and non-illuminated areas.

Abstract: An optical sensor interrogation system can have a light source arranged for emitting light; a first optical arrangement arranged for intercepting the light and to forward the light to an optical sensor and to receive light therefrom. The wavelength reference is adapted to provide a reference wavelength. The system can further have a second optical arrangement adapted to receive reflected light from the optical sensor, a lens system for transferring the light into a beam and a scanning assembly including a scanning unit and/or a diffractive optical element. The system can still further have a detector for receiving optical response from the scanning assembly and a data processing system. A method is used to manufacture an optical sensor interrogation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absolute position measuring device, comprising an optical fiber, an optical strain sensor in optical communication with the optical fiber, and a volume of material deforming under influence of a magnetic field. The optical strain sensor is arranged for sensing deformation of the volume of material. Further, the device is arranged for multi-dimensional position measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument, preferably for minimally invasive surgery, comprising a frame (27) having a proximal end and a distal end, a first working element (4) having a first origin located at the distal end and a second working element (5) having a second origin and being arranged at the distal end cooperating with the first working element, a force sensor for measuring a force exerted on at least one of the said the first and the second working elements, wherein the distal end of the frame comprises an opening (23) between the first origin and the second origin, the force sensor being arranged on the frame in a vicinity of the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absolute position measuring device, comprising an optical fiber, an optical strain sensor in optical communication with the optical fiber, and a volume of material deforming under influence of a magnetic field. The optical strain sensor is arranged for sensing deformation of the volume of material. Further, the device is arranged for multi-dimensional position measurement.

Abstract: A system for inspection of a three-dimensional environment by a user may include a tool arranged to be introduced in a vicinity of the three-dimensional environment, the tool including one or more cameras arranged at or near a distal end of the tool, the one or more cameras arranged to generate respective images of the three-dimensional environment; a display unit arranged to receive said respective images; and a motion tracking system arranged to determine a position of at least a portion of the user for selecting an image generated by the cameras or for causing the one or more cameras to generate the image on demand and for displaying the image on the display. A method, a tool, and a display unit for enabling inspection of an object by a user, as well as use of a tool, may include at least one camera in the system as set forth in the foregoing.

Abstract: An optical sensor interrogation system can have a light source arranged for emitting light; a first optical arrangement arranged for intercepting the light and to forward the light to an optical sensor and to receive light therefrom. The wavelength reference is adapted to provide a reference wavelength. The system can further have a second optical arrangement adapted to receive reflected light from the optical sensor, a lens system for transferring the light into a beam and a scanning assembly including a scanning unit and/or a diffractive optical element. The system can still further have a detector for receiving optical response from the scanning assembly and a data processing system. A method is used to manufacture an optical sensor interrogation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for inspection of a three-dimensional environment by a user, comprising a tool (3) arranged to be introduced in a vicinity of the three-dimensional environment (1), said tool comprising one or more cameras (4) arranged at or near a distal end of the tool, said one or more cameras being arranged to generate respective images of the three-dimensional environment; a display unit (8) arranged to receive said respective images; a motion tracking system (11) arranged to determine a position of at least a portion of the user for selecting an image generated by said cameras or for causing the one or more cameras to generate the image on demand and for displaying the image (9) on the display (8). The invention further relates to a method, a tool, a display unit for enabling inspection of an object by a user as well as to use of a tool comprising at least one camera in the system as set forth in the foregoing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument, preferably for minimally invasive surgery, comprising a frame (27) having a proximal end and a distal end, a first working element (4) having a first origin located at the distal end and a second working element (5) having a second origin and being arranged at the distal end cooperating with the first working element, a force sensor for measuring a force exerted on at least one of the said the first and the second working elements, wherein the distal end of the frame comprises an opening (23) between the first origin and the second origin, the force sensor being arranged on the frame in a vicinity of the opening.

Abstract: A method for separating a lump piece of rosette plants. The method includes the steps of gripping a rosette plant and positioning it parallel to a longitudinal axis of an elongated holder which has a longitudinal opening at least along the longitudinal axis; introducing a part of the lump piece of the rosette plant into the holder via the mentioned longitudinal opening; cutting off the lump piece along a cutting plane parallel to the longitudinal axis, while closing the longitudinal opening, such that the introduced part of the lump piece is enclosed in the holder; and removing the enclosed cut-off part of the lump piece from the holder. The method includes the further step of cutting off a part of the rosette plant enclosed in the holder along a second cutting plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device of inspecting contamination particles on an object comprising a patterned structure. The device includes a radiation system for directing a radiation beam to the object. The object is configured to scatter the beam. The device also includes an optical system arranged to receive scattered radiation from the object, and a filter provided in the optical system. The filter is associated with the patterned structure so as to filter out radiation from the scattered radiation. The device also includes a detector arranged to detect a fraction of radiation that is transmitted by the filter. Accordingly, contamination particles may be detected quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A flexible band is tensioned between fingers, capable of gripping together, of a gripper. In the bunching of plant stems, the band is held in an opening between fingers of the gripper behind a pair of rollers. The plant stems are carried along between the pair of rollers and received in the flexible band. After a bunch has thus been gathered, the ends of the fingers are brought towards each other, and the stems in the gripper are moved away from the rollers. Subsequently, the stems are tied together.

Abstract: A flexible band is tensioned between fingers, capable of gripping together, of a gripper. In the bunching of plant stems, the band is held in an opening between fingers of the gripper behind a pair of rollers. The plant stems are carried along between the pair of rollers and received in the flexible band. After a bunch has thus been gathered, the ends of the fingers are brought towards each other, and the stems in the gripper are moved away from the rollers. Subsequently, the stems are tied together.