Abstract: A measurement system utilizing metasurfaces and compressive sensing is provided that measures specular and diffuse RF reflection properties of a sample omnidirectionally across a broad frequency regime in a monostatic, bistatic, or BRDF sense. The measurement system may be used to measure the full hemispherical (or spherical) reflection from a target that has been illuminated in a monostatic or bistatic case. The measurement system may also be used to measure the full BRDF of a sample or spatially complex bistatic reflections from a sample.

Abstract: A measurement system utilizing metasurfaces and compressive sensing is provided that measures specular and diffuse RF reflection properties of a sample omnidirectionally across a broad frequency regime in a monostatic, bistatic, or BRDF sense. The measurement system may be used to measure the full hemispherical (or spherical) reflection from a target that has been illuminated in a monostatic or bistatic case. The measurement system may also be used to measure the full BRDF of a sample or spatially complex bistatic reflections from a sample.

Abstract: A canoe and platform combination assembly includes a platform that has a top side, a bottom side, a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A plurality of arms is attached to the platform. The arms engage canoes positioned adjacent to the first and second lateral sides such that the canoes are orientated parallel to each other. A plurality of tethers is provided. Each of the arms has one of the tethers positioned thereon. Each of the tethers is positioned around one of a plurality of braces of the canoes.

Abstract: A canoe and platform combination assembly includes a platform that has a top side, a bottom side, a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A plurality of arms is attached to the platform. The arms engage canoes positioned adjacent to the first and second lateral sides such that the canoes are orientated parallel to each other. A plurality of tethers is provided. Each of the arms has one of the tethers positioned thereon. Each of the tethers is positioned around one of a plurality of braces of the canoes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for accurate noninvasive determination of tissue properties. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an optical sampler having an illumination subsystem, adapted to communicate light having a first polarization to a tissue surface; a collection subsystem, adapted to collect light having a second polarization communicated from the tissue after interaction with the tissue; wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization. The difference in the polarizations can discourage collection of light specularly reflected from the tissue surface, and can encourage preferential collection of light that has interacted with a desired depth of penetration or path length distribution in the tissue. The different polarizations can, as examples, be linear polarizations with an angle between, or elliptical polarizations of different handedness.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for providing support information for a software application and generating a knowledge database of support information. A computer system generates a page of the software application displayable on a display. The page has a support button selectable by a user. In response to selection of the support button, the computer accesses support information regarding the page from a knowledge database that is separate from the software application. The computer generates a support page displayable on the display which includes the support information from the knowledge database. The knowledge database is updated at least partly based on analytical data regarding user access of the support information.

Abstract: Electromagnetic attenuation of an object is accomplished by attaching a boot to a surface of an operational part of the object. The boot includes a thermoplastic material, such as in a thermoplastic layer, and an electromagnetic attenuation material, such as in an electromagnetic attenuation layer that overlies at least part of the thermoplastic layer. The attaching is accomplished by placing the boot onto the operational part, and then heat shrinking the boot to attach the boot to the operational part. The electromagnetic attenuation layer may have gaps in it prior to the heat shrinking, gaps that are closed during the heat shrinking, to the greater contraction of the thermoplastic layer. The boot and method may be used to advantageously provide electromagnetic attenuation without a need for spraying processes. The method may be used to retrofit and/or repair an object, without needed to remove it from the field.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for accurate noninvasive determination of tissue properties. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an optical sampler having an illumination subsystem, adapted to communicate light having a first polarization to a tissue surface; a collection subsystem, adapted to collect light having a second polarization communicated from the tissue after interaction with the tissue; wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization. The difference in the polarizations can discourage collection of light specularly reflected from the tissue surface, and can encourage preferential collection of light that has interacted with a desired depth of penetration or path length distribution in the tissue. The different polarizations can, as examples, be linear polarizations with an angle between, or elliptical polarizations of different handedness.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus suitable for determining properties of in vivo tissue from spectral information collected from the tissue. An illumination system provides light at a plurality of broadband ranges, which are communicated to an optical probe. The optical probe receives light from the illumination system and transmits it to in vivo tissue, and receives light diffusely reflected in response to the broadband light, emitted from the in vivo tissue by fluorescence thereof in response to the broadband light, or a combination thereof. The optical probe communicates the light to a spectrograph which produces a signal representative of the spectral properties of the light. An analysis system determines a property of the in vivo tissue from the spectral properties. A calibration device mounts such that it is periodically in optical communication with the optical probe.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus suitable for determining properties of in vivo tissue. An illumination system communicates light at a plurality of broadband ranges to an optical probe, which can comprise a flexible probe. Light homogenizers and mode scramblers can be employed in some embodiments. The optical probe can physically contact the tissue, or can be maintained separate from the tissue. The optical probe receives light from the illumination system and transmits it to tissue, and receives light diffusely reflected in response to the broadband light, emitted from the in vivo tissue by fluorescence thereof in response to the broadband light, or a combination thereof. The optical probe can communicate the light to a spectrograph which produces a signal representative of the spectral properties of the light. An analysis system determines a property of the in vivo tissue from the spectral properties.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus with a flexible probe suitable for determining properties of in vivo tissue from spectral information collected from various tissue sites. An illumination system provides light at a plurality of broadband ranges, which are communicated to a flexible optical probe. Light homogenizers and mode scramblers can be employed to improve the performance in some embodiments. The optical probe in some embodiments physically contacts the tissue, and in some embodiments does not physically contact the tissue. The optical probe receives light from the illumination system and transmits it to tissue, and receives light diffusely reflected in response to the broadband light, emitted from the in vivo tissue by fluorescence thereof in response to the broadband light, or a combination thereof. The optical probe can communicate the light to a spectrograph which produces a signal representative of the spectral properties of the light.

Abstract: A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating fluorescence with a measure of tissue state to determine a tissue state. The invention can comprise various light excitation and detection configurations. The invention also can comprise correction techniques that reduce determination errors due to detection of light other than that from fluorescence of a chemical in the tissue. Other biologic information can be used in combination with the fluorescence properties to aid in the determination of a measure of tissue state. The invention also comprises apparatuses suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus suitable for determining properties of in vivo tissue from spectral information collected from various tissue sites. An illumination system provides light at a plurality of broadband ranges, which are communicated to an optical probe. The optical probe can be a flexible probe in some embodiments, allowing ease of application. Light homogenizers and mode scramblers can be employed to improve the performance in some embodiments. The optical probe in some embodiments physically contacts the tissue, and in some embodiments does not physically contact the tissue. The optical probe receives light from the illumination system and transmits it to tissue, and receives light diffusely reflected in response to the broadband light, emitted from the in vivo tissue by fluorescence thereof in response to the broadband light, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating fluorescence with a measure of tissue state to determine a tissue state. The invention can comprise single wavelength excitation light, scanning of excitation light (illuminating the tissue at a plurality of wavelengths), detection at a single wavelength, scanning of detection wavelengths (detecting emitted light at a plurality of wavelengths), and combinations thereof. The invention also can comprise correction techniques that reduce determination errors due to detection of light other than that from fluorescence of a chemical in the tissue.

Abstract: A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating fluorescence with a measure of tissue state to determine a tissue state. The invention can comprise single wavelength excitation light, scanning of excitation light (illuminating the tissue at a plurality of wavelengths), detection at a single wavelength, scanning of detection wavelengths (detecting emitted light at a plurality of wavelengths), and combinations thereof. The invention also can comprise correction techniques that reduce determination errors due to detection of light other than that from fluorescence of a chemical in the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for accurate noninvasive determination of tissue properties. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an optical sampler having an illumination subsystem, adapted to communicate light having a first polarization to a tissue surface; a collection subsystem, adapted to collect light having a second polarization communicated from the tissue after interaction with the tissue; wherein the first polarization is different from the second polarization. The difference in the polarizations can discourage collection of light specularly reflected from the tissue surface, and can encourage preferential collection of light that has interacted with a desired depth of penetration or path length distribution in the tissue. The different polarizations can, as examples, be linear polarizations with an angle between, or elliptical polarizations of different handedness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive determination of attributes of human tissue by quantitative infrared spectroscopy. The system includes subsystems optimized to contend with the complexities of the tissue spectrum, high signal-to-noise ratio and photometric accuracy requirements, tissue sampling errors, calibration maintenance problems, and calibration transfer problems. The subsystems include an illumination subsystem, a tissue sampling subsystem, a spectrometer subsystem, a data acquisition subsystem, and a processing subsystem. The invention is applicable, as examples, to determining the concentration or change of concentration of alcohol in human tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and/or maintaining the accuracy of a multivariate calibration model designed for quantitative optical spectroscopic measurement of attributes or analytes in bodily tissues, bodily fluids or other biological samples, which are particularly useful when the spectral absorbance of the attribute or analyte is small relative to the background. The present invention provides an optically similar reference sample to reduce the effect of instrument or environment variation on the measurement capability of the model. The optically similar reference can be a gel composition having scattering particles suspended therein. The reference gel can be directly applied to a spectroscopic instrument sampler, or can be in a container specifically designed for optimal coupling to a spectroscopic instrument.

Abstract: A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating fluorescence with a measure of tissue state to determine a tissue state. The invention can comprise single wavelength excitation light, scanning of excitation light (illuminating the tissue at a plurality of wavelengths), detection at a single wavelength, scanning of detection wavelengths (detecting emitted light at a plurality of wavelengths), and combinations thereof. The invention also can comprise correction techniques that reduce determination errors due to detection of light other than that from fluorescence of a chemical in the tissue.

Abstract: An impact absorbing protective gear for protecting an area of the wearer's body includes a pad, which is configured to generally conform to the area of the wearer's body, and a fluid containing body. The pad includes an inner surface and an outer surface, with the inner surface for facing the area of the wearer's body. The pad is formed from a resilient energy-absorbing material wherein the outer surface flexes inwardly when impacted by a force applied to the outer surface. The inner surface includes at least one recessed portion. The fluid containing body is located in the recessed portion and has a volume less than the volume of the recessed portion wherein the fluid containing body can deform in the recessed portion upon impact from the force to thereby increase the amount of energy absorbed by the protective gear.