Abstract: A motion insensitive pulse detector for detecting a patient's pulse includes an exciter adapted to be positioned over a blood vessel of the patient and configured to induce a transmitted exciter waveform into the patient. A noninvasive sensor is adapted to be positioned over the blood vessel and configured to sense a hemoparameter and to generate a noninvasive sensor signal representative of the hemoparameter containing a component of a received exciter waveform. A processor is coupled to the noninvasive sensor and configured to process the noninvasive sensor signal to determine the patient's pulse. Advantages of the invention include the ability to detect a patient's pulse even when the patient is moving or being moved by medical personnel.

Abstract: A monitor for activating a sphygmomanometer attached to a patient includes a sensor attached to the patient to generate a sensor signal representative of a physiological parameter. This sensor can be, for example, a noninvasive sensor that generates a signal responsive to blood pressure. The monitor also has a processor coupled to the sensor and to the sphygmomanometer. The processor is configured to process the sensor signal and to send a signal to activate the sphygmomanometer when the sensor signal meets predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A monitor for continuously determining a patient's physiological parameter includes a means for obtaining a periodic calibration measurement of the patient's physiological parameter. An exciter, positioned over an artery of the patient induces an exciter waveform into the patient's arterial blood. A noninvasive sensor, positioned over the artery, senses a hemoparameter and provides a noninvasive sensor signal output representative of the hemoparameter. A processor receives the calibration measurement and noninvasive sensor signal output. The processor determines a DC offset based on the calibration measurement and processes the noninvasive sensor signal to continuously determine the patient's physiological parameter. A method includes steps for performing the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence of an analyte in a medium or the composition of a medium wherein a volume of material is irradiated with temporally-modulated electromagnetic energy at multiple wavelengths. The electromagnetic radiation is detected after it has traversed a portion of the material. Representation signals related to the degree of absorption of electromagnetic energy at various wavelengths in the material and signals related to the path lengths travelled by the electromagnetic radiation in the material are generated, and signals representative of the optical absorption per unit path length at various wavelengths in the medium are derived. The derived wavelength dependence of the optical absorption per unit path length is compared with a calibration model, and the comparison is analyzed to derive concentrations of specific chemical species within the material and the presence of an analyte or composition of the medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining the presence and/or concentration of chemical species which absorb electromagnetic energy, dependent to a degree upon the chemical species and the wavelength of electromagnetic energy applied to matter including said species. The absorbed electromagnetic energy generates acoustic energy which is detected and analyzed to determine the presence and/or concentration of the chemical species in the matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing damage to an optical fiber used as part of a laser radiation delivery system are disclosed. The apparatus includes the use of a spacer positioned adjacent the tip of the fiber to minimize the impact on the fiber tip of debris and vapor generated by exposure of a tissue target to high energy radiation. The end of the apparatus is configured to vent debris and vapor from the end of the tip to reduce damage. The fiber tip may also be annealed to enhance its resistance to damage. The method includes the step of spacing the fiber tip at a predetermined distance from the tissue target during exposure of the tissue target to laser radiation, and may include venting the debris created away from the fiber end. The method may further include the step of providing an annealed fiber tip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the depth of excision generated by a material removal process, for determining the thickness of unablated material below the excision or incision, and for providing endpoint control of a material removal process utilize acoustic transducers for measuring the time delay between a first acoustic pulse resulting from material removal and a second acoustic pulse reflected from a distal surface or boundary layer of the material. The time delay between the two pulses detected by the transducer provides a measure of excision depth and of the depth of material below the excision. Endpoint control is provided by terminating material removal when a selected excision depth is detected. The invention can be used, for example, as a real-time monitor of excision depth and residual lamella thickness under the excision during laser corneal surgery.

Abstract: Laser-to-waveguide coupling devices and methods are disclosed employing an aperture, and an imaging lens. The aperture clips the beam edges to flatten the spatial intensity profile, and the lens mirror-images the plane of the aperture onto the waveguide face with appropriate magnification or demagnification to match the input beam dimensions to those of the waveguide. In one preferred embodiment, a first focusing lens is also employed in conjunction with a pinhole aperture and a second imaging lens. The first focusing lens focuses the laser beam onto the aperture and thereby reduces the optical path length. The second imaging lens images the plane of the aperture onto the waveguide.