2515results about "Investigating moving fluids/granular solids" patented technology

Systems, and components thereof, for analyzing samples. These systems include apparatus and methods for generating, transmitting, detecting, and / or analyzing light, including without limitation high-throughput optical screening devices for analyzing samples at one or more assay sites. These systems also include apparatus and methods for supporting samples for analysis, including without limitation multiwell sample holders such as microplates.

A method of detecting at least one analyte in extra-cellular spaces includes the step of inserting a microprobe through the stratum corneum toward the stratum basale of the skin of a subject into extra-cellular spaces containing interstitial fluid having at least one analyte to be detected, said microprobe having a diameter at its tip no larger than approximately 10-50 microns. The method further includes optically testing for a predetermined analyte in the extra-cellular space adjacent the distal end of the microprobe without drawing a sample of the interstitial fluid. Preferably the microprobe body includes a sensor layer covering the distal optical tip of the microprobe body, the sensor layer being adapted to interact with a predetermined analyte to be detected in the interstitial fluid, and an optical detector responsive to interaction of the sensor layer with the predetermined analyte to signal detection of said predetermined analyte.

An exposure apparatus, wherein an exposure of a substrate (P) is carried out by filling at least a portion of the space between a projection optical system and the substrate (P) with a liquid and projecting an image of a pattern onto the substrate (P) via the projection optical system and the liquid, includes a bubble detector (20) which detects air bubble or bubbles in the liquid between the projection optical system and the substrate (P). Consequently, the exposure apparatus is capable of suppressing deterioration of a pattern image caused by bubbles in the liquid when an exposure is carried out while filling the space between the projection optical system and the substrate with the liquid.

A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may, for instance, be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The captured and detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection (TIR) methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention. In addition, the biological samples imaged may be present on the surfaces of the support structure in a random special pattern and need not be at known locations in order for the imaging to be performed.

An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displace in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The device also includes an optical occlusion sensor which is synchronized to operate in phase with the movement of the cam followers to measure pressure within the delivery tube at one pump phase, thereby sensing downstream occlusions, and to measure vacuum within the delivery tube at a second pump phase, thereby sensing upstream occlusions. The occlusion sensor is optical, and measures the degree of total internal reflection at the interface of the tube and the plate assembly, occlusion in the tubing.

The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components. In one aspect, the invention relates to optical methods, devices and device components for measuring two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both from a separation chamber of a density centrifuge. In embodiment, two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both measured by the methods of the present invention comprise images of a separation chamber or component thereof, such as an optical cell of a separation chamber. In another aspect, the present invention relates to multifunctional monitoring and control systems for blood processing, particularly blood processing via density centrifugation. Feedback control systems are provided wherein two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both are measured, processed in real time and are used as the basis of output signals for controlling blood processing. In another aspect, optical cells and methods of using optical cells for monitoring and control blood processing are provided.

A method and apparatus for identifying tissue structures in advance of a mechanical medical instrument during a medical procedure. A mechanical tissue penetrating medical instrument (22) has a distal end for penetrating tissue in a penetrating direction. An optical wavefront analysis system (32-50) provides light to illuminate tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receives light returned by tissue ahead of the medical instrument. An optical fiber (30) is coupled at a proximal end to the wavefront analysis system and attached at a distal end to the medical instrument proximate the distal end of the medical instrument. The distal end of the fiber has an illumination pattern directed substantially in the penetrating direction for illuminating the tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receiving light returned therefrom. The wavefront analysis system provides information about the distance from the distal end of the medical instrument to tissue features ahead of the medical instrument.

A method and apparatus for identifying tissue structures in advance of a mechanical medical instrument during a medical procedure. A mechanical tissue penetrating medical instrument (22) has a distal end for penetrating tissue in a penetrating direction. An optical wavefront analysis system (32-50) provides light to illuminate tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receives light returned by tissue ahead of the medical instrument. An optical fiber (30) is coupled at a proximal end to the wavefront analysis system and attached at a distal end to the medical instrument proximate the distal end of the medical instrument. The distal end of the fiber has an illumination pattern directed substantially in the penetrating direction for illuminating the tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receiving light returned therefrom. The wavefront analysis system provides information about the distance from the distal end of the medical instrument to tissue features ahead of the medical instrument.

A compact particle sensor for detecting suspended particles includes a housing, a light source, a light receiver and a plurality of optical elements. The housing provides a test chamber and includes at least one opening for admitting particles into the test chamber, while simultaneously substantially preventing outside light from entering the test chamber. The light source is positioned for supplying a light beam within the test chamber. The plurality of optical elements are positioned to direct the light beam from the light source to the receiver, which is positioned to receive the light beam supplied by the light source.

A raindrop sensor includes a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element and a light guide body. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element face a transparent panel. The light guide body, which is mounted on the transparent panel, includes an input lens, an input side dividing surface, an output lens and an output side dividing surface. The input lens collimates light emitted by the light-emitting element to form an input side collimated light beam. The output lens receives the collimated light beam, which is collimated by the input lens and is reflected by a reference surface of the transparent panel, to which the raindrop attaches. The output lens converges the reflected collimated light beam toward the light-receiving element. An intersection between an imaginary extension of the input side dividing surface and an imaginary extension of the output side dividing surface is located on the reference surface of the transparent panel.

A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include patient line state detector for detecting whether a patient line is primed before it is to be connected to the patient. The patient line state detector can also the ability to detect whether a patient line has been properly mounted for priming. Both patient line presence / absence and fill state can be determined using an optical system, e.g., one that employs a single optical sensor.

Apparatus for automatically inspecting a stream of matter comprises lamps which emit a detection medium, such as IR or visible light, to be active at the matter, a rotary polygonal mirror which receives from a multiplicity of detection zones at the matter detection medium which has been varied by variations in the matter, an optical detection device which receives the varied medium by reflection from the mirror, to detect a plurality of wavelengths of the varied medium substantially simultaneously, and to generate detection data in respect of that plurality of wavelengths substantially simultaneously and in dependence upon the variations in the medium, and a microprocessor which obtains the detection data from the device. The beams of the varied medium which are received at the device and emanate from the zones travel along respective paths from the matter to the mirror 9 which paths converge continuously with respect to each other from the matter to the mirror. Those paths may extend to the mirror indirectly by way of at least one planar mirror, or directly to the mirror, in which latter case the axis of the mirror would be substantially parallel to the direction of advance of the matter.

A system enables indirect determination of a position vector (VR) of a point position (P). The system uses two fixed trackers (10 and 10′) whose absolute positions are known. A movable measuring device (20) provides a rigid rod (25) supporting a pair of reflectors (30 and 30′) which are mounted at fixed positions. A reference point (R) is mounted at a further fixed position on the rod (25) and is on a straight line (L) through the reflectors (30 and 30′). Light beams from the trackers (10 and 10′) acquire the reflectors (30 and 30′) so that when the reference point (R) is positioned at the point position (P), the position vector (VR) of point position (P) is determinate by vector addition.

Methods and apparatus for determining at least one property of fluids related to oilfield operations may include an optical calculation device for measuring light having interacted with the fluid (e.g., flowing fluids and flames). The flame may be fueled, at least in part, by the stream of fluid from the subsurface well. Methods may include directing interacted light that comprises light having passed through a fluid relating to an oilfield operation to an iris; performing a regression calculation on the interacted light with an optical calculation device responsive to the interacted light incident thereon to produce at least one output light signal; and determining at least one property of the fluid from the at least one output light signal.

An exposure apparatus performs an exposure of a substrate by filling at least a portion of the space between a projection optical system and the substrate with a liquid and projecting an image of a pattern onto the substrate via the projection optical system and the liquid. The apparatus includes a bubble detector that detects air bubble or bubbles in the liquid between the projection optical system and the substrate. Consequently, the exposure apparatus is capable of suppressing deterioration of a pattern image caused by bubbles in the liquid when an exposure is carried out while filling the space between the projection optical system and the substrate with the liquid.

The present invention provides methods and systems for aligning detection optics with a device by obtaining an optical profile of the system and comparing it with a preprogrammed layout of the various optical features of the device. The invention also provides methods of identifying devices by comparing the optical profile with a library of preprogrammed optical profiles of multiple devices.

A system for material excitation in microfluidic devices is described. Aspects of the invention resemble a submerged periscope when in use. They allow for light to be redirected along a more advantageous trajectory as does the maritime device. A prism with a reflecting surface may be used to direct a laser beam along one or more microfluidic trenches or channels. Alternatively, a reflecting surface may be provided in connection with a simple support. Directing a beam along multiple paths is preferably accomplished by scanning a single laser across or around the reflecting surface provided. Provision may be made for at least a portion of the submersible used to function as an electrode to assist in electrokinetically driving fluids and / or ions within the microfluidic device.

A microfluidic multiple channel particle analysis system (1) which allows particles (2) from a plurality of particle sources (3) to be independently simultaneously entrained in a corresponding plurality of fluid streams (4) for analysis and sorting into particle subpopulations (5) based upon one or more particle characteristics (6).

Methods and apparatus for improving the resolution of an electronic imaging device having an array of pixels. Sub-pixel dimension movements between an object and the array of pixels are made, and an image is formed at each position. Resulting shifted images are combined to yield an effective resolution corresponding to an array having smaller pixels. Such methods and apparatus allow optical systems with existing pixel devices to form effective images of smaller feature sizes.

A system for detecting a container or contents of the container. The system includes a diffuser for retaining the container, where the container is configured to hold an active material therein and may include a wick extending therefrom. The system further includes a sensor positioned to detect, for example, the container retained in the diffuser and / or the contents of the container retained in the diffuser.

The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and / or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and / or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.

A continuous wave laser excites a biological particle. Detection channels are created to detect light scattered by the biological particle, and to detect any auto-fluorescence emitted by the biological particle. Additional channels can also detect light emitted by auto-fluorescence of the biological particle when simultaneously excited by light at harmonics of the laser's fundamental wavelength. The biological particle is identified using Mie scattering and auto-fluorescence. Ratio-metric calculations generated by calculating ratios of detected peak heights or integrated pulse values in the channels provides additional information for identifying and classifying the biological particle. A warning or alert can be provided if the identified biological particle is a particle of interest.

A method of multivariate spectral analysis, termed augmented classical least squares (ACLS), provides an improved CLS calibration model when unmodeled sources of spectral variation are contained in a calibration sample set. The ACLS methods use information derived from component or spectral residuals during the CLS calibration to provide an improved calibration-augmented CLS model. The ACLS methods are based on CLS so that they retain the qualitative benefits of CLS, yet they have the flexibility of PLS and other hybrid techniques in that they can define a prediction model even with unmodeled sources of spectral variation that are not explicitly included in the calibration model. The unmodeled sources of spectral variation may be unknown constituents, constituents with unknown concentrations, nonlinear responses, non-uniform and correlated errors, or other sources of spectral variation that are present in the calibration sample spectra. Also, since the various ACLS methods are based on CLS, they can incorporate the new prediction-augmented CLS (PACLS) method of updating the prediction model for new sources of spectral variation contained in the prediction sample set without having to return to the calibration process. The ACLS methods can also be applied to alternating least squares models. The ACLS methods can be applied to all types of multivariate data.

The invention provides a smoke detection system and an intelligent control system using the same for a range hood. The intelligent control method comprises the following steps: analyzing captured images in a kitchen so as to perform smoke detection on the images and judge the smoke level; and setting the lampblack exhaust power of the range hood according to the smoke level, thus achieving the purpose of intelligent control on the range hood.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for detecting the level of a fluid in a surgical cassette by projecting light from a linear light source into a wall of a cassette. Depending on the amount a light reflected or refracted in the cassette (i.e., due to the cassette material / fluid interface or cassette material / air interface (or other interface)) various portions of a linear sensor array will be more or less illuminated. By examining the illumination of the linear sensor array, the level of fluid in the chamber can be determined.

A liquid immersion type exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a mask onto a substrate, a liquid film forming system for forming a liquid film in a predetermined region between the projection optical system and the substrate, and a sensor for detecting disappearance of at least a portion of the liquid film in the predetermined region.

An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.