Abstract: Methods and apparatus for classifying tissue use features of Raman spectra and background fluorescent spectra. The spectra may be acquired in the near-infrared wavelengths. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis of reference spectra may be used to obtain a classification function that accepts features of the Raman and background fluorescence spectra for test tissue and yields an indication as to the likelihood that the test tissue is abnormal. The methods and apparatus may be applied to screening for skin cancers or other diseases.

Abstract: A respiratory mechanics measuring module includes a flow sensor, a differential-pressure sensor and a sampled-signal processing circuit which are connected in series. The module further includes a flow sensor reverse connection judging module and an alarm. The flow sensor reverse connection judging module judges the reverse connection of the flow sensor. The alarm gives an alarm signal indicating the flow sensor reverse connection to the main controller when the flow sensor reverse connection judging module judges that the flow sensor is reversedly connected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for classifying tissue use features of Raman spectra and background fluorescent spectra. The spectra may be acquired in the near-infrared wavelengths. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis of reference spectra may be used to obtain a classification function that accepts features of the Raman and background fluorescence spectra for test tissue and yields an indication as to the likelihood that the test tissue is abnormal. The methods and apparatus may be applied to screening for skin cancers or other diseases.

Abstract: A method for judging the reverse connection of a flow sensor comprises the steps of: collecting a time sequence of pressure intensity x1, x2, x3 and x4 at four consecutive sampling points of time and the flow value S corresponding to that time sequence as basis for judgment; calculating three variables dx1=x1?x2, dx2=x2?x3 and dx3=x3?x4; judging a reverse connection of the flow sensor and giving an alarm signal when any one of the two instances appears: 1) x1, x2 and x3 are all smaller than zero and x1 and x3 are equal to or greater than x2, and flow value S is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value f1; 2) dx1, dx2 and dx3 are all greater than zero and dx1 and dx3 are smaller than or equal to dx2, and flow value S is greater than a predetermined second threshold value f2.

Abstract: Spectral measurement devices and methods able to provide EEMs and other spectral measurements. The devices rapidly and specifically illuminate a sample and detect resulting light emanating from the sample. Such devices can use acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) to selectively illuminate the sample with illumination light substantially only in a desired illumination wavelength(s). This provides high detection sensitivity, large measurement dynamic range and scans of the full 400-1000 nm light range (or more) at rates as fast as about 1 second, or even as fast as video rates. In another aspect, methods and systems relating to the analysis of autofluorescence emanating from melanin under long wavelength visible light (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) excitation.