Abstract: A spectroscopic system which determines a property of a biological structure in a volume of interest of a person includes a low cost objective lens for directing an excitation beam into a volume of interest and for collecting return radiation from the volume of interest. After detection of the return radiation and generation of spectroscopic signals, a correction unit performs a compensation for aberrations of the spectroscopic signals introduced by the low cost objective lens. Since the aberrations of the objective lens strongly depend on the lateral distance of the volume of interest from the optical axis of the objective lens, the correction unit uses a correction table providing an assignment between correction values and various lateral positions of the volume of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system (100) for determining of a property of a biological structure in a volume of interest (120) of a person. The spectroscopic system (100) comprises a low cost objective lens (118) for directing an excitation beam into a volume of interest (120) and for collecting return radiation (124) from the volume of interest (120). After detection of the return radiation (124), i.e. the spectroscopic signals, a correction unit (106) performs the compensation of the aberrations of the spectroscopic signals introduced by the low cost objective lens (118). Since the aberrations of the objective lens (118) strongly depend on the lateral distance (122) of the volume of interest (120) from the optical axis (116) of the objective lens (118), the correction unit (106) makes effective use of a correction table (110) providing an assignment between correction values and various lateral positions (122) of the volume of interest (120).

Abstract: The invention provides an optical analysis system for efficient compensation of spectroscopic broadband back-ground, such as spectroscopic fluorescence background or background signals that are due to the dark current of a detector. The optical analysis system effectively provides multivariate optical analysis of a spectroscopic signal. It provides wavelength selective detection of various spectral components that are indicative of a superposition of spectroscopic peaks or bands and their broadband background. Additionally, the optical analysis system is adapted to acquire spectral components that predominantly correspond to the broadband background of the spectroscopic peaks or bands. Wavelength selective selection of various spectral components is performed on the basis of reconfigurable multivariate optical elements or on the basis of a position displacement of a spatial optical transmission mask.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus mechanism for a spectroscopic system that is adapted to determine a property of a volume of interest. The volume of interest has an optical property that varies with time. The invention provides measurement means that are adapted to measure the fluctuations of the optical property of the volume of interest for determining the position of the volume of interest. The spectroscopic system being further adapted to focus an excitation beam into the determined volume of interest and for collecting return radiation emanating from the volume of interest for spectroscopic analysis. Preferably, inelastically scattered radiation of an excitation beam is separated from elastically scattered radiation for spectroscopic analysis. The elastically scattered radiation of the excitation beam is in turn exploited in order to measure the fluctuations of the optical property of the volume of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system for determining a property of a fluid flowing through a volume of interest underneath the surface of the skin of a patient. The spectroscopic system comprises a probe head that has at least an objective for directing an excitation beam into the volume of interest and for collecting return radiation. The spectroscopic system has further a base station having at least a spectroscopic analysis unit and a power supply. The system makes use of a beam combination unit, a filter unit and a focusing unit for combining and separating a variety of different optical signals and for precisely positioning the optical signals inside the volume of interest. The beam combination unit, the filter unit and the focusing unit can be variably implemented inside the probe head or inside the base station depending on a specific applications of the spectroscopic system, thereby allowing for a flexible and compact design of the probe head.

Abstract: The present invention enables to determine the property of a fluid, such as for the purposes of in vivo blood analysis. First the position of a volume of interest through which the fluid flows is determined by means of an optical detection step by making use of an objective. Preferably the optical detection step is an imaging step. Next the objective is moved to bring the focal point of the objective to the volume of interest. In this position an optical spectroscopic step is performed. This has the advantage that the measurement beam for performing the optical spectroscopy travels along the optical axis for optimum efficiency.

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: A disk drive unit for a removable disk (D), in particular for use in mobile devices, comprises a spindle (1) driven by an electric motor (2) and supporting the disk (D) in its operating position. It further comprises one or two loading mechanisms (4A and 4B) to load mechanical energy into a storage mechanism (5) for storing the loaded energy. A release mechanism (6) is provided to release the stored energy stepwise to the spindle in order to assist during a plurality of start-ups of the disk rotation. The two loading mechanisms (4A and 4B) are adapted to load mechanical energy provided by the user during insertion of the disk and energy released during the deceleration of the rotation of the disk, respectively. The electrical power consumption of the disk drive unit is reduced by the storage of the mechanical energy and its stepwise release.

Abstract: A disk drive unit for a disk, e.g. for use in a mobile device, comprises a spindle (1) positioned within the disk drive unit and adapted to support the disk rotatably in an operating position. An electric motor (2) is operatively coupled to the spindle (1) to rotate it. An auxiliary electric motor (3) is connectable to the spindle to accelerate the spindle during start-up. This auxiliary motor can be selected to work efficiently at zero speed. The electric motor may be a low-power motor, resulting in a reduced power consumption.

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.