Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a lighting apparatus is provided. The lighting apparatus includes at least one light source configured to provide a source light, an optical waveguide optically coupled to the at least one light source, the optical waveguide having at least one input region through which the source light enters the optical waveguide for propagation within the optical waveguide, and a plurality of light interacting structures arranged within the optical waveguide, the plurality of light interacting structures adapted to interact with the source light to provide an illumination light emitted from the optical waveguide to an ambient environment, wherein a concentration of the plurality of light interacting structures increases, along a length portion of the optical waveguide, in a direction away from the at least one input region.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a lighting apparatus is provided. The lighting apparatus includes at least one light source configured to provide a source light, an optical waveguide optically coupled to the at least one light source, the optical waveguide having at least one input region through which the source light enters the optical waveguide for propagation within the optical waveguide, and a plurality of light interacting structures arranged within the optical waveguide, the plurality of light interacting structures adapted to interact with the source light to provide an illumination light emitted from the optical waveguide to an ambient environment, wherein a concentration of the plurality of light interacting structures increases, along a length portion of the optical waveguide, in a direction away from the at least one input region.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysing a fluorescent sample disposed on a substrate comprises a first processor for producing first and second electrical signals derived from respective first and second light signal components received from a sample and from a substrate. The apparatus produces the first and second electrical signals such that there is a phase difference between phases of the first and second electrical signals. The apparatus comprises a control circuit for producing an attenuation signal for attenuating the second electrical signal.

Abstract: A method for measuring a fluorescent sample on a substrate. The method includes exciting the fluorescent sample with an exciting light source for the generation of a sample fluorescent optical signal and a substrate fluorescent optical signal substantially eliminated. The microfluidic substrate fluorescent optical signal is leaving the sample fluorescent optical signal. The sample fluorescence optical signal can then be processed.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use in an immunoassay device having at least one microfluidic channel, the optical fiber being for transmitting excitation light to the microfluidic channel and for transmitting emitted fluorescence to a light detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysing a fluorescent sample disposed on a substrate comprises a first processor for producing first and second electrical signals derived from respective first and second light signal components received from a sample and from a substrate. The apparatus produces the first and second electrical signals such that there is a phase difference between phases of the first and second electrical signals. The apparatus comprises a control circuit for producing an attenuation signal for attenuating the second electrical signal.

Abstract: A method for measuring a fluorescent sample on a substrate. The method includes exciting the fluorescent sample with an exciting light source for the generation of a sample fluorescent optical signal and a substrate fluorescent optical signal substantially eliminated. The microfluidic substrate fluorescent optical signal is leaving the sample fluorescent optical signal. The sample fluorescence optical signal can then be processed.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use in an immunoassay device having at least one microfluidic channel, the optical fiber being for transmitting excitation light to the microfluidic channel and for transmitting emitted fluorescence to a light detector.

Abstract: Provided herein are fiber optic force sensors for measuring shear force which include an optical fiber with at least one optical core and a Bragg grating. Also provided arc fiber optic force sensor arrays for measuring a plurality of shear forces which include an optical fiber with at least one optical fiber core and a plurality of Bragg gratings.

Abstract: A fiber optic force sensor for measuring shear force, comprising an optical fiber comprising at least one fiber core having a fiber optical axis, a Bragg grating being formed in a portion of the at least one fiber core of the optical fiber and having a grating optical axis coaxial to the fiber optical axis, a first stack of layers comprising an upper protection layer and an upper anchoring layer, and a second stack of layers comprising a lower anchoring layer and a lower protection layer. The first stack of layers is arranged above the second stack of layers with the upper anchoring layer facing the lower anchoring layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic force sensor for sensing a force exerted upon an optical fiber and comprising a fiber Bragg grating having a Bragg grating (204) formed in a portion of an optical fiber (203), and a plurality of stacked layers (201, 202) into which the fiber Bragg grating is embedded.

Abstract: A fiber optic force sensor for sensing a force exerted upon an optical fiber and comprising a fiber Bragg grating having a Bragg grating (204) formed in a portion of an optical fiber (203), and a plurality of stacked layers (201, 202) into which the fiber Bragg grating is embedded.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous cardiac output monitoring ascertains cardiac output by measuring the cross-sectional area of the vessel and the flow rate of fluid flowing through the vessel. The cross-sectional area is derived from the measured resistance within the vessel whereby a pair of signal electrodes injects a known electrical signal into the vessel and the resistance is derived from the known signal and the differential voltage between first and second measuring pairs of electrodes. Resistivity of the fluid is a component of the cross-sectional area derivation, and a temperature sensor is provided to allow for compensating for variations in resistivity with temperature. A velocity sensor is preferably of an optic fiber, Doppler shift type, and the accuracy of the velocity measurement is improved by focusing light emissions from the optic fiber(s) by either providing a Fresnel plate on the terminal end of the fiber or by forming the terminal end of the fiber in a generally conical shape.

Abstract: A two-fibre optic probe or sensor performs accurate measurements of fluids flowing within a remote vessels, such as blood flowing within arteries or veins or fluid flowing within pipes. One of the fibre transmits a light that is intercepted by a reflective surface. The reflective surface reflects the light out of the probe through an optically transparent window, located in the probe, and into the volume of the fluid. A portion of the emitted light scatters back, as backscatter, through the optical window into the probe where the light once again encounters the reflective surface. The reflective surface then directs the backscattered light directly into the terminal ends of the other fibre that receives the light. The detected light is used to measure the volume of the fluid at the area where the incident beam of the emitted light and the backscattered light overlaps.