Abstract: A radial illumination system is for projecting a light pattern radially. A light source generates a light output to an optical fiber. A ferrule is provided around the end of the optical fiber, and a reflector is mounted over or in the ferrule or integral with the ferrule, for redirecting the light to form generally radial light. In this way, a simple design with low component count is able to perform the optical alignment and optical reflecting functions.

Abstract: Systems, catheter and methods for treating Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are provided, which are configure to illuminate a heart tissue having a lesion site; obtain a mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) fluorescence intensity from the illuminated heart tissue along a first line across the lesion site; create a 2-dimensional (2D) map of the depth of the lesion site along the first line based on the NADH fluorescence intensity; and determine a depth of the lesion site at a selected point along the first line from the 2D map, wherein a lower NADH fluorescence intensity corresponds to a greater depth in the lesion site and a higher NADH fluorescence intensity corresponds to an unablated tissue. The process may be repeated to create a 3 dimensional map of the depth of the lesion.

Abstract: A cell-image acquisition device includes: a stage supporting a vessel containing a cell and a culture fluid; a light source emitting illumination light; a focusing lens disposed below the stage and focusing, when the illumination light is made to enter from above a liquid surface of the culture fluid, light transmitted through the vessel; an aperture disposed so as to block part of the focused light; an image acquisition element acquiring an image of light passing through the aperture and having pixels arrayed in a straight line; a movement mechanism including guide rails and a motor and moving the light source, the focusing lens, the aperture, and the image acquisition element, relative to the stage, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to an array direction of the pixels; and a controller adjusting an incident angle of the illumination light on the liquid surface, about an axis parallel to the array direction.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying tissue suspected of being abnormal as being malignant or benign. The method includes generating a set of selection features, performing statistical applications to generate additional selection features, generating a feature vector for the abnormal tissue, feeding the feature vector into a neural network, and obtaining a result from the neural network as to whether the abnormal tissue is malignant or benign. The method and system may be used for determining the presence of breast cancer.

Abstract: A diagnosis support system which performs computer processing of data obtained from an object to be examined and presents the obtained diagnostic information is disclosed. The diagnosis support apparatus includes a diagnosis support processing unit which processes data obtained from the object to extract diagnosis support information, a storage unit which stores the examination history of the object, and a changing unit which changes a processing method in the diagnosis support processing unit in accordance with the examination history of the object stored in the storage unit. In at least one embodiment, diagnosis processing is executed to obtain medical diagnostic information by performing computer processing of data obtained from the object, and the processing method for diagnosis support processing is changed in accordance with the examination history of the object.

Abstract: A fundus image processing apparatus that processes a fundus image of an examinee's eye, the fundus image processing apparatus includes: a processor; and a memory storing computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the fundus image processing apparatus to: identify the optic disc included in the fundus image; identify a blood vessel included in the fundus image; calculate an upper diameter ratio which is a diameter ratio of those of the identified blood vessels that are positioned in a region above a height of the optic disc; calculate a lower diameter ratio which is a diameter ratio of those of the identified blood vessels that are positioned in a region under the height of the optic disc; and calculate an arteriovenous diameter ratio in the fundus of the examinee's eye based on the upper diameter ratio and the lower diameter ratio.

Abstract: Based on the identification by colorimetry of a colour image of the fundus of the eye of an individual, obtained by specialised cameras (fundus camera or retinograph). The method and the device of the present invention enable establishing a direct relation between the chromatic properties of the various tissues of the optic nerve (10) and the amount of haemoglobin (Hb) in the optic nerve head (10), allowing identification and clearly distinguishing the irrigated regions of the optic nerve (10) from the non-irrigated regions or those with atrophy, constituting a tool of great interest in monitoring and diagnosis of glaucomatous disease and other optic diseases affecting vascularisation. This method also allows taking into account the effect of loss of transparency of the lens in patients with cataracts, as this effect is compensated without affecting the final results of the determination of the amount of haemoglobin (Hb).

Abstract: A real-time simultaneous measurement apparatus includes: a hemoglobin information-receiving portion that sequentially receives hemoglobin information, which is information relating to the amount of hemoglobin in a head portion of a test subject, from a NIRS brain-measuring apparatus that receives a synchronization signal output by a synchronization signal output apparatus and acquires the hemoglobin information when the synchronization signal has been received; a brain wave information-receiving portion that sequentially receives the brain wave information of the test subject, from an EEG brain wave-measuring apparatus that receives a synchronization signal output by the synchronization signal output apparatus and acquires the brain wave information when the synchronization signal has been received; a synchronization processing portion that performs processing that synchronizes the hemoglobin information and the brain wave information; and an output portion that outputs the synchronized hemoglobin information

Abstract: An implantable system includes light sources to transmit toward vascularized tissue, in a time multiplexed manner, light having a first wavelength of approximately 660 nm, light having a second wavelength of approximately 810 nm, light having a third wavelength of approximately 910 nm, and light having a fourth wavelength of approximately 980 nm. The system includes one or more light detector to detect light of the first, second, third and fourth wavelengths scattered by vascularized tissue. Additionally, one or more processor is configured to determine levels of blood oxygen saturation based on the detected scattered light of the first and third wavelengths, determine levels of tissue oxygen saturation based on the detected scattered light of the first and third wavelengths, determine levels of hemoglobin concentration based on the detected scattered light of the second wavelength, and determine levels of tissue hydration based on the detected scattered light of the second and fourth wavelengths.

Abstract: Retinal metabolism is analyzed with a retinal function camera over at least a portion of a cardiac cycle by first illuminating a portion of a retina of an eye 10 with light of a first wavelength and producing a first image. The portion of the retina is subsequently illuminated with light of a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being selected such that absorptivity of light of the first wavelength by oxygenated blood is greater than absorptivity of light of the second wavelength and the absorptivity of light of the first wavelength by deoxygenated blood is less than absorptivity of light of the second wavelength, to produce a second image. The first and second images are processed to map relative oxygenation of the portion of the retina as an indication of retinal metabolic function of the portion of the retina.

Abstract: A new model based on ray tracing is developed to estimate power spectral properties in laser Doppler velocimetry of retinal vessels and to predict the effects of laser beam size and eccentricity as well as absorption of laser light by oxygenated and reduced hemoglobin. There is described the model and show that it correctly converges to the traditional rectangular shape of the Doppler shift power spectrum, given the same assumptions, and that reduced beam size and eccentric alignment cause marked alterations in this shape. The changes in the detected total power of the Doppler-shifted light due to light scattering and absorption by blood can also be quantified with this model and may be used to determine the oxygen saturation in retinal arteries and veins. The potential of this approach is that it uses direct measurements of Doppler signals originating only from moving red blood cells. The invention opens new avenues for retinal vessel oximetry.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a functional signal in retinal images. An optical imaging device comprises a stimulation light source, an interrogating light source, and a detector. The retina is stimulated by the stimulation light source. The retina is then illuminated by an interrogation light, and the reflected intensity from the retina is measured at an interrogating spectral band that indicates the state of hemoglobin saturation before and after visual stimulation. The optical changes that result from retinal neuronal activity are captured by the detector. The signal representing the state of hemoglobin saturation before and after visual stimulation is isolated. In an embodiment of the present invention, this signal is isolated using principle components analysis (PCA).

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for determining a suitable site for sampling physiological fluid. In the subject methods, a potentially suitable physiological sampling site is selected, the fluid flow of the site is characterized and the site is then determined to be suitable based on the whether the site has high or low flow. Suitability may also be determined based on the type of sample obtainable from the site, where the order of the above-described steps may be altered. The subject devices include at least one site flow characterization element for determining the flow characteristics of a potential physiological sampling site and/or at least one sample type characterization element for determining whether the vasculature is arterial, venous or neither, i.e., an interstitial fluid sampling site. The subject methods and devices are particularly suited for use in the detection of physiological sampling sites in the fingers, arms, legs, earlobes, heels, feet, nose and toes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for quantitative hemoglobin determination in undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood comprising the steps of: providing a disposable, capillary, which has an optical path length of less than 1 mm; filling said cuvette with a sample of unaltered whole blood; performing a first absorption measurement at a wavelength in the range 490-520 nm directly on the sample in the cuvette, and further conducting a second absorption measurement, and processing results of the first and second absorption measurements to determine the concentration of hemoglobin in the sample, wherein the step of processing comprises compensating for scattering in the sample, said compensating being dependent on the result of the second absorption measurement. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method and a system for determining the concentration of chromophores and reconstructing images in turbid media, such as animal tissues, using a continuous wave optical approach. In particular the approach is based on measurements of attenuation signals and the calculation of concentrations of chromophores using a predetermined scatter law. The system comprises a continuous wave photon migration model calculator coupled to an optical source and detector for estimating concentrations of chromophores and scatter parameters used in image reconstruction.

Abstract: A method of determining the autoregulatory status of a subject by obtaining a measurement of a selected parameter of the retinal blood vessels in a non-stimulated subject, administering to the subject a preselected stimulus, obtaining a measurement of the selected parameter of the retinal blood vessels of the subject in response to the administration of the selected stimulus, and determining the ratio of the measurement for the selected parameter in the non-stimulated retinal blood vessels to the measurement of the selected parameter for the retinal blood vessels following the administration of its selected stimulus whereby the ratio provides an indicator of the autoregulatory function or status of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting blood characteristics including hemoglobin in a fluid medium using both transmission and reflection of a light beam which forms a quotient.

Abstract: A vacuum system for applying vacuum to the body cavity of a patient where a flow switch is provided that is located upstream of a vacuum regulator that can be adjusted to establish the level of vacuum desired to be applied to the patient. The flow switch provides an easy device for the caregiver to activate to fully and positively occlude the vacuum line to the patient. In one embodiment, the flow switch is constructed integral with a regulator having an rotatable actuator having a knob that is rotated to adjust the level of vacuum to the patient such the a caregiver can simply push the actuator knob inwardly to occlude the flow in the patient line and thereafter rotate the actuator knob to establish the desired level of vacuum to the patient.

Abstract: A device and a method to provide a more reliable and accurate measurement of hematocrit (Hct) by noninvasive means. The changes in the intensities of light of multiple wavelengths transmitted through or reflected light from the tissue location are recorded immediately before and after occluding the flow of venous blood from the tissue location with an occlusion device positioned near the tissue location. As the venous return stops and the incoming arterial blood expands the blood vessels, the light intensities measured within a particular band of near-infrared wavelengths decrease in proportion to the volume of hemoglobin in the tissue location; those intensities measured within a separate band of wavelengths in which water absorbs respond to the difference between the water fractions within the blood and the displaced tissue volume. A mathematical algorithm applied to the time-varying intensities yields a quantitative estimate of the absolute concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.

Abstract: The Laser Induced Fluorescence Attenuation Spectroscopy (LIFAS) method and apparatus preferably include a source adapted to emit radiation that is directed at a sample volume in a sample to produce return light from the sample, such return light including modulated return light resulting from modulation by the sample, a first sensor, displaced by a first distance from the sample volume for monitoring the return light and generating a first signal indicative of the intensity of return light, a second sensor, displaced by a second distance from the sample volume, for monitoring the return light and generating a second signal indicative of the intensity of return light, and a processor associated with the first sensor and the second sensor and adapted to process the first and second signals so as to determine the modulation of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the concentrations of n hemoglobin derivatives in a sample of undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood provided in a cuvette, employs a device producing a primary light beam formed of at least n substantially monochromatic, narrow-band components of different wavelengths. Further provided is a detection device for measuring of the radiation passing through the cuvette. At least two measuring geometries are provided for spectral detection of a collimated central beam and at least one scatter beam, and detection of the central beam departing from a first measuring location in the cuvette takes place in a first measuring position on the axis of the primary beam, and detection of the scatter beam takes place in a second measuring position if it departs from the first measuring location in the cuvette, or in the first measuring position if it departs from a second measuring location in the cuvette, whereby the axes of the central beam and the scatter beam(s) enclose angles .alpha..sub.

Abstract: The Laser Induced Fluorescence Attenuation Spectroscopy (LIFAS) method and apparatus preferably include a source adapted to emit radiation that is directed at a sample volume in a sample to produce return light from the sample, such return light including modulated return light resulting from modulation by the sample, a first sensor, displaced by a first distance from the sample volume for monitoring the return light and generating a first signal indicative of the intensity of return light, a second sensor, displaced by a second distance from the sample volume, for monitoring the return light and generating a second signal indicative of the intensity of return light, and a processor associated with the first sensor and the second sensor and adapted to process the first and second signals so as to determine the modulation of the sample.