Utilizing A Spectrometer Patents (Class 356/326)
  • Publication number: 20140063497
    Abstract: A spectral characteristic measurement apparatus includes a spectrometer for spatially dispersing incident light depending on wavelengths and a detection portion for receiving light dispersed by the spectrometer. The detection portion includes a first detection area on which a component in a first wavelength range is incident and a second detection area on which a component in a second wavelength range is incident. The apparatus includes a correction portion for correcting stray light detected by the detection portion derived from light to be measured. The correction portion corrects a stray light pattern based on a first amount of change with respect to wavelengths in the first wavelength range of the stray light pattern and a second amount of change with respect to wavelengths included in a result of detection in the first detection area of the detection portion, to calculate a stray light component derived from the light to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SANO, Suguru IRIE, Tsutomu MIZUGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8666202
    Abstract: A system for measuring properties of a thin film coated glass having a light source, a spectrometer, at least one pair of probes, a first optical fiber switch and a second optical fiber switch. The pair of probes includes a first probe located on one side of a glass sheet and a second probe located on the opposite side of the glass sheet, directly across from the first probe. The first and second optical fiber switches are adapted to couple either probe to the light source and/or the spectrometer. Because the design of the system is optically symmetrical, calibration may be performed without the use of a reference material such as a tile or mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Jordan B. Lagerman, Keith J. Burrows, Kyle R. Thering
  • Patent number: 8666113
    Abstract: Disclosed methods include: acquiring a first sequence of multiple images of a sample, with each image in the first sequence corresponding to a different spectral weighting function; unmixing the first sequence of images into data corresponding to a first set of unmixed images, where each unmixed image in the first set corresponds to a spatial distribution in the sample of a different one of multiple components at a first time; acquiring one or more additional images of the sample and combining the additional images with one or more of the images in the first sequence to form a second sequence of images; unmixing the second sequence of images into data corresponding to a second set of unmixed images; and displaying information about the sample as a function of time based on the data corresponding to the first and second sets of unmixed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Research & Instrumentation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Determan, Peter J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8660332
    Abstract: Multimodal or multispectral images of cells comprising a population of cells are simultaneously collected. Photometric and/or morphometric image features identifiable in the images are used to identify differences between first and second populations of cells. The differences can include changes in a relative percentage of different cell types in each population, or a change in a first type of cell present in the first population of cells and the same type of cell in the second population of cells. The changes may be indicative of a disease state, indicative of a relative effectiveness of a therapy, or indicative of a health of the person from whom the cells populations were obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Amnis Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Ortyn, David A. Basiji, Philip J. Morrissey, Thaddeus C. George, Brian E. Hall, Cathleen A. Zimmerman, David J. Perry
  • Patent number: 8654327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer for analyzing the optical emission of a sample by means of pulsed excitation of an optical spectral emission, having an excitation source, a gap arrangement, at least one dispersive element and having detectors for the emitted spectrum, in which two beam paths are provided with two dispersive elements, the first dispersive element of which images the spectrum of the emission onto a number of spatially resolving detectors and the second dispersive element of which images the spectrum of the emission onto a number of time-resolving detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Spectro Analytical Instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Bohle, Ulrich Heynen
  • Patent number: 8654328
    Abstract: Devices and methods for hyperspectral and multispectral imaging are discussed. In particular, Image Mapping Spectrometer systems, methods of use, and methods of manufacture are presented. Generally, an image mapping spectrometer comprises an image mapping field unit, a spectral separation unit, and a selective imager. Image mapping spectrometers may be used in spectral imaging of optical samples. In some embodiments, the image mapping field unit of an image mapping spectrometer may be manufactured with surface shaped diamond tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Tomasz S. Tkaczyk, Robert T. Kester, Liang Gao
  • Patent number: 8649008
    Abstract: Combined spectral and polarimetry imaging and diagnostic techniques are disclosed, including an imaging system that simultaneously records spatially co-registered spectral and polarization information from an image of a target scene such as an ocular structure or material or device in an around the eye. Image acquisition and image calibration by such an imaging system or an imaging spectrometer or polarimeter are also disclosed. Methods of data storage and image display relevant to medical practice in general and ophthalmology practice specifically are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: University of Southern California, Doheny Eye Institute
    Inventors: Amir H. Kashani, Mark S. Humayun
  • Patent number: 8643838
    Abstract: An emission spectrophotometer capable of inhibiting non-uniformity of spectral intensities of component elements is provided. The emission spectrophotometer generates pulse light emission by supplying an energy accumulated in an electricity accumulating and discharging unit to a gap between an electrode and a test material, and the emission spectrophotometer includes a detection unit, for detecting an energy charged to the electricity accumulating and discharging unit before the pulse light emission; and a detection unit, for detecting an energy remaining in the electricity accumulating and discharging unit after the pulse light emission. It is determined whether the detected light is emitted by fully using the energy accumulated in the electricity accumulating and discharging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Habu, Eizo Kawato
  • Patent number: 8643841
    Abstract: A method for optically inspecting a specimen by directing a probe beam onto the specimen at varying angle of incidence and azimuth angle, thereby producing a reflected probe beam, gathering the reflected probe beam, separating the reflected probe beam as a function of wavelength, adding astigmatism to separate the reflected probe beam as a function of at least one of the angle of incidence and the azimuth angle, and evaluating the specimen based at least on changes in the reflected probe beam as a function of wavelength of the reflected probe beam and at least one of the angle of incidence and the azimuth angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Rotter, David Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 8643839
    Abstract: A spectrometer is provided with an integrating sphere 20, inside which a sample S of a measurement target is disposed and which is adapted for observing measured light emitted from the sample S, and a Dewar vessel 50 which retains a refrigerant R for cooling the sample S and at least a portion of which is located so as to face the interior of the integrating sphere 20. Gas generated from the refrigerant R is introduced through predetermined gaps G1-G6 functioning as a gas introduction path and through a plurality of communicating passages 64 formed in a support pedestal 61, into the integrating sphere 20. The gas introduced into the integrating sphere 20 absorbs water in the integrating sphere 20 to decrease the temperature in the integrating sphere 20, so as to prevent dew condensation from occurring on a portion of a second container portion 50b of the Dewar vessel 50 exposed in the integrating sphere 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuya Iguchi, Kengo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140022546
    Abstract: A Fourier transform spectrometer (Da) of the invention extracts, in generating an integrated interferogram obtained by integrating a plurality of interferograms, an output of an interferometer (11a) within a predetermined range according to positioning information of a center burst in an interferogram measured at a time before measurement of an interferogram at the present time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiroh Nagai, Toshio Kawano
  • Publication number: 20140022545
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for obtaining suspended particle information are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes emitting light from a light source, dividing the light source into a first path and a second path, and directing the first path to a first container comprising a plurality of particles in a suspension material. The example method also includes directing the second path to a second container containing a suspension material devoid of particles, retrieving a first transmission value of the first path through the first container, and retrieving a second transmission value of the second path through the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC
    Inventors: Steven Ruggiero, Carol Tanner
  • Publication number: 20140022544
    Abstract: Miniature spectrometers produce low resolution spectral data due to their size limitations. A method for processing these spectral data is proposed. The spectral data from a low resolution spectrometer is enhanced to a higher resolution, or processed to be in the wavelength domain. This process is called spectrum reconstruction, and can be used in low cost and miniature spectrometers with limited spectral resolution. The proposed method is noise robust, adapts to input spectrum, and can be used across many types of spectrometric devices without any manual adjustment of parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: NanoLambda, Inc.
    Inventors: Umpei Kurokawa, Cheng Chun Chang, Byung Ii Choi
  • Patent number: 8625088
    Abstract: Provided are an integrating sphere photometer and a measuring method of the same. The integrating sphere photometer includes an integrating sphere including a left hemisphere and a right hemisphere, a photometer disposed on the center surface of the right hemisphere, a photometer baffle disposed in front of the photometer to be spaced apart therefrom, a light source to be tested disposed at the center region of the integrating sphere to illuminate light to at least an illumination region of the left hemisphere, an auxiliary lamp part disposed in the vicinity of a contact region between the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere to illuminate light to the illumination region, and an auxiliary lamp baffle disposed around the auxiliary lamp part to prevent the light emitted from the light source to be tested from being directly illuminated to the auxiliary lamp part and also to prevent the light emitted from the auxiliary lamp part from being directly illuminated to the light source to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Korean Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Seongchong Park, Dong Hoon Lee, Seung Nam Park
  • Publication number: 20140002809
    Abstract: A simple and compact apparatus, and a method, for determining the characteristics of a number of fluids used in the truck and automotive industries including coolant, bio-diesel, gas-ethanol and diesel engine fluid (DEF). The apparatus includes a sample container providing optical paths of different lengths for making measurements on a sample. The dual path length design allows the apparatus to capture both NIR and UV spectral ranges. The qualitative and quantitative properties of the fluid under test are compared to test results under normal conditions or to the properties of unused fluid. Two light sources are used within a spectrometer with each source being associated with a different optical path length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: James GREER, Robert J. GUTHRIE, John COATES
  • Publication number: 20140002819
    Abstract: An optical microscope capable of performing measurement with a high resolution and a spectrometry method are provided. A spectrometry device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a Y-scanning unit that scans a spot position of the light beam on the sample, a beam splitter that separates, among the light beam incident on the sample, outgoing light, the outgoing light being emitted with a different wavelength, a spectroscope that spatially disperses the outgoing light separated by the beam splitter according to the wavelength, a detector that detects the outgoing light dispersed by the spectroscope, and a pinhole array 30 disposed on an incoming side of the spectroscope, a plurality of pinholes being arranged in the pinhole array, the plurality of pinholes being adapted to allow outgoing light to pass therethrough to the spectroscope side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: NANOPHOTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawata, Minoru Kobayashi, Taisuke Ota
  • Publication number: 20140002817
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a microscope objective focused on a microscope field of view; a light source including a laser generating an astigmatic beam and optics configured to couple the astigmatic beam into the microscope objective to produce high aspect ratio illumination at the microscope field of view; and a data acquisition system configured to generate data pertaining to light emanating from the microscope field of view responsive to the high aspect ratio illumination. The apparatus may be a Raman spectroscopy system. The laser may be an edge emitting laser. The optics of the light source may include an aspherical lens arranged to compensate the astigmatism of the astigmatic beam. The optics of the light source may include a diffraction grating arranged respective to the laser to provide feedback reducing a spectral full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the astigmatic beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Bradley B. Ross, Andrew P. Bartko
  • Patent number: 8619260
    Abstract: A multi-grating resonant waveguide (RWG) biosensor for an optical reader system having a spatial resolution limit is disclosed. The multi-grating RWG biosensor includes one or more signal-grating regions and one or more reference-grating regions. The multi-grating RWG biosensor can also include a non-resonance region that spatially separates the one or more signal-grating regions, that spatially separates the one or more reference-grating regions, and that spatially separates the one or more reference-grating regions from the one or more signal-grating regions. The non-resonance region can have a minimum width greater than the optical reader system spatial resolution limit. The RWG biosensor can have an asymmetric split-grating configuration. Methods of measuring a signal resonant wavelength of a multi-grating RWG biosensor using an optical reader having a spatial resolution limit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R Matejka, Robert Adam Modavis, David Andrew Pastel, Garrett Andrew Piech, Christopher L. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20130342836
    Abstract: A method of comb-based spectroscopy for measuring a CW source at time-bandwidth limited resolution by using frequency combs with a high degree of mutual coherence (<1 radian phase noise).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicants: America, as Represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Nathan R. Newbury, Ian Coddington, William C. Swann
  • Publication number: 20130335737
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for electrically-augmented damping of an actuator and associated devices. In particular, electrically-augmented damping derived from measurement of voltage across an actuator and current flowing through an actuator is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SMITHS DETECTION INC.
    Inventor: John T. Stein
  • Publication number: 20130335736
    Abstract: An optical scanning system may include a moving sample positioning stage that supports the sample during an optical measurement of the sample using the light source and the spectrometer. The moving sample positioning stage may move the sample in at least one direction during the optical measurement of the sample. A scatterometer system may include collection imaging optics for imaging the reflected light onto a multi-pixel sensor that collects and analyze the reflected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Ivan Maleev
  • Publication number: 20130321805
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) used in connection with the manufacture of thin film semiconductor materials (26) deposited on generally transparent substrates (28), such as photovoltaic cells, for monitoring a property of the thin film (26), such as its temperature, surface roughness, thickness and/or optical absorption properties. A spectral curve (44) derived from diffusely scattered light (34, 34?) emanating from the film (26) reveals a characteristic optical absorption (Urbach) edge. Among other things, the absorption edge is useful to assess relative surface roughness conditions between discrete material samples (22) or different locations within the same material sample (22). By comparing the absorption edge qualities of two or more spectral curves, a qualitative assessment can be made to determine whether the surface roughness of the film (26) may be considered of good or poor quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: k-Space Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl Barlett, Barry D. Wissman, Charles A Taylor, II
  • Publication number: 20130321802
    Abstract: Wavelength information indicating a correspondence relationship between a plurality of light receiving elements of a light receiving unit and wavelengths of pieces of lights is stored. First and second intensity distributions of the light related to first and second dispersion images are acquired based on a signal outputted from each of the light receiving elements when a monochromatic light is passed through a opening of a light shielding body and first and second dispersion images related to primary and secondary diffracted light are formed on the light receiving unit. An estimated intensity distribution of the light related to the second dispersion image is calculated from the first intensity distribution according to a predetermined relational expression. A change amount related to the wavelength information is calculated based on the estimated intensity distribution and the second intensity distribution. The wavelength information is corrected according to the change amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Kenji Imura
  • Patent number: 8599388
    Abstract: Methods and computer program products for super-resolution mapping of nanoprobes having spectrally distinguishable coherent scattering properties. A sample containing a plurality of nanoprobes is illuminated with broadband light, and coherent scattering by the nanoprobes is detected. Scattered light is spectrally associated with respective nanoprobes, allowing a position associated with each nanoprobe to be mapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Thpomas van Dijk, David Mayerich, Rohit Bhargava, Paul Scott Carney
  • Publication number: 20130314703
    Abstract: An tunable optical frequency comb source includes a linear waveguide having an input leg to couple to a pump laser. A ring microresonator is evanescently coupled to the linear waveguide. The microresonator includes a ring shaped waveguide having a core material with a nonlinear refractive index to provide four-wave mixing to generate a cascade of independent laser beams at frequencies corresponding to the longitudinal modes of the microresonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Cox
  • Patent number: 8593630
    Abstract: Described herein are spectrometers comprising one or more wavelength-selective filters, such as guided mode resonance filters. Some of the spectrometers described herein are configured for obtaining absorbance spectra in a discrete fashion by measuring absorbances of a sample at multiple discrete wavelengths or wavelength bands. In another aspect, methods are also provided for obtaining spectra, images and chemical maps of samples in a discrete fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Rohit Bhargava, Brian T. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8587779
    Abstract: A spectrometer 1A is provided with an integrating sphere 20 for observing measured light emitted from a sample S of a measurement target, and a Dewar vessel 50 which retains a medium R for regulating temperature of the sample S, so as to cover the sample S and a second container portion 50b of which is located so as to face the interior of the integrating sphere 20. The sample S can be easily regulated at a desired temperature with the use of the Dewar vessel 50 retaining the medium R so as to cover the sample S. As the second container portion 50b is located so as to face the interior of the integrating sphere 20, the temperature of the sample S is regulated by the medium R, while inhibiting an external ambience around the integrating sphere from affecting the sample S. Therefore, the sample S can be efficiently regulated at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuya Iguchi, Kengo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130301046
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of monitoring laser safety by sensing contact of the system with a sample are provided. The system includes a focusing element for focusing an incident light from a laser light source onto a sample, an optical element having a collection zone for collecting a signal from the sample, a reflected light sensor for sensing a reflected light from the sample, wherein the reflected light sensor is located outside the collection zone of the optical element and on an inner surface of a housing of the system, an electrical circuit operably connected to the reflected light sensor and the laser light source and configured to control power to the laser light source in accordance with the reflected light sensed by the reflected light sensor and a spectral analyzer for processing the signal. Methods and other systems are also described and illustrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: C8 MEDISENSORS INC.
    Inventor: Janyce Lipson
  • Patent number: 8582099
    Abstract: A monitoring network system for inspecting and controlling harmful substances includes probe assemblies that each includes a sensor comprising nano structured surfaces or nano particles in a solution, configured to adsorb molecules of a sample material captured adjacent to the sensor, a laser that can emit a laser beam to illuminate the molecules adsorbed to the nano structured surfaces, a spectrometer that can produce spectral data from light scattered by the molecules adsorbed to the nano structured surfaces, and a ID reader that can retrieve identification information about the sample material. A central office can determine a spectral signature matching spectral signatures stored in a database and to identify a harmful substance in the sample material. An alert and response system can send out an alert signal about the sample material when the harmful substance is identified in the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: OptoTrace Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xun Guo, Hong Wang, Chunwei Liu
  • Patent number: 8583216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for objectively measuring skin phototype by reflectance spectrophotometry. The improved method correlates well with clinician-based assessments and is non-invasive, rapid and accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lynn K. Pershing, Sancy A. Leachman, Laurence J. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130293886
    Abstract: In an arrangement to optically illuminate and/or to perform measurements in a sample stream through a flange which is arranged in the sample stream and closes off a hollow space against the sample stream, there is a continuous loss of material due to abrasion of wall particles, and the flange therefore has to be exchanged on a regular basis. The invention has the purpose of reducing the wear on the flange. To meet this objective, a part of the wall extending along a closed loop around the hollow space (3) consists of an elastomeric body (2.3). This concept makes it possible for the flange or at least for a part of the flange to elastically back away under a concentrated load. Thus, the rate of abrasion of the wall by the sample stream is reduced, because a large part of the incoming energy is converted to heat in the elastomeric body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Nico Correns, Marion Sobe
  • Publication number: 20130293885
    Abstract: An anamorphotic telescope has mutually different magnification along directions of minimum and maximum magnification in an image plane. A spectroscope with an elongated input slit directed along one of the directions of maximum and minimum magnification may be located in the image plane. The anamorphotic telescope has a first and second reflector lens with mutually different first and second radii of curvature in directions (y, x) that optically correspond to directions of minimum and maximum magnification. At least one of the first and second reflector lens has a variable radius of curvature in one direction (x), which varies as a function of position in the other direction (y), the variable radius of curvature decreasing in a direction of the angle from the view direction to the light directed by the first reflector lens to the second reflector lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Huibert Visser, Borgert Kruizinva, Michiel David Nijkerk
  • Publication number: 20130286390
    Abstract: An optical emission spectrometer system includes a light source and a dichroic beam combiner. The light source emits first light in a first direction and second light in a second direction different from the first direction. The dichroic beam combiner receives the first light via a first light path and the second light via a second light path, reflects a portion the first light into an entrance aperture of a light detection and measurement apparatus, and transmits a portion of the second light into the entrance aperture, enabling analysis and measurement of both first and second light characteristics simultaneously. The portion of the first light reflected into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a first range of wavelengths and the portion of the second light transmitted into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a second range of wavelengths, different from the first range of wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Bolles, Yin Sheng Sun, Lindsay Buck, Glyn Russell
  • Patent number: 8570508
    Abstract: A probe for monitoring a pressurised process space includes a casing enclosing a cavity and having a first window configured to be brought into contact with the process space, and a second window. A sealing means is configured to seal the first window to the casing. At least once coupling line is disposed within the cavity between the first and second windows and is configured to guide electromagnetic radiation entering through one of the two windows to the other of the two windows. A method for monitoring a pressurised process space, in which one or more hazardous substances occur, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Andreas Rose, Martin Gotter, Thomas Schwindack, Christoph Schwinning, Patrick Eckert, Holm Kändler, Christof-Krzysztof Koltunski, Hannes Ebding
  • Patent number: 8571297
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Herbert A. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20130278932
    Abstract: Large digital displays for entertainment, architectural and advertising displays have interconnected display panels with pluralities of light emitting elements. To solve calibration problems, each of the display panels stores measured luminance and chromaticity data for each of the light emitting elements of the panel. The luminance data is independent of the chromaticity data. A central controller can then perform calibration procedures so that the light emitting elements are matched across the entire display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Grant Arthur John Elliott
  • Patent number: 8564773
    Abstract: In a spectroscopy module 1, a light passing hole 50 through which a light L1 advancing to a spectroscopic portion 4 passes is formed in a light detecting element 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the relative positional relationship between the light passing hole 50 and a light detecting portion 5a of the light detecting element 5 from deviating. Moreover, the light detecting element 5 is bonded to a front plane 2a of a substrate 2 with an optical resin adhesive 63. Thus, it is possible to reduce a stress generated onto the light detecting element 5 due to a thermal expansion difference between the light detecting element 5 and the substrate 2. Additionally, on the light detecting element 5, a first convex portion 101 is formed so as to be located at least between the light detecting portion 5a and the light passing hole 50 when viewed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the front plane 2a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibayama, Tomofumi Suzuki, Masaki Hirose
  • Patent number: 8564771
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus associates a pixel position and a wavelength of a spectrometer sensor. In calibrating the sensor, the calibration apparatus searches for a first pixel value corresponding to a bright line spectrum of incident light by a first search method based on the pixel value corresponding to the incident light acquired by the sensor and searches for a second pixel value corresponding to the bright line spectrum of the incident light by a second search method based on the pixel value corresponding to the incident light acquired by the sensor. The calibration apparatus associates either one of a first pixel position and a second pixel position with the wavelength of the bright line spectrum of the incident light. The calibration apparatus can appropriately acquire a correspondence relation between a detection position and a wavelength even if the correspondence relation has varied due to aging or changes in the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisato Sekine
  • Patent number: 8564775
    Abstract: An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Wein, James D. Targove, David J. Korwan
  • Patent number: 8553224
    Abstract: Optical fibers are utilized to provide high efficiency, spatially resolved coupling of light from collection optics to an imaging spectrometer. In particular, a micro lens array may be utilized to couple light from multiple spatial locations into individual optical fibers. At the opposite end of the fiber bundle, the fibers are packed tightly together to send the light into an imaging spectrograph. The light that enters this spectrograph maintains its spatial separation, for instance, along the array dimension and is spectrally dispersed, for instance, along a dimension orthogonal to the array dimension. This spatially separated, wavelength resolved light can then be recorded on a two dimensional detector such as a CCD camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: C. Alexander Morrow, Theodore J. Ronningen
  • Publication number: 20130258333
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein correct errors in spectrometer outputs due to the presence of second-order light. Embodiments determine a relationship between first-order light and second-order light of the spectrometer output. The relationship is a function of wavelength and an output of the spectrometer due to the first-order light. The relationship is used to determine an estimated contribution of the second-order light to the output. Spectrometer errors introduced by the second-order light are corrected by adjusting the spectrometer output according to the estimated contribution of the second-order light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Scott A. CHALMERS, Randall S. GEELS
  • Patent number: 8547536
    Abstract: The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatizing the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Sandro D'Ascenzi, Giuseppe De Conciliis, Claudia Magagnoli, Giovanni Luigi Mattioli
  • Patent number: 8547544
    Abstract: A multichannel photometric measurement apparatus according to one embodiment includes: a single signal generator for generating an initial signal, the initial signal containing a harmonic component for collectively generating a plurality of modulation signals; a light emitting device including a plurality of light sources that are respectively drivable by each of the plurality of modulation signals having different frequencies; a light detector for detecting a plurality of kinds of light emitted from the light emitting device; and discriminating means for discriminating a detected signal output from the light detector per frequency domain of each of the different frequencies for each of the modulation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kumiko Horikoshi, Yasushi Ichizawa, Shigeyuki Kakuta, Kazufumi Nishida
  • Patent number: 8548219
    Abstract: Photometric and morphometric features derived from multi-mode imagery of cells in flow are used as a cell analyzer to determine if a marker corresponding to a cancer cell or precancerous cell is present in the population of cells imaged. An imaging system simultaneously acquires a plurality of images for each cell passing through the field of view of the imaging system. Acquiring a plurality of different images (i.e., bright field, dark field, and fluorescent images) facilitates the determination of different morphological and morphometric parameters. Simultaneously acquiring the plurality of images enables relatively large populations of cells to be rapidly imaged, so that relatively small numbers of cancer cells in a large population of cells can be detected. Initially, known cancer cells are imaged to enable a marker to be identified. Then, a sample that may include cancer cells is imaged to determine if the marker is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Amnis Corporation
    Inventors: William Ortyn, David Basiji, Luchuan Liang, Vidya Venkatachalam, Philip Morrissey
  • Patent number: 8547550
    Abstract: A fluorescence-cued Raman identification system comprises a collection subsystem to collect samples, a reagent treatment subsystem to treat collected samples and a fluorescence imaging subsystem that automatically takes at least one image of the collected sample. The subsystems further include a Raman spectroscopy subsystem that measures the spectrum of viable organisms located from at least one collected image, a visible imaging microscope subsystem that provides a visual image of the particle analyzed by the Raman spectroscopy subsystem and a processor configured to perform image processing to locate viable organisms within the sample, which are targeted by the Raman spectroscopy subsystem. The processor further analyzes the spectrum recorded by the Raman spectroscopy subsystem to make a preliminary identification of the targeted organisms, which can be verified by an operator using the visible imaging microscope subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20130250294
    Abstract: A system comprising a calibration light source is described. The system includes a calibration optical fiber coupled to an output of the calibration light source and to an input slit of a spectrometer. The calibration optical fiber transmits light output of the calibration light source to the spectrometer via the slit. An input optical fiber is coupled to the input slit in addition to the calibration optical fiber. The input optical fiber transmits light-under-test to the spectrometer via the slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Scott A. CHALMERS
  • Patent number: 8531662
    Abstract: A device and method for optically examining the interior of turbid media including acts of spatially separating a plurality of wavelength bands contained in a broad-band light; separately modulating the plurality of wavelength bands; recombining the plurality of modulated wavelength bands to a beam of spectrally encoded broad-band light; illuminating a turbid medium with the beam of spectrally encoded broad-band light; detecting light emanating from the turbid medium with a detector and demodulating the detected light with a demodulator to provide spectroscopic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Martinus Bernardus Van Der Mark
  • Patent number: 8530824
    Abstract: A scanning microscope is provided with a scan unit that scans a sample, the scanning microscope including: a transmissive VPH grating for dispersing light from the sample; and a photodetector for detecting the light diffracted by the VPH grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya Miyazono, Daisuke Nishiwaki, Shinichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8525988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized spectrometer for investigating the spectrum of emission radiation excited in an object by incident radiation. For the miniaturized spectrometer according to the invention, a diode laser is preferably used as an edge emitter (without a perforated shutter). The window of the edge emitter is arranged at the focal point of the converging lens at the input of the illuminating beam path (without an optical fiber), preferably without a perforated shutter. The edge emitter produces a divergent beam pencil with an elliptical cross-section. The length ratio of the main axes of the ellipse is more than 2:1. The large main axis of the ellipse runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the entry slit of the microspectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim microParts GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Schoenfelder, Andreas Bablich, Dirk Baxmann, Robert James Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8525989
    Abstract: A spectroscopic measurement apparatus comprises an integrating sphere in which a sample is located, an irradiation light supplying section supplying excitation light via an entrance aperture to the interior of the integrating sphere, a sample container holding the sample in the interior of the integrating sphere, a spectroscopic analyzer dispersing the light to be measured from an exit aperture and obtaining a wavelength spectrum, and a data analyzer performing data analysis of the wavelength spectrum. The analyzer includes a correction data obtaining section which obtains correction data of the wavelength spectrum considering light absorption by the sample container, and a sample information analyzing section which corrects and analyzes the wavelength spectrum to obtain sample information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuya Iguchi, Kengo Suzuki