Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter head comprising: means (104, 108; 306, 304; 320; 322; 326; 338) for directing of radiation to a blood detection volume (220; 310), means (104, 108; 306, 304; 320; 322; 326; 332, 334, 330; 338) for receiving of return radiation from the blood detection volume, means (104; 306; 330) for transmitting of the return radiation to means (122) for analysis of the return radiation for determination of at least one property of the blood.

Abstract: The optical analysis system (20) is arranged to determine an amplitude of a principal component of an optical signal. The optical analysis system (20) comprises a multivariate optical element (5, 6) for weighing the optical signal by a spectral weighing function and a detector (7, 8) for detecting the weighed optical signal. The optical signal comprises the principal component and a further component which was not accounted for when designing the spectral weighing function. Therefore, the detected weighed optical signal comprises a part relating to the amplitude of the principal component and a further part relating to a further amplitude of the further component. The optical analysis system (20) further comprises a modulator element (13) for modulating the detected weighed optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical analysis system for determining an amplitude of a principal component of an optical signal. The principle component is indicative of the concentration of a particular compound of various compounds of a substance that is subject to spectroscopic analysis. The optical signal is subject to a wavelength selective weighting. Spectral weighting is preferably performed by means of spatial light manipulation means in combination with a dispersive optical element. The inventive calibration mechanism and method effectively allows for an accurate positioning of the spatial light manipulation means. Calibration is based on a calibration segment on the spatial light manipulation means in combination with a reference light source and a detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a personal identification method and to a corresponding apparatus. Their elements are mainly a light source emitting a beam of light towards a target, a first imaging module receiving a return beam coming back from said target and displaying an image of the target of a first type, and a second imaging module also receiving said return beam and displaying an image of the target of a second type. An identification module allows to combine the information given by said image of a first type and said image of a second type and to identify, or not, a person according to a similarity criterion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient approach of attaching and fixing a measurement head for a spectroscopic system to a variety of different parts of the skin of a patient. The measurement head preferably features a compact design providing a flexible handling and offering a huge variety of application areas taking into account the plurality of properties of various portions of the skin. Furthermore, the measurement head features a robust and uncomplicated optical design not requiring a lateral shifting of the optical axis of the objective. Such transverse relative movements between the objective and a capillary vessel in the skin are preferably performed by mechanically shifting the skin with respect to the objective of the measurement head. Moreover, the measurement head is adapted to host one or more pressure sensors measuring the contact pressure between the measurement head and the skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection mechanism for a spectroscopic analysis system being adapted to determine a property of a biological structure in a volume of interest of a patient. The spectroscopic system preferably makes use of high power radiation, and provides a protection mechanism for preventing an accidental exposure of light sensitive tissue of a body. The invention provides a variety of approaches to detect whether a measurement head of the spectroscopic system is in a measurement position. The measurement position of the measurement head can effectively be determined by making use of e.g. a pressure sensor, a sensor measuring the electric resistance of the skin of the patient, or even by optical means analyzing the intensity or the spatial structure of a monitoring beam providing a visual image of the volume of interest.

Abstract: The optical analysis system (20) for determining an amplitude of a principal component of an optical signal comprises a multivariate optical element (10) for reflecting the optical signal and thereby weighing the optical signal by a spectral weighing function, and a detector (9, 9P, 9N) for detecting the weighed optical signal. The optical analysis system (20) may further comprise a dispersive element (2) for spectrally dispersing the optical signal, the multivariate optical element being arranged to receive the dispersed optical signal. The blood analysis system (40) comprises the optical analysis system (20) according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an identification method carried out as follows. A surface structure and an inner structure of a body member are measured (ST1-ST4, ST7) so as to obtain a surface-structure measurement result (FPM) and an inner-structure measurement result (BVPM), respectively. The surface-structure measurement result (FPM) is compared (ST5) with a surface-structure reference result (FPR) that distinguishes an individual from other individuals. The inner-structure measurement result (BVPM) is compared (ST8) with an inner-structure reference result (BVPR) that is associated with the same individual and that distinguishes the individual from other individuals. The body member may be, for example, a finger. In that case, the surface structure comprises a fingerprint and the inner structure comprises a blood-vessel pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system as well as a method of autonomous tuning of a spectroscopic system and a corresponding computer program product. By detecting the position of return radiation in a transverse plane of an aperture of a spectroscopic analysis unit, a control signal can be generated that allows to drive servo driven translation or tilting stages of optical components. In this way a transverse misalignment of a spectroscopic system can be effectively detected. Generally, a plurality of different detection schemes are realizable allowing for an autonomous, tuning of the spectroscopic system and for autonomous elimination of misalignment of a spectroscopic system.