Abstract: A system and method to improve astigmatism correction and collimation of a laser beam generated by a diode in a low-level laser therapy system, but without using a complex optical configuration. A first divergent lens is a cylindrical lens. The divergence of the first lens is applied in the direction in which the diode's beam has relatively small divergence. The first lens creates divergence in the beam in a first axis, which divergence approximates the divergence in the perpendicular second axis. This first axis divergence corrects the astigmatism in the optical system of the therapy apparatus. The therapy apparatus thus can emit a beam with an elliptical cross-section with an axes ratio of less than 2:1, despite a high axes ratio of the beam originated by the diode. A second lens of the system and method is a collimating lens with elliptical shape adapted to maximize emitted beam collimation.

Abstract: Pathogen detection includes providing a sensor having first conductive lines alternated with second conductive lines, the first and second lines being formed over a substrate providing electrical isolation between the first and second lines and being at least partially exposed. Via voltage circuitry, a voltage difference is applied between the first and second lines. A user's breath is applied to the sensor and contacts exposed parts of the first lines simultaneous to exposed parts of the second lines. Pathogens from the user's breath bridge the electrical isolation between an individual first line and an opposing, individual second line and cause a short circuit. Via a comparator or controller, a current is detected flowing in the first and second lines due to the short circuit through the pathogens. A warning module indicates that the comparator or controller detected that the current is above a warning threshold.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for use in combination with a known low-level laser therapy device. The apparatus is attachable to the front portion of, and operable with, a low-level laser therapy device for passing coherent light past the fur of an animal patient. The apparatus has a body with a plurality of pins that can be pushed through the fur, and which transmit a low-level laser therapy light to skin of the animal. The pins are composed of material that transmits the required light wavelength to the animal's skin.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present methods measure a concentration of a substance, such as glucose, in a body. The described embodiments change the temperature of the surface of a body from a first temperature to a second temperature, then change the temperature of the surface of the body from the second temperature back to the first temperature, and measure a first amount of infrared (“IR”) radiation absorbed or emitted from the surface of the body in a first wavelength band, and a second amount of IR radiation absorbed or emitted from the surface of the body in a second wavelength band at predetermined time intervals during the time period that the temperature of the surface of the body changes from the second temperature back to the first temperature. The described embodiments also measure a temperature at the surface of the body and an ambient temperature.

Abstract: A substance concentration monitoring method includes inserting a temperature probe noninvasively into a volume of a body in which a concentration of a substance is to be measured. An internal temperature of the volume is measured and an internal temperature signal is produced. An incident first near infrared beam in a first wavelength band is directed from a light source into a portion of the volume, the first wavelength band including a wavelength at which an absorption peak exists in a NIR absorption spectrum of the substance. An incident second NIR beam in a second wavelength band is directed from the light source into the portion of the volume, the substance exhibiting no absorption or negligible absorption in the second wavelength band. Substance concentration is calculated based on values corresponding to the internal temperature signal, a first and second initial power signal, and a first and second material absorption signal.

Abstract: A scanning mechanism to scan a light source, such as a low-level laser, to create a desirable energy distribution on a treatment area. The light source may include multiple light beam generators, each having a different wavelength and each having a different energy distribution. The scanning mechanism can be programmable to scan in different patterns in accordance with a desired treatment.

Abstract: A substance concentration analysis method includes calculating a difference for the particular time between a first measured amount of mid-infrared (MIR) radiation absorbed by or emitted from a body in a first wavelength and a second measured amount of MIR radiation absorbed by or emitted from the body in a second wavelength, calculating a quotient including a dividend based on the difference divided by a divisor based on a dT/dt value, and calculating the concentration of the substance in the body based on a correlation with the quotient.

Abstract: A system and method to improve astigmatism correction and collimation of a laser beam generated by a diode in a low-level laser therapy system, but without using a complex optical configuration. A first divergent lens is a cylindrical lens. The divergence of the first lens is applied in the direction in which the diode's beam has relatively small divergence. The first lens creates divergence in the beam in a first axis, which divergence approximates the divergence in the perpendicular second axis. This first axis divergence corrects the astigmatism in the optical system of the therapy apparatus. The therapy apparatus thus can emit a beam with an elliptical cross-section with an axes ratio of less than 2:1, despite a high axes ratio of the beam originated by the diode. A second lens of the system and method is a collimating lens with elliptical shape adapted to maximize emitted beam collimation.

Abstract: A substance concentration monitoring method includes inducing a periodic change in a body surface temperature over time using a heating and/or cooling element and yielding a function of temperature that varies with time so as to exhibit a temperature derivative with respect to time that oscillates periodically. Mid-infrared radiation absorbed or emitted from the body is measured while the surface of the body exhibits the oscillating, periodic derivative. The method includes determining a measured value based on the MIR radiation measurements and determining a concentration of a substance in the body based on a correlation with the measured value. A substance concentration monitoring apparatus includes a processor that initiates operations continuously monitoring whether the concentration or the measured value are within a tolerance. The operations further include generating a warning output when the concentration or the measured value is outside the tolerance.

Abstract: A substance concentration analysis method includes calculating a difference for the particular time between a first measured amount of mid-infrared (MIR) radiation absorbed by or emitted from a body in a first wavelength and a second measured amount of MIR radiation absorbed by or emitted from the body in a second wavelength, calculating a quotient including a dividend based on the difference divided by a divisor based on a dT/dt value, and calculating the concentration of the substance in the body based on a correlation with the quotient.

Abstract: An eye safety system, based on retro-reflection from the eye, to shut off a laser source in a short time to avoid approaching the hazard level of the eye. In the event of an accidental direction of laser light toward a nearby eye, the system rapidly collects and detects laser light that retroflects from the retina of the eye. Upon detecting the retroflected light, a comparator/processor assembly signals to switch off the laser source to terminate the hazard to the eye.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for use in combination with a known low-level laser therapy device. The apparatus is attachable to the front portion of, and operable with, a low-level laser therapy device for passing coherent light past the fur of an animal patient. The apparatus has a body with a plurality of pins that can be pushed through the fur, and which transmit a low-level laser therapy light to skin of the animal. The pins are composed of material that transmits the required light wavelength to the animal's skin.

Abstract: A concentration correction system includes an infrared detector and components that produce an aggregate emission of infrared radiation. A mirror assembly includes a mirror and is changeable between a correcting configuration and a measuring configuration. In the correcting configuration, the mirror produces a mirror signal incident on the detector. The mirror assembly also obstructs external body infrared radiation from reaching the detector. In the measuring configuration, the mirror assembly allows the external body infrared radiation onto the detector. A concentration correction method includes receiving external body infrared radiation and simultaneously receiving a first portion of the aggregate emission. A measurement value indicative of concentration is recorded from the detector. A second portion of the aggregate emission reflected with the mirror and produces a mirror signal incident on the detector.

Abstract: A hand-held therapeutic laser apparatus with a special opto-mechanical construction, which enables changeability of a front collimating lens to create different effective laser apertures. A smaller effective aperture has a comparatively higher radiant flux density for treatment of a small area that requires a higher energy dose, while a larger effective aperture facilitates treatment of a large area at a relatively reduced radiant intensity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present methods measure a concentration of a substance, such as glucose, in a body. The described embodiments change the temperature of the surface of a body from a first temperature to a second temperature, then change the temperature of the surface of the body from the second temperature back to the first temperature, and measure a first amount of infrared (“IR”) radiation absorbed or emitted from the surface of the body in a first wavelength band, and a second amount of IR radiation absorbed or emitted from the surface of the body in a second wavelength band at predetermined time intervals during the time period that the temperature of the surface of the body changes from the second temperature back to the first temperature. The described embodiments also measure a temperature at the surface of the body and an ambient temperature.

Abstract: A substance concentration monitoring method includes inserting a temperature probe noninvasively into a volume of a body in which a concentration of a substance is to be measured. An internal temperature of the volume is measured and an internal temperature signal is produced. An incident first near infrared beam in a first wavelength band is directed from a light source into a portion of the volume, the first wavelength band including a wavelength at which an absorption peak exists in a NIR absorption spectrum of the substance. An incident second NIR beam in a second wavelength band is directed from the light source into the portion of the volume, the substance exhibiting no absorption or negligible absorption in the second wavelength band. Substance concentration is calculated based on values corresponding to the internal temperature signal, a first and second initial power signal, and a first and second material absorption signal.

Abstract: An eye safety system, based on retro-reflection from the eye, to shut off a laser source in a short time to avoid approaching the hazard level of the eye. In the event of an accidental direction of laser light toward a nearby eye, the system rapidly collects and detects laser light that retroflects from the retina of the eye. Upon detecting the retroflected light, a comparator/processor assembly signals to switch off the laser source to terminate the hazard to the eye.

Abstract: A handheld, low-level laser apparatus includes a laser diode configured to generate a laser emission having an astigmatism. The apparatus further includes one or more corrective lens configured alone or in combination to correct the astigmatism and to collimate the laser emission, a divergence lens configured to diverge the laser emission after the laser emission passes through the one or more corrective lens, and a front lens configured to collimate the laser emission after the laser emission passes through the divergence lens. A low-level laser beam producing method includes repeatedly directing an IR laser emission through a series of lenses during a first set of time periods and repeatedly directing a visible laser emission through the series of lenses during a second set of time periods, each time period of the first set of time periods being distinct from each time period of the second set of time periods.

Abstract: A substance concentration analysis method includes calculating a difference for the particular time between a first measured amount of mid-infrared (MIR) radiation absorbed by or emitted from a body in a first wavelength and a second measured amount of MIR radiation absorbed by or emitted from the body in a second wavelength, calculating a quotient including a dividend based on the difference divided by a divisor based on a dT/dt value, and calculating the concentration of the substance in the body based on a correlation with the quotient.

Abstract: A system includes a light source and a light detector. The system further includes a first optical system configured to direct a transmitted portion of light onto the detector. The first optical system is further configured to block a scattered portion of the light. The system also includes a second optical system configured to direct the transmitted and scattered portions of the light onto the detector.