Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting one or more properties of a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample are disclosed, where the diffusely scattering sample comprises surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) probes, the SERS probes being spectrally responsive to a stimulus. The stimulus is provided in a varying form at the sub-surface volume, and during the varying stimulus, probe light is directed to an entry region on a surface of the sample. A portion of the probe light is collected, including elements of said probe light Raman scattered from said SERS probes, at a collection region on the surface of the sample, the collection region being spaced from the entry region. The collected Raman scattered elements are then measured, and variations in the measured Raman scattered elements which are induced by the variations in the stimulus are detected. One or more properties may then be detected based on the detected variations in the measured Raman scattered elements.

Abstract: A probe comprising a body portion and a tip portion. The body portion comprises: a first mounting portion comprising a plurality of first carriers, each first carrier being arranged to support an elongate first waveguide, the first carriers being disposed in an equiangular arrangement around a longitudinal axis of the body portion; a plurality of first waveguides, each first waveguide being supported in a respective one of the plurality of first carriers; and a body end fitting at which first ends of the first waveguides are supported in the equiangular arrangement around the longitudinal axis of the body portion such that the first waveguides can transmit electromagnetic radiation signals from an energy source to the body end fitting and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation signals from the body end fitting to a receiver.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for measuring water content in tissue in-vivo, for example in sub-surface or sub-cutaneous tissue of a human or animal subject. The measurement may be made through diffusely scattering overlying tissue such as skin tissue, by: directing probe light to an entry region on a surface of the overlying tissue; collecting said probe light from a collection region on the surface of the overlying tissue, the collection region being spatially offset from the entry region, the collected probe light comprising probe light inelastically scattered into the Raman OH stretching bands by water present in the sub-surface tissue; detecting, in the collected probe light, one or more first spectral features of the probe light inelastically scattered into the Raman OH stretching bands; and measuring water content in the sub-surface tissue using the one or more first spectral features.

Abstract: A probe, such as a spectroscopic probe, for enabling a fluid or tissue sample to be tested in situ. The probe includes a conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, that can be inserted into a test subject and a wave coupling arranged to direct electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from an energy source to the sample and/or from the sample to a receiver for analysis. The receiver may comprise a Raman spectroscope. The probe may include a carriage that can be used to move at least some of the optical coupling towards and away from the insertion tip of the conduit. The probe may include a pressure modifier that can be used to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the conduit.

Abstract: We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

Abstract: A high-capacity miniature cartridge fuse is provided. A fuse includes a cylindrical housing, a fusible wire, and first and second deep-drawn ferrules fabricated from aluminum alloy. The aluminum is plated with nickel. The ferrule includes a side wall and an end wall. The side wall surrounds the first or second end of the housing, and has a thickness of approximately 0.50 mm or less. The end wall includes a boss extending toward an interior of the housing, and has a thickness greater than the thickness of the side wall.

Abstract: We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a clinical thermometer for non-invasive measurement of sub-cutaneous temperature of tissue of a human or animal subject. Probe light is collected from a collection region spatially offset from an entry region on a visible surface of the subject, following scattering within the tissue, and a temperature of the tissue is determined from Raman spectral features in the collected light.

Abstract: We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a clinical thermometer for non-invasive measurement of sub-cutaneous temperature of tissue of a human or animal subject. Probe light is collected from a collection region spatially offset from an entry region on a visible surface of the subject, following scattering within the tissue, and a temperature of the tissue is determined from Raman spectral features in the collected light.

Abstract: A high-capacity miniature cartridge fuse is provided. A fuse includes a cylindrical housing, a fusible wire, and first and second deep-drawn ferrules fabricated from aluminum alloy. The aluminum is plated with nickel. The ferrule includes a side wall and an end wall. The side wall surrounds the first or second end of the housing, and has a thickness of approximately 0.50 mm or less. The end wall includes a boss extending toward an interior of the housing, and has a thickness greater than the thickness of the side wall.

Abstract: A probe, such as a spectroscopic probe, for enabling a fluid or tissue sample to be tested in situ. The probe includes a conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, that can be inserted into a test subject and a wave coupling arranged to direct electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from an energy source to the sample and/or from the sample to a receiver for analysis. The receiver may comprise a Raman spectroscope. The probe may include a carriage that can be used to move at least some of the optical coupling towards and away from the insertion tip of the conduit. The probe may include a pressure modifier that can be used to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the conduit.

Abstract: A probe (10) comprising a body portion (70) and a tip portion (80). The body portion comprises: a first mounting portion (72) comprising a plurality of first carriers supporting elongate first waveguides, and disposed in an equiangular arrangement around a longitudinal axis (A) of the body portion; a body end fitting (74) at which first ends of the first waveguides are supported such that the first waveguides can transmit electromagnetic radiation signals from an energy source to the body end fitting and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation signals from the body end fitting to a receiver.

Abstract: We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a clinical thermometer for non-invasive measurement of sub-cutaneous temperature of tissue of a human or animal subject. Probe light is collected from a collection region spatially offset from an entry region on a visible surface of the subject, following scattering within the tissue, and a temperature of the tissue is determined from Raman spectral features in the collected light.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first sub-assembly having an input lens for collimating illuminating light and having an optical axis. The first sub-assembly also has an output lens for focusing collimated light received from a sample, the output lens having an optical axis which is offset and substantially parallel with the optical axis of the input lens, and further includes a first support piece which houses and supports the input lens and the output lens. The optical device also includes a second sub-assembly having an input filter for filtering the collimated illuminating light, an output filter for filtering the collimated light received from the sample, and a second support piece which houses and supports the input filter and the output filter. The first and second support pieces are joined together by a liquid-tight joint.

Abstract: A probe, such as a spectroscopic probe, for enabling a fluid or tissue sample to be tested in situ. The probe includes a conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, that can be inserted into a test subject and a wave coupling arranged to direct electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from an energy source to the sample and/or from the sample to a receiver for analysis. The receiver may comprise a Raman spectroscope. The probe may include a carriage that can be used to move at least some of the optical coupling towards and away from the insertion tip of the conduit. The probe may include a pressure modifier that can be used to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the conduit.

Abstract: A probe, such as a spectroscopic probe, for enabling a fluid or tissue sample to be tested in situ. The probe includes a conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, that can be inserted into a test subject and a wave coupling arranged to direct electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from an energy source to the sample and/or from the sample to a receiver for analysis. The receiver may comprise a Raman spectroscope. The probe may include a carriage that can be used to move at least some of the optical coupling towards and away from the insertion tip of the conduit. The probe may include a pressure modifier that can be used to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the conduit.

Abstract: Non invasive in-vivo measurement of composition of a tissue within a part of a human or animal subject is carried out by detecting a Raman spectral characteristic in light scattered through the part using a transmission, rather than a backscattering geometry. The technique is applied to the detection of calcifications in human breast tissues.

Abstract: Non invasive in-vivo measurement of composition of a tissue within a part of a human or animal subject is carried out by detecting a Raman spectral characteristic in light scattered through the part using a transmission, rather than a backscattering geometry. The technique is applied to the detection of calcifications in human breast tissues.