Abstract: A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for optically detecting changes in concentration of analytes in the body of a patient via fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET). An analyte detector implantable in the body of the patient includes a plurality of fluorophore-tagged sensing elements that bind to a specific analyte. A light emitter emits energy at a wavelength that is within the absorption spectrum of a donor fluorescent dye, and a light detector detects the energy fluoresced by donor and acceptor fluorescent dyes in the analyte detector. The relative intensity of energy fluoresced by the dyes is a function of the concentration of the analyte. A processor monitors the change in concentration of the analyte over time and may take action, such as directing the therapy device to administer therapy, when the change in concentration surpasses a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for D dimer (a fibrinolytic product) can be used in vivo (e.g., in catheter-based procedures) for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It has been estimated that strokes and stroke-related disorders cost Americans between $15-30 billion annually. Relatively recently, new medical procedures have been developed for the treatment of stroke. These endovascular procedures rely upon the use of microcatheters. These procedures could be facilitated with this sensor for D dimer integrated with a microcatheter for the diagnosis of clot type, and as an indicator of the effectiveness, or end-point of thrombolytic therapy.