Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for non-invasive determination of at least one physiological parameter, comprised of at least one diagnostic sensor unit to generate measuring signals, and comprised of an evaluation unit (140) for processing of measuring signals. It is the object of the present invention to provide a device for non-invasive determination of physiological parameters that is extended with regard to its functionality as compared with prior art in technology. More particularly, it is the object to create a device which can be utilized by a user in a comfortable and frequent manner to allow for a reliable and early recognition of diseases a swell as for a continuous monitoring of existing diseases.

Abstract: Techniques for the display of a signal with a wavelet transform of that signal in a wavelet transform viewer are disclosed, according to embodiments. According to embodiments, the wavelet transform viewer can display a plot of physiological signals such as a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal. A portion of the plot of the signal can be selected. A wavelet transform the selected portion of the signal can be calculated and a wavelet plot of the tranformed signal can be displayed simultaneously with that signal. A plot of the selected portion of the signal can also be simultaneously displayed with both the plot of the signal and the wavelet plot.

Abstract: A measuring cell for receiving a blood sample is designed such that it can be transilluminated with a light source. The light source and a means for determining the luminous intensity corresponding to the light source can be arranged on the measuring cell for determining the luminous intensity of the light of the light source emerging from the measuring cell, wherein the measuring cell has constant, predefined properties with respect to the light of the light source, so that the blood oxygen content of the blood sample can be detected on the means for determining the luminous intensity due to a change of the luminous intensity of the light of the light source.

Abstract: The disclosed optical component may include an optical device and an overmold. The optical device may be configured to transmit or receive one or more wavelengths of light. The overmold may be disposed about the entirety of the optical device and may include a material transparent to the one or more wavelengths of light. A method of manufacturing a sensor may include overmolding an optical device with an overmold material that is transparent to a wavelength of light emitted or received by the optical device. The method may also include disposing the overmolded optical device proximate a sensor frame. The method may also include overmolding the sensor frame and the overmolded optical sensing device with a second overmold material. Further, the second overmold material may not block a portion of the overmolded optical device such that light can be emitted or received by the optical device without interference from the second overmold material.

Abstract: Measurement system and methods for measuring oxygenated hemoglobin saturation level are provided. Light is transmitted to test blood and a reference mirror. The reference mirror provides a first reflected light beam, and backscattered light from different depths of the test blood generates a second reflected light beam. An interfered light signal is generated by light interference of the first and second reflected light beams. According to the interfered light signal, a first light decay constant for a first light wavelength range and a second light decay constant for a second light wavelength range are obtained according to the interfered light signal. A decay ratio of the first light decay constant to the second light decay constant is obtained. Oxygenated hemoglobin saturation level of the test blood is obtained according to the decay ratio.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring at least one body parameter, particularly blood and/or tissue parameters, is used for carrying out the measurements of electromagnetic radiation in the transmission or reflection methods, wherein the sensor uses at least one LED as a source of electromagnetic radiation. At least one photodetector is used as the receiving element. At least one LED is used in a non-invasive measurement of the parameters for ensuring a sufficiently high residual intensity of the radiation received by the photodetector and transmitted or reflected by the blood and/or tissue, wherein the LED has a light intensity of at least 200 millicandela and/or a light yield of at least 2 lumen/watt.

Abstract: A test strip reader is provided with an optical mouse integrated circuit sensor that reads the test line, reference line and control line of a lateral flow assay strip by light absorption and determines the position of the test strip beneath the image on the integrated circuit board using digital signal processing algorithms. The digital signal processing algorithms process the imaged surface at a very high rate (e.g., 1500 frames per second) to determine the direction and speed of movement of the lateral strip with respect to the reader optics and image capture components. The sensor outputs this position information in a quadrature pattern format. A microcontroller uses the known position of the strip with respect to the reader to calculate the optical absorption of each colored reagent line, and the diagnostic significance (i.e., either qualitative or quantitative) of the test strip.

Abstract: A pulse signal drive circuit includes an energy storage device. A source of energy supplies a substantially constant flow of energy to the energy storage device. A switch circuit draws repetitive pulses of substantially constant energy from the energy storage device to generate corresponding pulse drive signals.

Abstract: A living tissue light transmission simulator system (208, 308) includes receptors of light (215, 216, 315, 316) in portions of the infrared and red spectral bands and the receptors (215, 216, 315, 316), together with amplification (217, 218, 317, 318), infrared detection (239, 371), spectral separation circuitry (219, 319), and post-separation amplification (220, 221, 338, 339, 340, 320, 321), that may be used to drive at least one light source (222, 223, 322, 361). The living tissue light transmission simulator system (208, 308) includes at least one shutter (225, 235, 324, 363, 450) to mechanically modulate generated light from the at least one driven light source (222, 223, 322, 361) where the modulated light may be directed to a pulse oximeter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay method in which blood can be measured even without pretreatment by means of a centrifuge etc. In the present invention, antibodies or antigens in a sample are subjected to agglutination reaction with insoluble carriers onto which antigens or antibodies specifically reacting with the antibodies or antigens in the sample have been immobilized and the resulting agglutination mixture is determined for the change in its absorbance or in its scattered light by irradiation with light, wherein said sample is whole blood and the whole blood is forcibly lyzed.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter for measuring arterial oxygen saturation levels is provided. The pulse oximeter includes an LED signal generator for transmitting one or more light signals to a testing medium and a photodetector signal generator for processing at least a portion of the light signal generated by the LED signal generator into a photocurrent. The pulse oximeter further includes an integrated information transmission component for transmitting information corresponding to the pulse oximeter and which is integrated with the pulse oximeter without requiring additional wiring. A processing system within the pulse oximeter can generate a voltage to the integrated information transmission component to read the information stored in the component without causing the LED signal generator to generate a signal.

Abstract: A body fat measuring apparatus is provided with a light emitting device 1 for projecting light rays to a subject's tissue, light receiving devices 3 and 4 for detecting a transmitted light ray having passed through the subject's tissue and/or a reflected light ray reflected inside the subject's body, and a CPU 6 for calculating the subject's subcutaneous fat thickness and/or body fat percentage by performing an operation by use of the detection results of the light receiving devices 3 and 4. The light receiving devices 3 and 4 are situated at different distances from the light emitting device 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in quality control of a spectrophotometer, comprising the steps of determining with the spectrophotomer a spectrum Am(?) of a fluid QC sample containing a dye, and determining a wavelength shift ?? from C??(?), Am(?), in which C??(?) is a predetermined coefficient vector previously stored in a memory of the spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging the dynamics of a scattering medium (116) is provided. The method and system generates contrast and resolution enhanced images of dynamic properties of a medium having a temporal signature by using time series analysis methods on a time series of collected data or time series of images to extract and isolate dynamic properties of the medium (116).

Abstract: A pre-diffused high density array of core memory cells is provided in a metal programmable device. The peripheral logic is made up of gate array cells in the metal programmable device. The peripheral logic may be configured to access the core memory cells as various memory types, widths, depths, and other configurations. If the entire memory is not needed, then the unused memory cells can be used as logic gates. The application-specific circuit, including peripheral logic, memory interface logic, and memory configuration is programmed with a metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay method in which blood can be measured even without pretreatment by means of a centrifuge etc. In the present invention, antibodies or antigens in a sample are subjected to agglutination reaction with insoluble carriers onto which antigens or antibodies specifically reacting with the antibodies or antigens in the sample have been immobilized and the resulting agglutination mixture is determined for the change in its absorbance or in its scattered light by irradiation with light, wherein said sample is whole blood and the whole blood is forcibly lyzed.

Abstract: An oximeter has an op-amp with a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input being directly connected to a reference voltage. A switch has an input connected to the output of the op-amp, and has a plurality of switch outputs. A transistor has a control input connected to one of the plurality of outputs, and has a current source terminal and a supply terminal. A diode is connected to the current source terminal of the transistor. The supply terminal of the transistor is connected both to the second input of the op-amp and to a second one of the plurality of switch outputs. The switch is thereby in a feedback loop of the op-amp, effecting a feedback-controlled switch for switching the diode on and off.

Abstract: A method of producing a diode drive current in an oximeter includes sensing at least a part of a current passing through the diode and converting the sensed current to a sensed voltage, inputting the sensed voltage to a feedback amplifier for stabilizing the current passing through the diode, and eliminating an offset voltage across inputs of the feedback amplifier. A pulse oximeter includes a diode for emitting light flashes, a feedback amplifier having inputs, a feedback capacitor, and an output, the feedback amplifier stabilizing a current passing through the diode, a nulling amplifier having inputs, a nulling capacitor, and an output, the nulling amplifier charging and discharging the feedback capacitor until the inputs of the feedback amplifier are at a same voltage. The operation may include synchronizing an elimination of input offset voltages of the feedback and nulling amplifiers with on or off state of diode current.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an amusement system that can be used and enjoyed by different persons without using the brain continuously and with little feeling of fatigue and which permits setting a probe at any spot on the head of the subject. The amusement system includes irradiators for irradiating the subject with light, light detectors for detection of the light that has been emitted from said irradiator and which has propagated through the living body, signal processors for processing the signal of light intensity detected by said detector and display units that show the processing results from the signal processor. The range of display of a change in intensity of said transmitted light according to the results of a test task carried out on said living body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial member (80, 210) which mimics the absorbance spectrum of a body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes. The artificial member comprises a light scattering and reflecting material, and has a chamber portion comprising one or more chambers (90, 100, 220). The artificial member is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor which receptor is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.

Abstract: A body fat measuring apparatus is provided with a light emitting device 1 for projecting light rays to a subject's tissue, light receiving devices 3 and 4 for detecting a transmitted light ray having passed through the subject's tissue and/or a reflected light ray reflected inside the subject's body, and a CPU 6 for calculating the subject's subcutaneous fat thickness and/or body fat percentage by performing an operation by use of the detection results of the light receiving devices 3 and 4. The light receiving devices 3 and 4 are situated at different distances from the light emitting device 1.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the oxygenation of blood. The apparatus includes a detector that is configured to sense a first signal of a first wavelength, the first signal having a first arterial blood component and a first noise component. The detector is also configured to sense a second signal of a second wavelength, the second signal having a second arterial blood component and a second noise component. The first arterial blood component is related to the second arterial blood component by an arterial blood absorption ratio and the first noise component is related to the second noise component by a noise absorption ratio. The apparatus also includes a controller that is configured to determine a value of the noise absorption ratio that maximizes the magnitude of an autocorrelation function. The controller is further configured to determine the oxygenation of blood from the noise absorption ratio.

Abstract: The invention is a noninvasive optical probe having an electrical connector for connecting the optical probe to a cable connector. According to one embodiment, the electrical connector includes a durable flexible tab suspended between the housing of the optical probe and a protective cover. The electrical connector also advantageously forms, according to various embodiments, a flexible, plugable, lockable, removable, and sealable electrical connection.

Abstract: An optical system and method for transcranial in vivo examination of brain tissue includes a spectrophotometer coupled to an array of optical fibers and a processor. The array of optical fibers is constructed to transmit optical radiation of a visible to infra-red wavelength. The optical fibers have distal ends projected through the hair into contact with a surface of the scalp and arranged over a selected geometrical pattern. The spectrophotometer includes at least one light source constructed to emit optical radiation of the visible or infra-red wavelength and at least one light detector constructed to detect radiation that has migrated from a first of said distal ends within the brain tissue to a second of the distal ends. A sequencer is constructed to control introduction of radiation from a first distal end and constructed to control detection of radiation after arriving at a second distal end using a transmission/reception algorithm over the geometrical pattern.

Abstract: A probe configured as a finger tip of a glove used to recognize tissue types in a human patient and adapted to perform both optical and electrical measurements to diagnose tissue type while scanned over the surface of the tissue. Hybrid electronic technology reduces the size of the diagnostic elements. The necessary electrical connections are led down the finger and the glove to a remotely positioned control unit. The control unit provides power to the diagnostic device and analyzes the signals received from the device.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system, method and medical device for measuring various hemoglobin derivatives, such as oxyhemoglobin, reduced hemoglobin, partial hemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin in whole or in hemolyzed blood. The novel method uses a statistical approach to enable the design of a portable co-oximeter. This portable co-oximeter utilizes compact light sources, such as light emitting diodes or light emitting lasers, to emit light in the visible region. Being portable, the device is a point-of-care device that can be used in emergency situations by paramedics, in the emergency room, and in a physicians office to detect and measure the concentrations and/or percentages of functional and non-functional hemoglobin derivatives in a patient's blood.

Abstract: A system for measuring a biological parameter, such as blood glucose, the system comprising the steps of directing laser pulses from a light guide into a body part consisting of soft tissue, such as the tip of a finger to produce a photoacoustic interaction. The resulting acoustic signal is detected by a transducer and analyzed to provide the desired parameter.

Abstract: A device for controlling equipment includes a light projector adapted to project light onto a head of a living body, a light collecting device for collecting the light having passed through the head from the light projector, a light measuring device for measuring an intensity of the light collected by the light collecting device, a memory device for storing a previous history of changes of the intensity of the light measured by the light measuring device, a signal judging circuit for judging if both the intensity of the light measured by the light measuring device and the previous history of changes of the intensity of the light satisfy a predetermined condition, a display device for displaying the intensity of the light measured by the light measuring device and a result obtained by the signal judging circuit, and a control signal generating circuit for generating a control signal to be supplied to an external equipment if the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Illuminating light of selected wavelengths in the visible or infrared range is projected through the pupil of the eye onto the fundus, and the light reflected back and out through the pupil is detected and analyzed, preferably using the area of the optic disk for analyzing the retinal vessels overlying the optic disk. Specific wavelengths of illuminating light may be chosen for each blood component to be analyzed depending on the spectral characteristics of the substance being analyzed. The reflected image from the retina may be used to measure non-photoreactive blood components such as hemoglobin, and photoreactive components such as bilirubin. For the measurement of photoreactive components, images may be taken before and after, or during, illumination of the eye with light at wavelengths which will affect the photoreactive analyte, enabling measurements of the concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a system wherein light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be tuned within a given range by selecting their operating drive current in order to obtain a precise wavelength. The present invention further provides a manner in which to calibrate and utilize an LED probe, such that the shift in wavelength for a known change in drive current is a known quantity. In general, the principle of wavelength shift for current drive changes for LEDs is utilized in order to allow better calibration and added flexibility in the use of LED sensors, particularly in applications when the precise wavelength is needed in order to obtain accurate measurements. The present invention also provides a system in which it is not necessary to know precise wavelengths of LEDs where precise wavelengths were needed in the past. Finally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the operating wavelength of a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A photometer (10) includes a light source (12) operable to direct light toward a sample (14), a detection circuit (16) operable to detect the light after it has passed through the sample, and a drive circuit (18) for powering the light source. The drive circuit includes an input (20) for coupling with a source of power and energy storage circuitry (22) coupled with the input. The energy storage circuitry is operable to store energy from the source of power when switched to a charging state and to deliver current to the light source in a ramped manner when switched to a discharge state so that the current peaks at a selected time. The drive circuit delivers a controlled amount of current to the light source that peaks only after the detection circuit has settled so that power is not wasted at the startup of the oximeter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus using the principles of time-resolved spectroscopy are disclosed. The present invention employs incident light pulses of sufficiently short duration to permit the rate of the rise and decay of such pulses to be measured. Consequently, the rate of decay, u, permits a determination of the concentration of an absorptive pigment, such as hemoglobin. The present invention also allows the precise path length the photons travel to be determined. Using this path length information and by measuring changes in optical density using known continuous light (CW) spectrophotometry systems, the methods and apparatus disclosed allow changes in the concentration of an absorptive pigment to be correctly be measured. From these data, the oxygenation state of a tissue region, such as the brain, can be accurately determined in real time.

Abstract: In a method for the non-invasive determination of the oxygen saturation in tissue supplied with blood, the tissue is irradiated with red and infrared light and the DC and AC components of the emerging light are measured. During a first time interval, a calibration factor k is determined from the DC and AC components of the emerging light. During a second time interval, the oxygen saturation in the tissue is computed progressively from the DC components of the emerging light and the determined calibration factor k.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring blood parameters during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery or during other procedures which utilize an extracorporeal circuit. The apparatus is typically used to monitor the percentage of hemoglobin bound with oxygen (oxygen saturation), the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood, and the percent of blood which is comprised of red blood cells (hematocrit), although the apparatus can be adapted to measure other blood parameters. The apparatus (or monitor) provides real-time results to show immediate changes (trending) in the monitored parameters.

Abstract: A device for testing a pulse oximetry probe includes means for receiving an output signal dependent on the wavelength of light emitted by a light emitter of the probe, and for determining, from this output signal, an accuracy figure for the blood oxygen indication of the probe.

Abstract: Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas which causes asphyxiation by combining with a strong affinity to blood hemoglobin. Unless a patient is quickly identified as having CO poisoning, the patient could face severe medical consequences including death.This patent describes a reagentless optical method for measuring carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) in a whole undiluted blood sample that can be obtained from a fingerstick. A battery-operated triple wavelength device measures light transmission at frequencies of 548 nm, 810 nm and 950 nm through a 40 .mu.L sample of undiluted whole blood placed in standard disposable glass capillary tube. Having a portable point-of-care device, for uses by paramedics during an emergency situation, in the emergency room, or in a physician's office, can provide accurate immediate confirmation of CO poisoning.

Abstract: The distance between an image indicating a measured portion and a measuring apparatus is previously registered, a measured object is arranged in a prescribed space in a non-contact state, the position of a probe is so adjusted that two-dimensional image sensing means senses the previously registered image of the measured portion, the position of the probe is so adjusted that the distance up to the measured portion by distance measuring means reaches the previously registered distance, and orientation determination means irradiates the measured portion with a light beam while changing the orientation for determining an orientation maximizing the quantity of light transmitted through the measured portion. Thereafter the physical quantity measuring apparatus irradiates the measured portion with measuring light and senses output light from the measured portion for obtaining a physical quantity.

Abstract: An oximeter probe segment with a first fiber optic for carrying light to a patient, and a second fiber optic for carrying return light from the patient. The light is of a wavelength spectrum which can be shifted by travelling through the first and second fiber optics. The probe segment includes an element which is configured to provide a signal corresponding to the shift of the wavelength spectrum through the first and second fiber optics. This signal can either be used to actually measure the shift, or the signal can itself be a coded value corresponding to the shift.

Abstract: There is described a new sensor for optical blood oximetry as well as a method and apparatus in which the new sensor is used. The new sensor includes two point-like light emitters (23,24) positioned in the center of the device in close proximity to each other and at least one and preferably two annular detector terminals (32,39) concentrically surrounding the light emitters. The light sources may, for example, be two laser diodes emitting each monochromatic light within the range of 670 nm to 940 nm. The detector devices are, for example, photodetectors.

Abstract: An adapter which actively connects a 2-lead oximeter probe or monitor to a 3-lead monitor or probe. This is done actively, with the alternating drive signals from the oximeter monitor providing a control signal for switching the adapter connections. The adapter connections are preferably made with diodes, transistors, or other active devices.

Abstract: A non-invasive optical sensor which uses the motion signal to calculate the physiological characteristic being measured. For pulse oximetry, a least squares or a ratio-of-ratios technique can be applied to the motion signal itself. This is made possible by selecting a site on the patient where variations in motion produce signals of two wavelengths which are sufficiently correlated. In particular, it has been determined that a sensor placed on a nail, in particular a thumbnail, exhibits the characteristics of having the red and infrared signals correlated when used for pulse oximetry, and the resulting signals correlate to arterial oxygen saturation.

Abstract: Described is a method and a system for detecting the arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (also called blood oxygenation, SpO2 or SaO2 measuring), comprising a measuring device for performing a blood oxygenation measurement and a controller unit. The measuring device is controllable by the controller unit so that the blood oxygenation measurement can be performed non-continuously. In a first step the measuring device is powered on, in a second step the blood oxygenation measurement is performed, and in a third step the measuring device or parts thereof are powered down, whereby the three steps are repeatable periodically. This provides SpO2 measurement applicable in telemetric or handhold instruments. The system is preferably used in telemetric or handhold instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring a percentage of the oxygen saturation in the hemoglobin of blood flowing through a blood vessel. An optical sensor that detects the percentage oxygen saturation in blood is disposed proximate a proximal end of the catheter. A thermistor is disposed adjacent to the distal end of the catheter and it is employed to detect changes in blood temperature that indicate the position of the catheter's distal end in the blood vessel. Indicia or marks visible at intervals on the outer surface of the catheter enable a medical practitioner to determine the length of the catheter that has been introduced into the blood vessel. A strain relief that is flexible and resists stretching extends along the length of the catheter. For flushing the distal end of the catheter, a fluid supply may be connected to a lumen running through the catheter to provide the flushing fluid.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the photoplethysmographic monitoring of blood analyte parameters, specifically oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin (reduced hemoglobin), carboxyhemoglobin and, in addition, in a four emitter apparatus, methemoglobin, uses a plurality of beams of light having different spectral contents to trans-illuminate the tissue of a patient. The apparatus and method require the application of an emitter set comprised of four emitters. The emitters may be LED's or laser diodes. In the three analyte system the center wavelength of the emitters must fall within three specific bands. In the four emitter system (capable of measuring methemoglobin) the center wavelength of the emitters in the emitter set must fall within four predetermined bands and the emitters having the two lowest center wavelengths must be at least 5 nanometers apart.

Abstract: A device and method for noninvasively quantifying important physiological parameters in blood. The device and method utilizes changes in molecular behavior induced by thermal energy of change to facilitate the measurement of the physiological parameters in blood. Oxygen saturation, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, concentration of bicarbonate ion and total carbon dioxide, acid-base balance, base excess, hemoglobin level, hematocrit, oxyhemoglobin level, deoxyhemoglobin level, and oxygen content can all be determined quickly, easily, and continuously. There is no need for skin puncture or laboratory analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical sensor for detecting a blood characteristic. The sensor includes a transducer for producing an analog signal related to the blood characteristic. The analog signal is converted into a transmission signal which is in amplitude-independent form for transmission to a remote analyzer. In one embodiment, a current-to-frequency converter converts a signal from a pulse oximeter sensor into a frequency signal which can be transmitted over a transmission line to a remote pulse oximeter.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel detects the intensity of light reflected from illuminated portions of an eye, including the retinal vessel and background fundus, and adjusts the corresponding intensity signals to compensate for reflections from the retinal vessel. In particular, the transmittance measuring method and apparatus constructs an intensity profile function based upon the intensity signals. As a result, the intensity profile function approximates the intensity of light transmitted through the retinal vessel as a function of retinal vessel position. During the construction of the intensity profile function, the transmittance measuring method and apparatus can compensate for at least some of the reflections of light from the retinal vessel which occurred prior to propagation of the light through the retinal vessel, thereby increasing the accuracy with which the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel is measured.

Abstract: The improved pulse oximeter preprocesses the sets of red and infrared signals received from the probe to remove ambient light, to remove noise, and to de-exponeniate the signals. The linearity of the processed red and infrared signals allows the use of statistical techniques such as linear regression and linear correlation to fit a best fit straight line to the set of pairs of processed red and infrared data points and to measure the goodness of the straight line fit to these data points. The result of this analysis is a linear regression slope and a goodness of fit correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient is a measure of the linearity of the input data points and, if less than a predetermined threshold, it indicates that a distorted signal has been received from the probe. This permits the pulse oximeter to detect probe off conditions and/or motion in the patient.

Abstract: A method and system for simulating living tissue which is to be monitored by a pulse oximeter that provides red and infrared light flashes, the system including structure for: converting the red and infrared light flashes of the pulse oximeter into electrical signals; modulating the converted electrical signals to provide modulated electrical signals; and converting the modulated electrical signals to light flashes and transmitting the converted light flashes to the pulse oximeter for detection so that the pulse oximeter responds to the converted light flashes as it would to light flashes modulated by a living tissue.

Abstract: An optical sensor containing polarizing optical components measures fluorescence anisotropy of fluorescent dyes. The measurement involves the detection of vertical and horizontal components of fluorescent light. Using Glan-Taylor and Wollaston calcite polarizers, both vertical and horizontal components are collected by separate optical fibers and measured simultaneously using a two-channel photon counter. One application of this sensor is the measurement of molecular orientation during polymer processing. Two sensor head designs are described, one of which fits into the 1/2 inch instrumentation port in polymer processing machines. To carry out process monitoring, a fluorescent dye is mixed with a polymer resin at approximately 10 ppm by weight concentration. Dyes which have geometrical asymmetry in their molecular structure or are covalently bonded to the polymer molecule are usually used. The anisotropy measurement yields information about the orientation of the dye molecule in an oriented medium.