Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a measurement unit configured to irradiate three types of ultrasonic waves and light upon a test region in a test object, and to measure modulated light and non-modulated light, the modulated light being modulated by an acousto-optical effect, and a signal processor configured to calculate a modulation depth that is an intensity of the modulated light divided by an intensity of the non-modulated light for the one, and at least one of a scattering characteristic and an absorption characteristic of the test region in the test object by utilizing a first change rate of the modulation depth to an amplitude of the one or an amount corresponding to the first change rate, and a second change rate of the modulation depth to a frequency of the one or an amount corresponding to the second change rate.

Abstract: A method according to an embodiment of the invention includes inserting an endoscope at least partially into a body lumen. At least a portion of the body lumen is illuminated at a first wavelength. The portion of the body lumen is illuminated at a second wavelength different than the first wavelength. A characteristic of an area of interest when the portion of the body lumen is illuminated at the first wavelength is compared with the characteristic of the area of interest when the portion of the body lumen is illuminated at the second wavelength. A medical device or treatment parameter is selected to treat the area of interest based on the comparing. In some embodiments, the body lumen is a ureter. In such an embodiment, a composition of a kidney stone within the ureter can be identified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring human movement of a test subject during a standard coordination and balance test. The test subject is placed in a selected test position, e.g. standing on one leg for a selected test period. A sensor device is attached to at least one body member of the test subject. The sensor generates and transmits a signal representative of movement of the body member during the test (hereinafter “the test”). The test subject is viewed through a viewfinder of a visual recorder. The recorder and sensor device are activated and generate image and sensor signals which are transmitted to an analyzer for determining the movement of the body members during the test. A coordination and balance score is calculated from the test based on the body movement, body member location and test time. The score is compared a standard associated with the test, and provides an indicator of the test subject's coordination and balance skill.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for navigating through bone. In one embodiment, a bone navigation device is provided and includes a bone penetrating member configured to be implanted in bone and having at least one optical waveguide extending therethrough. The optical waveguide is adapted to illuminate tissue surrounding the device and to receive reflected/transmitted light from the tissue to determine the optical characteristics of the tissue, thus facilitating navigation through the tissue. At least one window can be formed in the bone penetrating member for allowing light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the tissue, and for receiving the reflected light.

Abstract: A non-invasive system and method for determination of cardiac output and blood volume of a patient includes compensating for a change in the fluorescence of an indicator circulating in the bloodstream of a tissue or organ that is caused by a variation of the blood content at the site of the measurement.

Abstract: A generation of sectional images of tissue is provided. In this arrangement a first light-conducting fiber of a device for generating sectional tissue images according to the optical coherence tomography principle, which light-conducting fiber is rotatably accommodated within a catheter tube, is additionally connected to a device for generating light in a further wavelength range and for detecting fluorescent light. With its use sectional tissue images produced according to the optical coherence tomography principle can be superimposed with fluorescent images.

Abstract: A device, system and method for selectively activating or altering the operational mode of an autonomous in vivo device in response to in vivo conditions. They system may include an in vivo sensing device with a condition tester, and a controller. The in vivo sensing device may be in communications with an external receiver. The condition tester may include at least one layer of a dissolvable material coated on at least a portion of the autonomous device. The layer may dissolve when exposed to a specific material of a specified site along the GI tract. A sensor may be exposed when the layer dissolves or a switch autonomously activated with the layer dissolves.

Abstract: An image is created of blood circulation deep (e.g. a plurality of millimeters) below the surface of living tissue to aid in evaluating a patient. A first beam (26) of circularly polarized light is directed forwardly (F) against an outer surface (14) of the tissue. Light that has penetrated to only a shallow depth before moving rearwardly and out of the tissue remains polarized and is blocked by a filter (38). Light that has penetrated to greater depths (12), is scattered more and becomes depolarized, and a portion of it passes through the depolarizing filter (38) and is focused on a photodetector (48) to create an image. Light spots (54) on the image that move, represent spaces between blood platelets (52) that are moving through a capillary, and indicates the velocity of blood through the capillary.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the detection and display of polarization scrambling tissue without resolving the polarization state of the backscattered imaging beam. In one embodiment, we illuminate the tissue using two different polarizations. A first polarization determines a first image of high intensity while the second polarization determines a second image of low intensity. Comparison and combination of the first and second images determines tissue which scrambles the polarization in neighboring detection cells.

Abstract: A device for determining a concentration-related quantity of a fluorescent contrast agent applied to an object (2), in particular a turbid medium. Said device generally comprises a source (4) of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the object (2) at an excitation wavelength and at least one first detecting means (6, 7.1, 7.2, . . . , 8) for detecting fluorescent electromagnetic radiation emitted by the contrast agent at a fluorescence wavelength, said first detecting means producing fluorescence intensity data (F). The proposed device further comprises at least one second detecting means (6, 7.1, 7.2, . . .

Abstract: An implantable medical device system including an optical sensor monitors for the presence of overgrowth on the sensor by sensing light scattered by a measurement volume, the sensed light corresponding to a first wavelength, and deriving an overgrowth metric in response to the sensed light. The overgrowth metric is correlated to the presence of overgrowth on the sensor and is compared to a predetermined threshold. The presence of overgrowth on or near the sensor is detected in response to the overgrowth metric crossing the threshold.

Abstract: A subject is connected to a monitoring system and videoed while being monitored. The monitoring system receives raw data from the subject and processes the raw data into waveform data, and transmits the waveform data to a marking device. The marking device simultaneously marks the waveform data with a waveform reference point and causes a light emitting diode to flash in the video, thereby creating a video reference point. A computer program locks the waveform reference point with the video reference point and thereby synchronizes the waveform data with the video.

Abstract: A method for tomographic imaging of diffuse medium includes directing waves into a diffusive medium, solving a surface-bounded inversion problem by forward field calculations through decomposition of contributions from the multiple reflections from an arbitrary surface within the diffusive medium or outside the diffusive medium into a sum of different orders of reflection up to an arbitrary order, and using contact or non-contact measurements of waves outside said diffusive medium to generate a tomographic image.

Abstract: A medical device for sensing cardiac events that includes a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, and a detector to detect the emitted light. A processor generates an ambient light measurement in response to ambient light detected by the detector, generates a plurality of light measurements in response to the emitted light detected by the detector, and adjusts the plurality of light measurements in response to the ambient light measurement.

Abstract: Methods and spectra for monitoring fetal growth and predicting birth weight of an infant prior to birth are provided wherein one or more selected biological markers are measured in a sample of amniotic fluid obtained from a pregnant woman. Levels of the selected biochemical markers and/or spectra correlate with one or more medical conditions, such as fetal growth and birth weight of the infant, and gestational diabetes. A measurement probe for in situ measurement can be used safely and repeatedly. Monitoring and/or treatment of maternal and fetal health is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method that enable real-time optical measurements of tissue reflection spectral characteristics while performing ablation, involves the radiation of tissue and recapturing of light from the tissue to monitor changes in the reflected optical intensity as an indicator of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop. The system includes a catheter adapted to collect light reflected from tissue undergoing ablation, a detection component that identifies and separates constituent wavelengths of collected light, a quantification apparatus for generating measured light intensity data for the collected light, and a processor that analyses the measured light intensity data in relation to time. The system may include a graphical display and/or an audio output (e.g., speaker) that provide visual and/or audio alarm when the system infers formation of a steam pocket in the tissue.

Abstract: A method for measuring skin erythema and determining the efficacy of skin care treatment products utilizing digital images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for real-time perfusion imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a perfusion imaging system including a plurality of coaligned imaging arrays operating under a specific timing sequence and method of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining disease state in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical in the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The HbA1c or FPG measurement of the individual (or other secondary indication of disease state) can also be determined. A model combining the tissue fluorescence and one or more of the secondary indications can be used to determine the disease state of the individual. In some embodiments, the tissue fluorescence can be used as an initial screen, and the combination with secondary indications only made for those individuals for whom the fluorescence screen indicates an increased likelihood of disease.

Abstract: Method of analysing at least one parameter of a body component is provided. The method includes illuminating the component or body with light of at least a first and second waveband, receiving light of at least said first and second wavebands remitted by the component at a photoreceptor or photoreceptors, and analysing the light received at the photoreceptor(s) to provide a ratio between the amount of light remitted of the first waveband and the amount of light remitted of the second waveband, and from this calculating the component parameter.

Abstract: The present invention broadly provides methods and systems for detecting, identifying, and characterizing conditions, including diseases and other disorders in human or other animal subjects, by analyzing fluorescence from endogenous flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) fluorophors present in biological materials and samples. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to conditions of the human breast including cancers such as carcinoma. Methods and systems are provided for detecting, locating, and characterizing tumors and precancerous tissue via nonlinear optical imaging techniques capable of accurately characterizing fluorescence intensities and fluorescent lifetime parameters from endogenous FAD fluorophors present in a test tissue sample.

Abstract: A lesion extracting device having a control unit for changing an amount of the excitation light emitted toward a subject body, a measuring unit for measuring a change in the intensity of fluorescence generated from the subject body with respect to a change in the amount of the excitation light, and an extracting unit for calculating a ratio of the change in the intensity of fluorescence on the basis of a ratio of the change in the amount of the excitation light to the change in the intensity of fluorescence and for extracting a lesion part of the subject body on the basis of the ratio of the changes in the amount of the excitation light to the ratio of the changes in the intensity of fluorescence.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer is adapted for placement within a body near tissue to be characterized. The spectrometer includes a light source and a plurality of light detectors. The light source generates light to illuminate the tissue. The detectors detect optical signals from the illuminated tissue and convert these optical signals to electrical signals. The miniaturized spectrometer can be disposed at the distal end of an interventional device. Optical conduits, such as fiber optic cables or strands, extending the length of the interventional device are not required when the miniature spectrometer is employed.

Abstract: This application is directed to methods and kits for preventing the spread of sexually transmitted microorganisms among individuals. The present method is for the application of a medicament comprising an irrigant to an area of the body having, or which may have, a lesion resulting from, for example, a viral, bacteria or fungal infection, thereby damaging the microorganism within the lesion and preventing the organism from infecting human cells.

Abstract: A process, apparatus, and method for online control and database collection and management of a computerized detection, tracking, and feedback control system. The system tests for nutrients by Raman scattering effects on skin or other tissues to determine the content of carotenoids or other nutrients as evidenced in that skin. Serum levels of nutrients may vary dramatically with time, but skin tissues may average such nutrition over time. Skin and other tissues may be scanned with light to produce accurate measurements of carotenoids or other nutrients accumulated in the skin based on the Raman scattering affect of those nutrients in the skin. A score can be derived from a properly calibrated bio-photonic scanner to reflect an averaged effective uptake of the detected nutrient (e.g. such as the carotenoid example).

Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Abstract: An optical coherent tomography diagnostic apparatus including: a light source; a splitter for splitting the light outputted from the light source into a measuring light and a reference light; a measuring light path; a reference light path; a probe inserted into a body cavity and emitting the measuring light to a subject of measurement; an image forming unit for calculating intensity distribution of the reflection light and for forming a tomographic image; a standard light path for transmitting standard light obtained by further splitting the light; wherein the light path length when exerting interference between the standard light and the reference light is approximately equal to the light path length when exerting interference between the reference light and the reflection light, and there is included a calculation unit for calculating time change of coherent light data obtained by exerting interference between the standard light and the reference light.

Abstract: Provided is a fluoroscopy apparatus (1) including an illumination portion (4) provided with a light source (3) that radiates illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence imaging unit (18) that acquires a fluorescence image by imaging fluorescence generated at an subject (X); a return-light imaging unit (17) that acquires a reference image by imaging return light returning from the subject (X); and an image-correcting unit (6) that corrects the fluorescence image imaged by the fluorescence imaging unit (18) by using the reference image imaged by the return-light imaging unit (17), wherein the image-correcting unit (6) performs the following processing: FLrevised=A×FLbeforex/B×RLbeforey, where FLrevised is a luminance value of a corrected fluorescence image, FLbefore and RLbefore are luminance values of acquired fluorescence image and reference image, A and B are constants, and x and y are exponents for staying within a permissible error.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a device, system and method for determining the characteristics of deep tissue. The novel method includes measuring blood flow rate and oxygenation characteristics of the tissue, and determining oxygen metabolism of the tissue as a function of the measure blood flow rate and measure oxygenation. The blood flow rate characteristics are measured as a function of light fluctuations caused by the tissue, while the oxygenation characteristics are measured as a function of transmission of light through the tissue with respect to the wavelength of light. The tissue may be layered tissue, for example, a portion of a brain. The tissue characteristics may be measured during times of varying levels of exercise intensity.

Abstract: System and method for differentiating tissue margins in a biological sample using pulsed laser excitation and time-gated detection. A region containing a biological tissue is irradiated with substantially monochromatic pulsed laser light to thereby produce Raman scattered photons. The Raman scattered photons are detected using time-gated detection to thereby obtain a Raman spectroscopic image from the irradiated region characteristic of either a neoplastic portion or a non-neoplastic portion of the region containing the biological tissue. A boundary between a neoplastic portion and a non-neoplastic portion is differentiated and the boundary location in the Raman spectroscopic image is displayed.

Abstract: Macular pigments are measured by spectrally selective lipofuscin detection. Light from a light source that emits light at a selected range of wavelengths that overlap the absorption band of macular carotenoids is directed onto macular tissue of an eye for which macular pigment levels are to be measured. Emitted light is then collected from the macular tissue. The collected light is filtered so that the collected light includes lipofuscin emission from the macular tissue at an excitation wavelength that lies outside the macular pigment absorption range and outside the excitation range of interfering fluorophores. The collected light is quantified at each of a plurality of locations in the macular tissue and the macular pigment levels in the macular tissue are determined from the differing lipofuscin emission intensities in the macula and peripheral retina.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for characterizing tissue in vivo, e.g., in walls of blood vessels, to determine whether the tissue is healthy or diseased, and include methods of displaying results with or without thresholds.

Abstract: Prolonged and severe tissue hypoxia results in tissue necrosis in pedicled flaps. We demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting viability of compromised tissue portions. This approach clearly identifies tissue regions with low oxygen supply, and also the severity of this challenge, in a rapid and non-invasive manner, with a high degree of reproducibility. Early, nonsubjective detection of poor tissue oxygenation following surgery increases the likelihood that intervention aimed at saving the tissue will be successful.

Abstract: Method and system for measuring physiological parameters. The method includes capturing a sequence of images of a human face and identifying the location of the face in a frame of the video and establishing a region of interest including the face. Pixels are separated in the region of interest in a frame into at least two channel values forming raw traces over time. The raw traces are decomposed into at least two independent source signals. At least one of the source signals is processed to obtain a physiological parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for optical detection of the condition of a joint. The invention proposes: irradiating a subject's body part (5) comprising at least one joint with light and locally detecting attenuation of the light at the at least one joint and at least one other portion of the body part (5), wherein the sampling frequency for locally detecting attenuation of the light is higher than the frequency of the subject's heartbeat.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems to optically analyze samples such as tissue based on speckle patterns of microscopic motion, such as Brownian motion.

Abstract: A method for analyzing mucosa structure with optical coherence tomography (OCT) is provided, and includes: (a) scanning a mucosa sample with optical coherence tomography; (b) choosing a lateral range from a two- or three-dimensional OCT image and analyzing all the A-scan intensity profiles in the lateral range; (c) calculating three indicators in each A-scan intensity profile, including the standard deviation for a certain depth range below the sample surface, the exponential decay constant of the spatial-frequency spectrum and the epithelium thickness under the condition that the basement membrane is identifiable; and (d) using the three indicators of each A-scan intensity profile within the lateral range to analyze the mucosa structure.

Abstract: Technologies generally applicable to detecting skin conditions are disclosed. A computer graphics scanning apparatus may be configured to capture skin image data, and use the captured skin image data to calculate a subsurface transfer function for the skin, which may identify subsurface properties of the skin. The identified subsurface properties may be correlated to one or more skin conditions for medical and/or cosmetic treatment diagnosis.

Abstract: Time-resolved optical tomography systems using a short pulse laser, may be used in detection and treatment of cancer and tumors. Information is conveyed about tissue interior by the temporal variation of the observed scattered, and reflected measured when short-pulse lasers interact with scattering-absorbing media like tissue. Multiple scattering-induced temporal signature that persists for time periods greater than the duration of the source pulse and is a function of the source pulse width, the scattering and absorbing properties of the medium, and the location in the medium where the properties undergo changes. If the detection is carried out on the same short time scale (comparable to the order of the pulse width), the signal continues to be observed even for long durations after the pulse has been off due to the time taken for the photons to migrate to the detector after multiple scattering in the tissue media.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of substances, compositions, constituents, proportionalities, of examined objects, and abnormalities and diseases associated with human tissue responsive to detected amplitudes and/or frequencies, such as resonant frequencies from the object/body being examined. Data in a database is utilized to identify the unbalanced condition, the foreign, toxic or harmful substance. The identified condition/substance may be used as an aid to select an appropriate treatment or corrective action.

Abstract: A system and method for the in situ discrimination of healthy and diseased tissue. A fiberoptic based probe is employed to direct ultraviolet illumination onto a tissue specimen and to collect the fluorescent response radiation. The response radiation is observed at three selected wavelengths, one of which corresponds to an isosbestic point. In one example, the isosbestic point occurs at about 431 nm. The intensities of the observed signals are normalized using the 431 nm intensity. A score is determined using the ratios in a discriminant analysis. The tissue under examination is resected or not, based on the diagnosis of disease or health, according to the outcome of the discriminant analysis.

Abstract: A device elucidates reaction dynamics of photoreactive compounds present in a region of interest (ROI) of a tissue, the ROI being submitted to a controllably-varying and spatially homogenous magnetic field. The device includes at least one electrical coil or magnet for externally applying a magnetic field to the ROI. The device further includes light sources for probing the ROI with a probe optical beam and for illuminating the ROI with an optical beam having a wavelength and power level suitable for activating the photoreactive compounds. Collectors are also provided to collect the light emitted from various photoluminescence mechanisms that occur in the optically-activated ROI when the probe beam is incident on it and then to detect the collected light over predetermined wavelength bands. Finally, a computer is used to analyze the detected light for assessing the effects of the external magnetic field applied to the ROI.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for detecting cancerous, pre-cancerous and benign/normal tissue using phosphorescence or the combination of fluorescence and phosphorescence emission from the tissue excited in 280 to 340 nm range. In particular, the application describes methods using a ratio of intensity of fluorescence emission to intensity of phosphorescence emission to provide a rapid cancer, pre-cancer and benign detection method. Normal human breast and prostate tissue, excited in 270 to 300 nm range, express the emission signatures at 340 nm, 440 nm and 500 nm. Cancerous tissue shows only minor emissions at 500 nm, thus the ratio of 340 nm peak to 500 nm peak emission intensities provides information about malignancy of a tissue. Fiber optic based instrumentation can be used to collect the luminescence signal from an area of a tissue less than 1 mm in diameter and using the described method can be screened to determine the state of the tissue sample taken.

Abstract: The cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue visualization method includes providing a fluorescence intensity image and a fluorescence lifetime image of the tissue; identifying in the fluorescence lifetime image first pixels corresponding to a region of healthy tissue and second pixels corresponding to a region of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissue; defining a weighting function mapping fluorescence lifetime values onto weighting factors in a range from a low weighting factor to a high weighting factor such that the weighting function maps a lifetime value contained in the first pixels onto the low weighting factor and a lifetime value contained in the second pixels onto the high weighting factor; producing a weighted fluorescence intensity image by weighting the intensity values contained in the pixels of the fluorescence intensity image with weighting factors obtained by evaluation of the weighting function at the lifetime values contained in corresponding pixels of the fluorescence lifetime image.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for a diagnosis and/or therapy monitoring of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It comprises at least a rest or support device (1) for holding at least one extremity (11) of a person. Thereby, the support device has the task of facilitating the at least one extremity, preferably two extremities, for instance the two hands to be comfortably and immovably placed as long as possible. This support device can be provided with a rest with several accessories, such as indentations, bowl-like recesses, ridges, elastic or non-elastic straps and/or loops, etc. Furthermore, at least an excitation source (2) for at least partially illuminating one extremity at least with a radiation of defined excitation wavelength. Furthermore, at least an image sensor (3) is incorporated for capturing at least a reference signal from the extremity as well as several signals from the regions of medical interest (ROI) of the extremity (11).

Abstract: A system and method for examining or imaging brain functions of a subject includes a light source and a light detector located on the exterior surface of the subject's head. The light source introduces transcranially optical radiation into the brain of a subject, and the light detector detects radiation that has migrated in a brain region from the light source to the detector. The system also provides brain stimulation and evaluates the detected radiation to determine a brain cognitive function of the subject. One embodiment of the system can detect a brain disorder. Another embodiment of the system can detect “deceit.” In addition to the optical module, the system may include other optional modules such as an EEG module, an MEG module, a thermography module, a respiratory module, a skin conductivity module, and a blood pressure module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a vital parameter of a patient by measuringattenuation of light emitted onto tissue of the patient, comprising the following steps: modulating the light with a modulation frequency or/and a modulation code; emitting the modulated light onto the tissue of the patient; collecting lightwhich is transmitted through the tissue or/and which is reflected from the tissue; demodulating the collected light; analyzing the demodulated collected light with regard to interference with ambient light; determining amodulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold; and setting the modulation frequency or/and the modulation code for modulating the light according to the determined modulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold.

Abstract: An optical system for examination of biological tissue includes a light source, a light detector, optics and electronics. The light source generates a light beam, transmitted to the biological tissue, spaced apart from the source. The light detector is located away (i.e., in a non-contact position) from the examined biological tissue and is constructed to detect light that has migrated in the examined tissue. The electronics controls the light source and the light detector, and a system separates the reflected photons (e.g., directly reflected or scattered from the surface or superficial photons) from the photons that have migrated in the examined tissue. The system prevents detection of the “noise” photons by the light detector or, after detection, eliminates the “noise” photons in the detected optical data used for tissue examination.

Abstract: A medical observation system, which includes a medical probe that observes a subject by scanning on the subject with laser light; a laser source that supplies the laser light to the medical probe; a judgment unit that judges whether the medical probe is in a predetermined state; and a control unit that controls an amount of laser light emitted from the laser source based on a judgment result by the judgment unit.

Abstract: A device for use in non-invasive monitoring of a human or animal subject's bodily functions in vivo, comprises: a first optical system for identifying the center (1) of a pupil (13) of an eye of the subject, said first system comprising a first light source (2) for directing light towards the eye, first receiving means for receiving light reflected from the iris (4) of the eye, and first processing means for determining the position of the center (1) of the pupil (13) from the light reflected (3) from the iris; a second optical system comprising a second light source (14) directing light to a focussing means (15) for focussing light in the plane of the pupil (13) and for directing the focussed light onto the retina (10) of the eye, a second receiving means for receiving light reflected (17) from the retina and back through the pupil (13), and second processing means for analyzing the light reflected from the retina (10); and alignment means for aligning the second system with the center (1) of the pupil (1