395 results about "Confocal" patented technology

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Utilization of a contact device placed on the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One of the parameters to be detected includes non-invasive blood analysis utilizing chemical changes and chemical products that are found in the conjunctiva and in the tear film. A transensor mounted in the contact device laying on the cornea or the surface of the eye is capable of evaluating and measuring physical and chemical parameters in the eye including non-invasive blood analysis. The system utilizes eye lid motion and/or closure of the eye lid to activate a microminiature radio frequency sensitive transensor mounted in the contact device. The signal can be communicated by wires or radio telemetered to an externally placed receiver. The signal can then be processed, analyzed and stored. Several parameters can be detected including a complete non-invasive analysis of blood components, measurement of systemic and ocular blood flow, measurement of heart rate and respiratory rate, tracking operations, detection of ovulation, detection of radiation and drug effects, diagnosis of ocular and systemic disorders and the like.

A method for simultaneous transmission x-ray computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) comprises the steps of: injecting a subject with a tracer compound tagged with a gamma-ray emitting nuclide; directing an x-ray source toward the subject; rotating the x-ray source around the subject; emitting x-rays during the rotating step; rotating a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) two-sided detector on an opposite side of the subject from the source; simultaneously detecting the position and energy of each pulsed x-ray and each emitted gamma-ray captured by the CZT detector; recording data for each position and each energy of each the captured x-ray and gamma-ray; and, creating CT and SPECT images from the recorded data. The transmitted energy levels of the x-rays lower are biased lower than energy levels of the gamma-rays. The x-ray source is operated in a continuous mode. The method can be implemented at ambient temperatures.

A multichannel cochlear implant system spatially spreads the excitation pattern in the target neural tissue by either: (1) rapid sequential stimulation of a small group of electrodes, or (2) simultaneously stimulating a small group of electrodes. Such multi-electrode stimulation stimulates a greater number of neurons in a synchronous manner, thereby increasing the amplitude of the extra-cellular voltage fluctuation and facilitating its recording. The electrical stimuli are applied simultaneously (or sequentially at a rapid rate) on selected small groups of electrodes while monitoring the evoked compound action potential (ECAP) on a nearby electrode. The presence of an observable ECAP not only validates operation of the implant device at a time when the patient may be unconscious or otherwise unable to provide subjective feedback, but also provides a way for the magnitude of the observed ECAP to be recorded as a function of the amplitude of the applied stimulus. From this data, a safe, efficacious and comfortable threshold level can be obtained which may be used thereafter as the initial setting of the stimulation parameters of the neurostimulation device, or to guide the setting of the stimulation parameters of the neurostimulation device.

An apparatus and method for the phototherapy of different skin conditions, particularly acne vulgaris and seborrhea. The invention transporting compounds, and/or a methylene blue solution. The apparatus includes at least one narrow spectral band light source with spectral emittance concentrated in the violet/blue spectral band and an optical system for controlling spectra and beam parameters of said light source and a mechanical fixture for holding the said light source at an adjustable distance and direction related to the skin treated area, and an electonic unit to control the duration and power and spectral bands of the emitted radiation.

The invention provides a class of samples that model the human body. This family of samples is based upon emulsions of oil in water with lecithin acting as the emulsifier. These solutions that have varying particle sizes may be spiked with basis set components (albumin, urea and glucose) to simulate skin tissues further. The family of samples is such that other organic compounds such as collagen, elastin, globulin and bilirubin may be added, as can salts such as Na+, K+ and Cl-. Layers of varying thickness with known index of refraction and particle size distributions may be generated using simple crosslinking reagents, such as collagen (gelatin). The resulting samples are flexible in each analyte's concentration and match the skin layers of the body in terms of the samples reduced scattering and absorption coefficients, mums and muma. This family of samples is provided for use in the medical field where lasers and spectroscopy based analyzers are used in treatment of the body. In particular, knowledge may be gained on net analyte signal, photon depth of penetration, photon radial diffusion, photon interaction between tissue layers, photon density (all as a function of frequency) and on instrument parameter specifications such as resolution and required dynamic range (A/D bits required). In particular, applications to delineate such parameters have been developed for the application of noninvasive glucose determination in the near-IR region from 700 to 2500 nm with an emphasis on the region 1000 to 2500 nm (10,000 to 4,000 cm-1).

The present application relates to microfluidic devices and related technologies, and to chemical processes using such devices. More specifically, the application discloses a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner. In particular, this application describe an automated, stand-alone, microfluidic instrument for the multi-step chemical synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as probes for PET and a method of using such instruments.

A near infrared fluorescent contrast agent comprising a compound having three or more sulfonic acid groups in a molecule, and a method of fluorescence imaging comprising introducing the near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention into a living body, exposing the body to an excitation light, and detecting near infrared fluorescence from the contrast agent. The near infrared fluorescent contrast agent of the present invention is excited by an excitation light and emits near infrared fluorescence. This infrared fluorescence is superior in transmission through biological tissues. Thus, detection of lesions in the deep part of a living body has been made possible. In addition, the inventive contrast agent is superior in water solubility and low toxic, and therefore, it can be used safely.

The present invention provides an apparatus for measurement of Raman scattered radiation comprising. The apparatus comprises at least one source of electromagnetic radiation for producing an electromagnetic radiation beam characterized by a narrow spectral width, an integrating cavity having an interior and an exterior, wherein a sample is placed in said interior. The integrating cavity further having at least one port for insertion of the sample in the interior and for transmission of the electromagnetic radiation into and out from the interior, the at least one port extending from the exterior to said interior of said integrating cavity. The integrating cavity also comprises a first optical element for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the interior of the integrating cavity through the at least one port, and a second optical element for collecting Raman scattered electromagnetic radiation from the sample through the at least one port. The apparatus also comprises a spectrum analyzer for determining spectral composition of the Raman scattered electromagnetic radiation, a detector for measuring the Raman scattered electromagnetic radiation; and a system for determining concentration of at least one chemical compound from the measured Raman scattered electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus may also comprise a radiation expanding element. A method for measuring the concentration of one or more chemical compounds in a sample using Raman scattering is also provided.

A system and methods for enhancing mass production of algae, diatoms or other photosynthetic organism is described. The system and methods are useful in applications such as energy production, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and CO₂ fixation. The system and methods involve the use of a submersed rotating pole(s) on which lights are branched out at strategic intervals in order to appropriately increase contact between photosynthetic water-based organisms and light. Rotation can timed so as to disperse light and/or nutrients when the organism is in a receiving mode. A process flow system is also described which can be scaled for the mass production of photosynthetic based organism. This process system makes use of centralized automatable controls and linear or parallel growth tanks. The system can be used for continuous or batch methods of production of bio-mass whose values such as lipids or carbohydrate can be extracted for the production of fuels or other byproducts.

A light-shielding film for exposure light is formed on one principal plane of a transparent substrate made of quartz or the like that serves as a photomask substrate. The light-shielding film can serve not only as the so-called “light-shielding film” but also as an anti-reflection film. In addition, the light-shielding film has a total thickness of 100 nm or less, 70% or more of which is accounted for by the thickness of a chromium compound that has an optical density (OD) per unit thickness of 0.025 nm⁻¹ for light having a wavelength of 450 nm. In the case where the photomask blank is used for fabricating a mask designed for ArF exposure, the thickness and composition of the light-shielding film are selected in such a manner that the OD of the light-shielding film is 1.2 to 2.3 for 193 or 248 nm wavelength light.

The invention belongs to the field of optical precision measurement and relates to a method and a device for measuring the appearance and the wall thickness of a sphere by combining a differential confocal confocal technology and point-diffraction interference. The method realizes the high-precision rapid measurement on the appearance of the outer surface of the sphere by using the point-diffraction interference, the rotation of the measured sphere and the splice of a measuring sub-aperture; and the appearance and wall thickness of the inner surface and the outer surface of a key area of a transparent or semitransparent sphere can be scanned and measured point by point by using the differentia confocal technology. The invention organically integrates a point-diffraction interference technology and the differentia confocal technology so as to realize the synchronous measurement on the appearance and the wall thickness of the inner surface and the outer surface of the sphere, and aims to solve the difficult problems that the traditional AFM or a single confocal sensor and the other scanning methods have low measuring speed, low efficiency, easy leakage in measurement and the like during measuring the surface of the sphere. The invention has broad application prospect in the fields of testing the appearance and the wall thickness of a laser fusion pellet, the appearance and the outline of a spherical surface and the like.

The present invention is related to optical non-invasive methods and instruments to detect the level of analyte concentrations in the tissue of a subject. The spectra of mid-infrared radiation emitted from a subject's body are altered corresponding to the concentration of various compounds within the radiating tissue. In one aspect of the invention, an instrument measures the level of mid-infrared radiation from the subject's body surface, such as the eye, and determines a specific analyte's concentration based on said analyte's distinctive mid-infrared radiation signature.

Microtiter-like plates containing virtual wells formed by an arrangement of relatively hydrophilic domains within relatively hydrophobic fields are provided. Assay mixtures are confined to the hydrophilic domains of the virtual wells by the edges of the hydrophobic fields. The use of virtual wells allows one to perform homogeneous and capture and wash high throughput screening assays with assay mixtures having volumes on the order of about 100 nl to 10 mu. Virtual wells also provide a means of easily moving fluids, which is particularly useful for simultaneous additions needed for kinetic studies and flash detection and washing. Methods for controlling evaporation during the dispensing of reagents as well as during incubation of high throughput screening utilizing microtiter-like plates containing virtual wells are also provided. The present invention also provides an inexpensive, disposable device for transferring small volumes of an entire array of compounds from a first microtiter-like plate to a second microtiter-like plate, preserving the spatial arrangement of the compounds. Methods of manufacturing and using the device are also provided.