Abstract: A method for determining the presence and concentration of components in serum includes the steps of providing a serum sample, performing optical analysis of the serum sample using a spectrometer to provide spectral data based on optical properties of the serum sample, determining the concentrations of albumin, globulins and hemoglobin in the serum sample based on comparisons of the spectral data with reference spectra and outputting the determined concentrations of the albumin, globulins and hemoglobin. The invention can be used to accurately determine the concentration of albumin, globulins and hemoglobin in blood serum and can form the basis of initial cancer screening and to gauge a patient's response to treatment.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a spatially distributed multimode optical fiber; a photodetector configured to detect optical signals provided from said fiber; a wireless digital module coupled to said photodetector and adapted to wirelessly transmit a wireless signal encoding a plurality of detected variables of the optical signals; a wireless receiver adapted to receive the wireless signal; and a signal processing module coupled to said wireless receiver and adapted to decode and interpret the plurality of detected variables of the optical signals.

Abstract: A thin film passive integrated optical waveguide is formed in a lithium tantalate substrate by proton exchange in a benzoic acid bath. Annealing the substrate provides increased waveguide depth and stabilizes the refractive index. Optical components are formed by proton exchange of the masked substrate after formation of a planar waveguide.