Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products for non-invasive monitoring of a biological volume, such as a human brain, are described. In one preferred embodiment, each of a plurality of optical sources emits optical radiation into the biological volume each of a plurality of optical detectors detects optical radiation impinging thereupon from the biological volume. The optical measurements are processed to compute a requisite property value associated with each source-detector pair. For each source-detector pair, a volumetric basis region corresponding thereto is weighted by the requisite property value, the volumetric basis region being predetermined and representative of an estimated subvolume of the biological volume encountered by optical radiation emitted from that source and propagating to that detector. The weighted volumetric basis regions are accumulated into a volumetric cumulative array, and a display output is generated based at least in part on the volumetric cumulative array.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring one or more parameters relating to blood, such as cardiac output, of a patient is provided. The system preferably includes an acoustic energy transducer unit configured and positioned to transmit acoustic energy into a target structure, preferably a blood vessel, within the patient so as to induce a measurable change, preferably a change in blood volume, within the target structure. The transducer unit can be an ultrasonic array, annular array, or groups thereof, or a single element transducer. The unit can also be a vibrator or acoustic loudspeaker. An optical transmitter transmits light into the target structure, and an optical receiver senses light scattered from within the target structure. The blood parameter can then be estimated from the sensed scattered radiation. Relative blood oxygen saturation in the blood vessel, can be estimated by transmitting two wavelengths to measure oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic system, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Optical transmitters generate radiation-containing photons having a specific interaction with at least one target chromophore in a target structure, preferably a blood vessel such as the interior jugular vein. The optical transmitters transmit the radiation into at least a first area including a substantial portion of the target structure and into a second area not including a substantial portion of the target structure. Optical receivers detect a portion radiation scattered from at least the first area and the second area. A processor estimates oxygenation, pH or cardiac output based on the scattered radiation detected from the first area, and the scattered radiation from the second area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive optical system equipped with optical tomographic scanning method and algorithm for quantifying scattering and absorption properties and chromophore concentrations of highly scattering medium such as biological tissues, for 3D mapping and imaging reconstruction of the spatial and temporal variations in such properties. The invention further relates to a method and an apparatus for simultaneous measurement of concentrations of biochemical substances and blood oxygen saturation inside a biological tissue and arterial blood.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical probes of optical imaging systems and methods thereof for providing two-or three-dimensional images of spatial or temporal distribution of chromophores and/or their properties in a physiological medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical probes of optical imaging systems equipped with optical sensors such as wave sources and wave detectors which are disposed on scanning surfaces of the optical probes in a symmetric fashion. A typical optical probe of the present invention includes at least two wave sources (a first wave source and a second wave source) as well as at least two wave detectors (a first wave detector and a second wave detector), where the first wave source is disposed closer to the first wave detector than the second wave detector, and where the second wave source is disposed closer to the second wave detector than the first wave detector.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for obtaining absolute values of concentrations of chromophores of a medium and/or absolute values of their ratios. More particularly, the present invention relates to non-invasive optical systems and methods for determining absolute values of oxygenated and/or deoxygenated hemoglobins and their ratios in a physiological medium. The optical system typically includes (1) a body, (2) a source module supported by the body, optically coupling with the medium, and irradiating into the medium multiple sets of electromagnetic waves with different wave characteristics, (3) a detector module supported by the body, optically coupling with the medium, and detecting such electromagnetic waves, and (4) a processing module operatively coupling with the detector module, and determining the absolute values of the concentrations and the ratios thereof from multiple wave equations applied to the source and detector modules.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods for providing images of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional distribution of properties of chromophores in various physiological media. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical imaging systems, optical probes thereof, and methods therefor utilizing self-calibration of their output signals. A typical self-calibrating optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, at least one wave detector, a signal analyzer, a signal processor, and an image processor. The signal analyzer receives, from the wave detector, an output signal representative of the distribution of the chromophores or their properties in target areas of the medium. The signal analyzer analyzes amplitudes of the output signal and selects multiple points of the output signal having substantially similar amplitudes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods for providing images of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional distribution of properties of chromophores in various physiological media. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical imaging systems, optical probes thereof, and methods therefor utilizing self-calibration of their output signals. A typical self-calibrating optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, at least one wave detector, a signal analyzer, a signal processor, and an image processor. The signal analyzer receives, from the wave detector, an output signal representative of the distribution of the chromophores or their properties in, target areas of the medium. The signal analyzer analyzes amplitudes of the output signal and selects multiple points of the output signal having substantially similar amplitudes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for obtaining absolute values of concentrations of chromophores of a medium and/or absolute values of their ratios. More particularly, the present invention relates to non-invasive optical systems and methods for determining absolute values of oxygenated and/or deoxygenated hemoglobins and their ratios in a physiological medium. The optical system typically includes (1) a body, (2) a source module supported by the body, optically coupling with the medium, and irradiating into the medium multiple sets of electromagnetic waves with different wave characteristics, (3) a detector module supported by the body, optically coupling with the medium, and detecting such electromagnetic waves, and (4) a processing module operatively coupling with the detector module, and determining the absolute values of the concentrations and the ratios thereof from multiple wave equations applied to the source and detector modules.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for obtaining absolute values of concentrations of chromophores of a medium and/or absolute values of their ratios. In particular, the present invention relates to continuous wave spectroscopic optical systems and methods for determining the absolute values of deoxygenated and/or oxygenated hemoglobins and their ratios in a physiological medium. The optical system typically includes (1) a source module optically coupling with the medium and irradiating into the medium multiple sets of electromagnetic waves with different wave characteristics, (2) a detector module optically coupling with the medium and detecting electromagnetic waves, and (3) a processing module operatively coupling with the detector module, and determining the absolute values of the concentrations and the ratios thereof from multiple wave equations applied to the source and detector modules.

Abstract: The invention features a calibration method for diffuse optical measurements that corrects transmittance measurements between a source and a detector for factors unrelated to sample properties. The calibration method is based on the same set of transmittance measurements that are subsequently corrected by the calibration and used in imaging and/or spectroscopy applications. The calibration method involves a forward calculation for each of multiple source-detector pairs based on an approximate model of the sample, and a minimization of an expression that depends on the forward calculations and the transmittance measurements to determine self-consistent coupling coefficients for every source-detector pair. Once the coupling coefficients have been determined, they can be used to correct the transmittance measurements. If desired, an inverse calculation can be performed on the corrected sample measurements to determine spatial variations in the optical properties of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods for providing images of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional distribution of properties of chromophores in various physiological media. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical imaging systems, optical probes thereof, and methods therefore utilizing self-calibration of their output signals. A typical self-calibrating optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, at least one wave detector, a signal analyzer, a signal processor, and an image processor. The signal analyzer receives, from the wave detector, an output signal representative of the distribution of the chromophores or their properties in target areas of the medium. The signal analyzer analyzes amplitudes of the output signal and selects multiple points of the output signal having substantially similar amplitudes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for obtaining absolute values of concentrations of chromophores of a medium and/or absolute values of their ratios. In particular, the present invention relates to continuous wave spectroscopic optical systems and methods for determining the absolute values of deoxygenated and/or oxygenated hemoglobins and their ratios in a physiological medium. The optical system typically includes (1) a source module optically coupling with the medium and irradiating into the medium multiple sets of electromagnetic waves with different wave characteristics, (2) a detector module optically coupling with the medium and detecting electromagnetic waves, and (3) a processing module operatively coupling with the detector module, and determining the absolute values of the concentrations and the ratios thereof from multiple wave equations applied to the source and detector modules.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical probes of optical imaging systems and methods thereof for providing two-or three-dimensional images of spatial or temporal distribution of chromophores and/or their properties in a physiological medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical probes of optical imaging systems equipped with optical sensors such as wave sources and wave detectors which are disposed on scanning surfaces of the optical probes in a symmetric fashion. A typical optical probe of the present invention includes at least two wave sources (a first wave source and a second wave source) as well as at least two wave detectors (a first wave detector and a second wave detector), where the first wave source is disposed closer to the first wave detector than the second wave detector, and where the second wave source is disposed closer to the second wave detector than the first wave detector.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods thereof for providing images of two- and/or three-dimensional distribution of properties of chromophores in various physiological media. In particular, the present invention provides preferred embodiments of optical imaging systems, optical probes, sensor assemblies, and methods thereof for utilizing movable scanning units. A typical optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, wave detector, movable member, and actuator member. The wave source emits electromagnetic waves into a target area of the physiological medium and the wave detector generates output signal in response to electromagnetic waves detected thereby. The wave source and detector are disposed at the movable member which is moved by the actuator member so that at least one of the wave source and detector moves over different regions of the target area while generating the output signal thereby.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods for providing images of two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial or temporal distribution of properties of chromophores in a physiological medium. More particularly, the following description provides preferred embodiments of optical imaging systems utilizing efficient, real-time image construction algorithms. A typical optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, at least one wave detector, a movable member, an actuator member, and an imaging member. The wave source emits electromagnetic waves into a target area of the medium, and the wave detector detects electromagnetic waves and generates output signal in response thereto. The movable member includes the wave source and/or detector, and the actuator member moves the movable member along with the wave source and detector over different regions of the target area while the wave detector generates the output signal therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods for providing images of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional distribution of properties of chromophores in various physiological media. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical imaging systems, optical probes thereof, and methods therefor utilizing self-calibration of their output signals. A typical self-calibrating optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, at least one wave detector, a signal analyzer, a signal processor, and an image processor. The signal analyzer receives, from the wave detector, an output signal representative of the distribution of the chromophores or their properties in target areas of the medium. The signal analyzer analyzes amplitudes of the output signal and selects multiple points of the output signal having substantially similar amplitudes.