3543 results about "Spectroscopy" patented technology

The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for analysis of an analyte. The method involves providing a zero-mode waveguide which includes a cladding surrounding a core where the cladding is configured to preclude propagation of electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency longitudinally through the core of the zero-mode waveguide. The analyte is positioned in the core of the zero-mode waveguide and is then subjected, in the core of the zero-mode waveguide, to activating electromagnetic radiation of a frequency less than the cut-off frequency under conditions effective to permit analysis of the analyte in an effective observation volume which is more compact than if the analysis were carried out in the absence of the zero-mode waveguide.

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. The methods and devices of the inventions are particularly well-suited for determining the wavelength-dependent attenuation of a sample and using the attenuation to restore the intrinsic laser induced fluorescence of the sample. In turn, the attenuation and intrinsic laser induced fluorescence can be used to determined a characteristic of interest, such as the ischemic or hypoxic condition of biological tissue.

FDPM processing provides an amplitude signal and a phase signal at a modulation frequency to improve measurement fidelity during measurement of one or more blood parameters. In an embodiment, a light source modulates light at a modulation frequency around 200 MHz to produce an amplitude and phase plethysmograph, usable to access clinical test data.

A method and program prevents a user from bypassing a limit placed on a specified operating life of a sensor by disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. The present invention checks a characteristic of the sensor to see if the sensor is used prior to the connection of the sensor, and rejects the sensor if the sensor is determined to have been used before. The process of checking the characteristic of the sensor involves performing an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure and calculating an impedance value. The impedance value can be compared to various threshold values for a variety of purposes including the determination of age, condition, hydration, and stabilization of the sensor.

A method and system that enables a user to maintain a sensor in real time. The present invention involves performing a diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure to measure sensor impedance value in order to determine if the sensor is operating at an optimal level. If the sensor is not operating at an optimal level, the present invention may further involve performing a sensor remedial action. The sensor remedial action involves reversing the DC voltage being applied between the working electrode and the reference electrode. The reversed DC voltage may be coupled with an AC voltage to extend its reach.

The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for analysis of an analyte. The method involves providing a zero-mode waveguide which includes a cladding surrounding a core where the cladding is configured to preclude propagation of electromagnetic energy of a frequency less than a cutoff frequency longitudinally through the core of the zero-mode waveguide. The analyte is positioned in the core of the zero-mode waveguide and is then subjected, in the core of the zero-mode waveguide, to activating electromagnetic radiation of a frequency less than the cut-off frequency under conditions effective to permit analysis of the analyte in an effective observation volume which is more compact than if the analysis were carried out in the absence of the zero-mode waveguide.

The present invention generally relates to nanoantenna arrays and methods of their fabrication. In particular, one aspect relates to nanoantenna arrays comprising nanostructures of predefined shapes in predefined patterns, which results in collective excitement of surface plasmons. In some embodiments the nanoantenna arrays can be used for spectroscopy and nanospectroscopy. Another aspects of the present invention relate to a method of high-throughput fabrication of nanoantenna arrays includes fabricating a reusable nanostencil for nanostensil lithography (NSL) which provides a mask to deposit materials onto virtually any support, such as flexible and thin-film stretchable supports. The nanostencil lithography methods enable high quality, high-throughput fabrication of nanostructures on conducting, non-conducting and magnetic supports. The nanostencil can be prepared by etching nanoapertures of predefined patterns into a waffer or ceramic membrane. In some embodiments, a nanoantenna array comprises plasmonic nanostructures or non-plasmonic nanostructures.

In a system and method for analyzing and treating a body lumen, a lumen-expanding balloon catheter with integrated one or more delivery waveguides and one or more collection waveguides is used to perform optical analysis of the tissues surrounding the lumen during expansion. The catheter can comprise an angioplasty catheter with integrated delivery waveguides and collection waveguides to perform spectroscopy of a stenotic plaque during angioplasty.

An imaging system / camera consisting of multiple nano-sized optical elements arranged in an array format with more than one pixel per optical element will have a higher resolution than each element would be capable of individually, since each element being at a different point gathers slightly different overlapping information. Hence by processing such information one can obtain a clear image. Furthermore multiple information from sectors of an array of sensors can be processed to obtain 3-D, stereotypic and panoramic imaging and may be connected to each other allowing seeing around obstacles as well as enabling full 3-D tracking and / or metric determination of an unknown object. Color / spectroscopic imaging can be achieved by utilizing equally sized lenses and multi-wavelength sensing layers below the lenses. However, color / spectroscopic imaging and / or spectroscopy can be achieved by taking advantage of unique optical properties of nano-scaled lenses accepting various wavelengths below their diffraction limits.

The use of electrical impedance spectroscopy to adjust calibration settings in an in vivo monitoring system, such as an in vivo continuous glucose monitoring sensor. The adjustments can compensate for the condition of the sensor membrane in vivo.

Embodiments of the invention pertain to a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI / S). In a specific embodiment, the method and apparatus for MRI / S can be applied at two or more resonant frequencies utilizing a wireless RF receiving coil. In an embodiment, the wireless coil, which can be referred to as the implant coil, can be incorporated into an implantable structure. The implantable structure can then be implanted in a living body. The wireless RF receiving coil can be inductively coupled to another RF coil, which can be referred to as an external coil, for receiving the signal from the wireless implant RF coil. In an embodiment, the implantable structure can be a capsule compatible with implantation in a living body. The implantable structure can incorporate a mechanism for adjusting the impedance of the implant coil so as to alter the resonance frequency of the implant coil. In a specific embodiment, the mechanism for adjusting the impedance of the implant coil can allow the implant coil to receive at least two resonance frequencies. In an embodiment, the implant coil can receive three resonance frequencies and in a further embodiment, the implant coil can receive any number resonance frequencies. These resonance frequencies can be controlled by adjusting the impedance of the implant coil. In an embodiment, the resonance frequencies of the implant coil are selected to correlate to MRI / S signals received from living tissues.

An improved method and an improved instrument for analyte determination that uses infrared radiation naturally emitted by subject are disclosed. The method is based on Thermal Emission Spectroscopy (TES) whereby the spectral signal is measured in reference to a body's physiological and ambient parameters. The instrument that realizes the method incorporates temperature and humidity sensors. Ambient environmental parameters and subject parameters as disclosed allow normalization of spectrally specific analyte signal for grater precision and accuracy of analytes concentration determination. Such improvement leads to a universal calibration in, for example, non-invasive blood glucose measurements in human subjects.

One aspect of the invention provides a device that non-invasively determines the concentration of a substance in a target. The device includes a first electrode, a measuring circuit, and a data processor. In one embodiment of the device, the first electrode can be electrically insulated from the target, e.g., a cover layer of insulating material covers the first electrode.

The present invention includes apparatuses and methods for mitigating the effects of foreign interferents on analyte measurements. The present invention comprises several interferent mitigation steps. Examples include sample cleaning procedures, detection of the presence of interferents, determination of the identity of interferents, and modification or selection of a multivariate calibration model to mitigate the effects of one or more interferents on analyte measurements. The interferent mitigation steps of the present invention can be applied individually, and in some embodiments can be applied in combination. Some examples of relevant analyte measurements include the noninvasive determination of the presence or concentration of alcohol, glucose, urea, byproducts of alcohol metabolism, and substances of abuse.

A process for operation of a laser device (1) is described, whereby circulating light pulses each comprising spectral components according to a plurality of longitudinal modes of a resonator configuration (3) are generated in the resonator configuration (3) and subjected to a compensation of group velocity dispersion, and a predetermined linear dispersion is introduced into the light path of the resonator configuration (3), so that at least one mode has a predetermined frequency and / or the mode distance between the modes has a predetermined value. Furthermore, regulations for stabilizing the laser device on the basis of this process and applications of the regulations for the generation for stabilized, ultra-short light pulses, generation of optical frequencies and in the frequency and / or time measuring technique as well as in the spectroscopy are described.

During the structural analysis of a protein or peptide by tandem mass spectroscopy, a peptide ion derived from a protein that has already been measured and that is expressed in great quantities is avoided as a tandem mass spectroscopy target. A peptide derived from a minute amount of protein, which has heretofore been difficult to analyze, can be automatically determined as a tandem mass spectroscopy target within the real time of measurement. Data concerning a protein that has already been measured and a peptide derived from the protein is automatically stored in an internal database. The stored data is collated with measured data with high accuracy to determine an isotope peak. In this way, the process of selecting a peptide peak that has not been measured as the target for the next tandem analysis can be performed within the real time of measurement and a redundant measurement of peptides derived from the same protein can be avoided. The information contained in the MSn spectrum is effectively utilized in each step of the MSn involving a multi-stage dissociation and mass spectroscopy (MSn), so that the flows for the determination of the next analysis content and the selection of the parent ion for the MSn+1 analysis, for example, can be optimized within the real time of measurement and with high efficiency and accuracy. Thus, a target of concern to the user can be subjected to tandem mass spectroscopy without wasteful measurement.

An optical spectroscopy apparatus determines the concentration of analyte in a specimen that utilizes a single radiation source which is hybrid laser comprising a semiconductor pump laser and small-cavity rare earth fiber laser where laser cavities of both lasers are butt coupled or otherwise optically coupled to form a plurality of laser cavities that produce a plurality of emission wavelengths, one which may be the pump laser emission wavelength at the output of the fiber laser thereby forming a multi-wavelength combined output where the wavelengths substantially match distinguishing spectral characteristic features along at least a portion of a characteristic optical spectrum of the analyte under examination. In lieu of complex data analysis of these wavelengths to determine values representing the concentration of the analyte in an examined specimen, the semiconductor pump laser or lasers are modulated as a plurality of tone frequencies, where at least a first of the modulation frequencies is below the maximum frequency response of the fiber laser so that the first modulation effectively modulates the pump emission wavelength and a first emission wavelength of the fiber laser in the hybrid laser combined output, and at least a second of modulation frequencies is above the maximum frequency response of the fiber laser so that the second modulation effectively modulates the pump emission wavelength but not the first emission wavelength of the fiber laser in the hybrid laser combined output. Further, one or more additional modulation frequencies may be applied to the pump laser which are intermediate of the first and second modulation frequencies where it is at least responsive to at least one further emission wavelength of the fiber laser and also provided in the hybrid laser combined output.

A device and method for identifying the composition of a target sample. The target sample may be a matrix such as a metal alloy, a soil sample, or a work of art. The device includes an x-ray fluorescence detector that produces an x-ray signal output in response to the target sample. The device also includes an optical spectroscope that produces an optical signal output in response to the target sample. Further, a processor is included that analyzes and combines the x-ray signal output and the optical signal output to determine the composition of the test material. In one embodiment, the optical spectroscope is a laser induced photon fluorescence detector.

Method and apparatus of spectroscopy or the like on extremely small samples in which a drop is held between two opposing surfaces by surface tension and one surface is controllably toward and away from the other. To provide and transmit exciting energy through the drop for measurement, optical fibers go through a surface and finish flush with the surface. One of the surfaces can be swung clear of the other for easy cleaning between tests. Means for determining wetted surface are provided.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy systems and methods are provided. One system includes a source of x-ray radiation and an excitation optic disposed between the x-ray radiation source and the sample for collecting x-ray radiation from the source and focusing the x-ray radiation to a focal point on the sample to incite at least one analyte in the sample to fluoresce. The system further includes an x-ray fluorescence detector and a collection optic comprising a doubly curved diffracting optic disposed between the sample and the x-ray fluorescence detector for collecting x-ray fluorescence from the focal point on the sample and focusing the fluorescent x-rays towards the x-ray fluorescence detector.

A method for improving the treatment and / or examination of vessel walls through fluid, such as blood, functions by identifying the points in time when the catheter is closest to the vessel wall or farthest from the vessel wall. Identification of this relative location enables improved spectral readings in larger vessels. In short, instead of trying to overcome motion (e.g., by centering the catheter), this approach takes advantage of motion by identify times when the catheter is closer to the vessel wall, in order to gather more useful spectral information or improve the efficacy of the treatment of the vessel walls. In the specific example, the invention is used for near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. In some embodiments, the catheter head is designed to induce relative movement between the head and the vessel walls.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a meter and a disposable cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample confined to the disposable cartridge. The fluid sample, particularly blood, is drawn into the cartridge by capillary action, negative pressure, positive pressure, or combination thereof. The cartridge has at least one flow path, which includes at least one optical chamber for spectroscopic measurement, and at least one biosensor for biosensor measurement. The meter has a sample slot for receiving the disposable cartridge. The cartridges have electrical output contacts, and the meter slot has electrical input contacts. When the output contacts mate with the input contacts, the optical chamber becomes positioned for spectroscopic measurement. Neither biosensors nor spectroscopy can be used alone to measure key analytes in blood for effective patient care. The present invention provides joint-diagnostic spectroscopic and biosensor measurements. Optionally, plasma can be extracted from whole blood, for measuring analytes that cannot be measured accurately in whole blood. The invention provides a wider panel of blood analytes using as little as a drop of blood, at the point of patient care.

A method of removing abnormal data in a blood component analysis system using spectroscopy to estimate a concentration of a blood component by analyzing a photo-plethysmographic (PPG) signal obtained by radiating light of first and second wavelengths reacting to the blood component on a subject and detecting light corresponding to the first and second wavelengths output from the subject, includes collecting the PPG signal corresponding to the first and second wavelengths for a predetermined unit period of time, calculating "n" parameters, with respect to "n" pulse data included in the collected PPG signal, where n is a positive integer, calculating an average of the "n" parameters, and comparing a ratio of a number of parameters whose deviation from the average is greater than a predetermined standard deviation to the "n" parameters with a predetermined removal reference value to determine whether the "n" pulse data is valid.

An ingestible pill platform for colon imaging is provided, designed to recognize its entry to the colon and expand in the colon, for improved imaging of the colon walls. On approaching the external anal sphincter muscle, the ingestible pill may contract or deform, for elimination. Colon recognition may be based on a structural image, based on the differences in diameters between the small intestine and the colon, and particularly, based on the semilunar fold structure, which is unique to the colon. Additionally or alternatively, colon recognition may be based on a functional image, based on the generally inflammatory state of the vermiform appendix. Additionally or alternatively, pH, flora, enzymes and (or) chemical analyses may be used to recognize the colon. The imaging of the colon walls may be functional, by nuclear-radiation imaging of radionuclide-labeled antibodies, or by optical-fluorescence-spectroscopy imaging of fluorescence-labeled antibodies. Additionally or alternatively, it may be structural, for example, by visual, ultrasound or MRI means. Due to the proximity to the colon walls, the imaging in accordance with the present invention is advantageous to colonoscopy or virtual colonoscopy, as it is designed to distinguish malignant from benign tumors and detect tumors even at their incipient stage, and overcome blood-pool background radioactivity.

A device and method for analyzing an organic sample provide high spatial resolution. A focused ion beam is directed onto the organic sample. Fragments detached from the sample are examined using mass spectroscopy.

The instant invention involves the use of a combination of preparatory steps in conjunction with mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight detection procedures to maximize the diversity of biopolymers which are verifiable within a particular sample. The cohort of biopolymers verified within such a sample is then viewed with reference to their ability to evidence at least particular disease state; thereby enabling a diagnostician to gain the ability to characterize either the presence or absence of at least one disease state relative to recognition of the presence and / or the absence of the biopolymer.

A method and apparatus for remote laser-based detection of gas at levels exceeding natural background levels preferably utilizing wavelength modulated tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, background gas and noise are estimated using statistical moving average and variance calculations. Gas concentration length measurements resulting from the spectroscopy are preferably compared in real-time or near-real-time to the sum of the background and noise estimates and an alarm limit to detect gas presence of concern. Gas levels exceeding this detection threshold are preferably indicated by a prolonged output tone with a pitch indicative of the magnitude of the gas measurement, and gas levels below the detection threshold are preferably indicated by silence.

Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

A design and a fabrication method for an intravascular imaging and therapeutic catheters for combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and for optical and / or acoustic therapy of hollow organs and diseased blood vessels and tissues are disclosed in the present invention. The invention comprises both a device—optical fiber-based intravascular catheter designs for combined IVUS / IVPA, and elasticity imaging and for acoustic and / or optical therapy—and a method of combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and optical and / or acoustic therapy. The designs of the catheters are based on single-element catheter-based ultrasound transducers or on ultrasound array-based units coupled with optical fiber, fiber bundles or a combination thereof with specially designed light delivery systems. One approach uses the side fire fiber, similar to the one utilized for biomedical optical spectroscopy. The second catheter design uses the micro-optics in the manner of a probe for optical coherent tomography.