Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for sorting and labeling food products are provided. Respective spectra of food products for a plurality of segments of a line are received at a controller from at least one line-scan dispersive spectrometer configured to acquire respective spectra of the food products for the plurality of segments of the line. The controller applies one or more machine learning algorithms to the respective spectra to classify the plurality of segments according to at least one of one or more food parameters. The controller controls one or more of a sorting device and a labeling device according to classifying the plurality of segments to cause the food products to be one or more of sorted and labeled according to the at least one of the one or more food parameters.

Abstract: A device and system for optically analyzing food products is provided. The device comprises first and second imaging devices respectively sensitive to first and second wavelengths; the imaging devices include a line-scan camera to acquire images of food products at a line in a food-path-facing direction, and a line-scan spectrometer to acquire spectroscopic images at the line. The device includes an optical filter configured to: convey the first wavelengths from the line to the first imaging device; and convey the second wavelengths from the line to the second imaging device. The device includes a frame to align the optical filter and respective optical axes of the first and second imaging devices, relative to each other and the food-path-facing direction, such that the first imaging device and the second imaging device are optically aligned via the optical filter to image the line.

Abstract: A lamp for illuminating food products along a line is provided. The lamp comprises: a housing having a longitudinal axis and an opening along the longitudinal axis; a light source located in the housing along the longitudinal axis; a reflector positioned in the housing along the longitudinal axis, the reflector to reflect light from the light source through the opening and focus the light along the line; a removeable frame attached to the housing around the opening, the removeable frame having an aperture aligned with the opening along the longitudinal axis; a glass window in the aperture; a transparent polymer film in the aperture at an outward facing side of the glass window, each of the glass window and the transparent polymer film extending into the removeable frame past a perimeter of the aperture; and a seal between the transparent polymer film and the perimeter of the aperture.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the accuracy of a spectrometer system corrects for light source quality, exposure time, distortion in y direction, distortion in x direction, temperature dependence, pixel alignment variability, dark pixels, bad pixels, pixel read noise, and pixel dark current noise. The method and apparatus produces an algorithm for optimizing spectral data and for measuring a sample within the spectrometer system using the optimization algorithm. The spectrometer apparatus comprises a composite external light source, a source light collector, an illumination light structuring component, a sample, a sample light collector, a spectrometer light structuring component, a light dispersing engine, photo detectors, an electrical signal converter, a data preprocessing unit, and a data analyzer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the accuracy of a spectrometer system corrects for light source quality, exposure time, distortion in y direction, distortion in x direction, temperature dependence, pixel alignment variability, dark pixels, bad pixels, pixel read noise, and pixel dark current noise. The method and apparatus produces an algorithm for optimizing spectral data and for measuring a sample within the spectrometer system using the optimization algorithm. The spectrometer apparatus comprises a composite external light source, a source light collector, an illumination light structuring component, a sample, a sample light collector, a spectrometer light structuring component, a light dispersing engine, photo detectors, an electrical signal converter, a data preprocessing unit, and a data analyzer.

Abstract: An optical coupling relay system has an imaging optical system having an object plane, an exit pupil and an image plane. An image analyzer has an image plane and an entrance pupil, and a detector is located in a detector plane and contains photosensitive material. An optical coupling relay couples the optical system to the image analyzer, for projecting the image produced by the imaging optical system into the image plane of the image analyzer and simultaneously for projecting the exit pupil of the imaging optical system into the entry pupil of the image analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring a blood analyte concentration of a body part comprising removing a portion or all of the blood from the body part to produce a modified body part, and recording a first absorbance value of the modified body part. This is followed by filling the body part with blood to produce a filled body part, and recording a second absorbance value of the filled body part. A difference spectrum is obtained by subtracting the first absorbance values from the second absorbance values, and a calibration algorithm for the blood analyte is applied to the difference spectrum, thereby measuring the concentration of the blood analyte. Also provided is an apparatus for determining the concentration of a blood analyte of a body part. The apparatus comprising a chamber of a size and shape to receive the body part, where the chamber comprises an element for withdrawing and reintroducing blood from the body part, when the body part is inserted within the chamber.

Abstract: The golf putter has at least one and preferably three beams, preferably laser, projecting from the front face of the putter, spread vertically. In one embodiment, a single laser is centrally mounted, to project a beam over the top of a ball positioned at the desired impact point on the face of the putter. In another embodiment, two lasers are mounted to project parallel beams on either side of a ball positioned at the desired impact point on the face of the putter. In a preferred embodiment, there are three lasers, namely one projecting a beam over the top of the ball, and two projecting parallel beams on either side of the ball. Preferably there are two switches in the grip of the putter, with the light source(s) being powered only when both switches are pressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measurement of Raman scattered radiation comprising. The apparatus comprises at least one source of electromagnetic radiation for producing an electromagnetic radiation beam characterized by a narrow spectral width, an integrating cavity having an interior and an exterior, wherein a sample is placed in said interior. The integrating cavity further having at least one port for insertion of the sample in the interior and for transmission of the electromagnetic radiation into and out from the interior, the at least one port extending from the exterior to said interior of said integrating cavity. The integrating cavity also comprises a first optical element for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the interior of the integrating cavity through the at least one port, and a second optical element for collecting Raman scattered electromagnetic radiation from the sample through the at least one port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally stable reference member comprising, at least one radiation attenuating element and at least one radiation scattering element. The radiation attenuating element comprising at least one aperture for transmission of radiation therethrough. The attenuating and scattering elements placed in series so that radiation transmitted through the reference member passes through each of the attenuating and scattering elements. The attenuating and scattering elements of the reference member may further comprise a thermally stable mount to hold the elements in a selected position relative to each other, and in relation to an instrument, or the elements may be bonded together.

Abstract: A volume diffraction grating having a substrate and an optically active layer has a structure formed in the optically active layer. The structure is operational to diffract optical signals in two selected spectral bands. The grating may be formed in a high dispersion embodiment suitable for separating individual signals from composite signals of both spectral bands. Alternatively, the grating may be formed in a low dispersion version which can separate the composite signals from each other. In another embodiment, a second structure is formed in the optically active layer. Each of the structures is configured to be operational in one of the spectral bands, allowing signals in each band to be diffracted independently of one another. In another embodiment, the structure(s) may have a curved profile allowing the diffracted beams to be shaped or focused without the need for external lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for enhancing the system response of a photodetector array based spectrometer. For a spectrometer with a given system response curve, secondary light sources are provided to improve the system response in the spectral ranges where the dynamic range is less than at the peak of the curve. In one embodiment, multiple light sources can be combined by means of multiple branches of fibre optic bundles. The secondary light sources may be used in combination with suitable shaping filters and/or masks to further flatten the system response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally stable reference member comprising, at least one radiation attenuating element and at least one radiation scattering element. The radiation attenuating element comprising at least one aperture for transmission of radiation therethrough. The attenuating and scattering elements placed in series so that radiation transmitted through the reference member passes through each of the attenuating and scattering elements. The attenuating and scattering elements of the reference member may further comprise a thermally stable mount to hold the elements in a selected position relative to each other, and in relation to an instrument, or the elements may be bonded together.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial member (80, 210) which mimics the absorbance spectrum of a body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes. The artificial member comprises a light scattering and reflecting material, and has a chamber portion comprising one or more chambers (90, 100, 220). The artificial member is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor which receptor is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of building instrument variation tolerance into calibration algorithms for spectroscopic devices for chemical composition analysis with spectroscopic methods. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for blood glucose, cholesterol and other chemical components prediction based on near-infrared spectrophotometry measurements. A method includes developing a calibration algorithm on a first instrument; applying the calibration algorithm to a second instrument; calibrating the second instrument and adjusting the calibration algorithm to account for differences between the first instrument and the second instrument; and repeating the step of applying (above) in respect of (n) further instruments to provide a calibration algorithm which may then be used on other instruments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measurement of Raman scattered radiation comprising. The apparatus comprises at least one source of electromagnetic radiation for producing an electromagnetic radiation beam characterized by a narrow spectral width, an integrating cavity having an interior and an exterior, wherein a sample is placed in said interior. The integrating cavity further having at least one port for insertion of the sample in the interior and for transmission of the electromagnetic radiation into and out from the interior, the at least one port extending from the exterior to said interior of said integrating cavity. The integrating cavity also comprises a first optical element for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the interior of the integrating cavity through the at least one port, and a second optical element for collecting Raman scattered electromagnetic radiation from the sample through the at least one port.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for determining a diabetic patient's compliance with their insulin dosing regime. The method and apparatus involves taking a blood sample from a patient by a routine finger prick and placing it in a special sample tab which is placed in a spectrophotometer sample housing. The spectrophotometer measures Hb and HbA1c concentrations and allows for calculating a ratio of HbA1c to Hb which is indicative of the degree of patient compliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial member (80, 210) which mimics the absorbance spectrum of a body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes. The artificial member comprises a light scattering and reflecting material, and has a chamber portion comprising one or more chambers (90, 100, 220). The artificial member is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor which receptor is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial member (80, 210) which mimics the absorbance spectrum of a body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes. The artificial member comprises a light scattering and reflecting material, and has a chamber portion comprising one or more chambers (90, 100, 220). The artificial member is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor which receptor is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: The multifiber fiber-optic element for use in image transfer comprises a large number of packed optic fibers cemented together at least at the ends, and microlenses formed on at least one of the two end facets of the fibers, whereby the optical invariant of the element can be changed by said microlenses. A method for providing the microlenses light redistributing structures is also disclosed.