Abstract: Methods and systems enabling the real-time monitoring of a light-induced procedure in a biological medium, and/or the acquisition of information related to this biological medium are provided. In some implementations, the light beam used for the procedure is modulated at a modulation frequency selected in view of the photoacoustic frequency response associated with the procedure. The photoacoustic feedback signal from the medium during the procedure is then monitored. This monitoring may involve filtering the photoacoustic feedback signal around the selected feedback modulation frequency. Ratiometric comparisons of the contribution of different frequencies to the photoacoustic feedback signal are also considered.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A surgical drilling system for determining proximity of a surgical drill bit to an artery during a drilling procedure, including an excitation and/or collection optical channel of a spectral absorption probe, wherein the excitation channel provides light configured for absorption by blood chromophores and the collection channel captures diffused back-scattered light modulated by said artery; a light detector; and a signal processor for determining a distance between the tissue and the probe based on said back-scattered light. A process for determining proximity of a surgical drill bit to an artery during a drilling procedure includes bringing said excitation light near the tissue including the artery; capturing diffused back-scattered light from said tissue; detecting said light modulated by said blood flow dynamics including an oscillating signal related to said periodic change; and processing said light and determining the proximity of the surgical drill bit to the artery.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source for generating low coherence excitation light, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises a low coherence interferometry sub-system and a digital signal processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods and systems enabling the real-time monitoring of a light-induced procedure in a biological medium, and/or the acquisition of information related to this biological medium are provided. In some implementations, the light beam used for the procedure is modulated at a modulation frequency selected in view of the photoacoustic frequency response associated with the procedure. The photoacoustic feedback signal from the medium during the procedure is then monitored. This monitoring may involve filtering the photoacoustic feedback signal around the selected feedback modulation frequency. Ratiometric comparisons of the contribution of different frequencies to the photoacoustic feedback signal are also considered.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises an interferometry sub-system and a processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber. The probe system comprises a light detector and a processor for determining a distance to the artery using the Beer-Lambert law of light absorption with a value for surrounding tissue attenuation coefficient (?eff). A probe system combining low coherence interferometry and spectral absorption is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object using light comprises providing a light source having a function of illuminating an environment. The light source is driven to emit light in a predetermined mode, with light in the predetermined mode being emitted such that the light source maintains said function of illuminating an environment. A reflection/backscatter of the emitted light is received from an object. The reflection/backscatter is filtered over a selected wavelength range as a function of a desired range of detection from the light source to obtain a light input. The presence or position of the object is identified with the desired range of detection as a function of the light input and of the predetermined mode.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object using light comprises providing a light source having a function of illuminating an environment. The light source is driven to emit light in a predetermined mode, with light in the predetermined mode being emitted such that the light source maintains said function of illuminating an environment. A reflection/backscatter of the emitted light is received from an object. The reflection/backscatter is filtered over a selected wavelength range as a function of a desired range of detection from the light source to obtain a light input. The presence or position of the object is identified with the desired range of detection as a function of the light input and of the predetermined mode.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object using visible light comprises providing a visible-light source having a function of illuminating an environment. The visible-light source is driven to emit visible light in a predetermined mode, with visible light in the predetermined mode being emitted such that the light source maintains said function of illuminating an environment. A reflection/backscatter of the emitted visible light is received from an object. The reflection/backscatter is filtered over a selected wavelength range as a function of a desired range of detection from the light source to obtain a light input. The presence or position of the object is identified with the desired range of detection as a function of the light input and of the predetermined mode.

Abstract: A low coherence interferometry probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer, comprising a low coherence light source, an excitation optical fiber to bring the low coherence excitation light near the tissue layer and a collection optical fiber for capturing back-scattered light from the tissue layer. The probe system comprises an interferometry sub-system and a processor for evaluating a distance to the tissue layer. There is also provided a spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to an artery, comprising a light source excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores, an excitation optical fiber and a collection optical fiber. The probe system comprises a light detector and a processor for determining a distance to the artery using the Beer-Lambert law of light absorption with a value for surrounding tissue attenuation coefficient (?eff). A probe system combining low coherence interferometry and spectral absorption is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-channel LED object detection system and a method for detecting an object are provided. The method includes providing and orienting a light source having a wide field-of-illumination to encompass the width of the environment; providing and orienting a detector having a wide field-of-view to encompass the width of the environment, the detector having a plurality of sub-detectors with individual narrow field-of-views, driving the LED source into emitting light to illuminate the width of the environment; receiving and acquiring an individual complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object at each sub-detector; converting the acquired individual complete trace into an individual digital signal; and detecting and identifying a presence of an object, a position of the object, a distance between the object and the LED source and/or a visibility, using the emitted light waveform and an individual digital signal.