1251 results about "Mid infrared" patented technology

A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively loosen the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

In embodiments of the present invention, a system and method of cytometry may include presenting a single sperm cell to at least one laser source configured to deliver light to the sperm cell in order to induce bond vibrations in the sperm cell DNA, and detecting the signature of the bond vibrations. The bond vibration signature is used to calculate a DNA content carried by the sperm cell which is used to identify the sperm cell as carrying an X-chromosome or Y-chromosome. Another system and method may include flowing cells past at least one QCL source one-by-one using a fluid handling system, delivering QCL light to a single cell to induce resonant mid-IR absorption by one or more analytes of the cell, and detecting, using a mid-infrared detection facility, the transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light, wherein the transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light is used to identify a cell characteristic.

Non-invasive, optical apparatus and methods for the direct measurement of hemoglobin derivatives and other analyte concentration levels in blood using diffuse reflection and transmission spectroscopy in the wavelength region 400-1350 nm which includes the transparent tissue window from approximately 610 to 1311 nanometers and, using diffuse reflection spectroscopy, the mid-infrared region from 4.3-12 microns in wavelength. Large area light collection techniques are utilized to provide a much larger pulsate signal than can be obtain with current sensor technology. Sensors used in separate or simultaneous precision measurements of both diffuse reflection and transmission, either separately or simultaneously, from pulsate, blood-perfused tissue for the subsequent determination of the blood analytes concentrations such as arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), oxyhemoglobin (OHb), deoxyhemoglobin (dOHb), methemoglobin (metHb), water (H2O), hematocrit (HCT), glucose, cholesterol and proteins such as albumin and other analytes components.

Exemplary embodiment can utilize the properties of tunable thin-film, material (e.g., graphene) to efficiently modulate the intensity, phase, and / or polarization of transmitted and / or reflected radiation, including mid-infrared (“mid-IR”) radiation. Exemplary embodiments include planar antennas comprising tunable thin-film material sections and metallic sections disposed in contact with the tunable thin-film material sections, each metallic section having a gap with at least one dimension related to a wavelength of the radiation, which in some embodiments may be less than the wavelength. The metallic layer may comprise rods arrange in one or more shapes, or one or more apertures of one or more shapes. Embodiments of the antenna may also comprise a substrate, which may be a semiconductor or conductor in various embodiments. Embodiments also include systems, computer-implemented methods, devices, and computer-readable media for effectuating desired modulation of incident radiation by, e.g., varying the doping level of the tunable thin-film material.

A gas sensor system is provided, comprising: a gas cell operable so as to receive a sample gas; a vacuum system fluidically coupled to the gas cell operable to maintain the sample gas within the gas cell at a sub-ambient pressure; a pressure sensor operable to sense a pressure of the sample gas; a thermally insulated enclosure having the gas cell therein; a heat source or heat exchanger operable to influence an interior temperature of the thermally insulated enclosure; a light source within the thermally insulated enclosure operable to provide a mid-infrared (mid-IR) light into and through the gas cell; a photodetector within the thermally insulated enclosure operable to receive the attenuated mid-IR; and a control system electronically coupled to the vacuum system and to the pressure sensor operable to maintain the sample gas within the gas cell at the predetermined pressure to within one torr (1 Torr).

The present invention provides an down hole apparatus and method for ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy using a tunable diode laser (TDL) for analyzing a formation fluid sample downhole or at the surface to determine formation fluid parameters. In addition to absorption spectroscopy, the present invention can perform Raman spectroscopy on the fluid, by sweeping the wavelength of the TDL and detecting the Raman-scattered light using a narrow-band detector at a fixed wavelength. The spectrometer analyzes a pressurized well bore fluid sample that is collected downhole. The analysis is performed either downhole or at the surface onsite. Near infrared, mid-infrared and visible light analysis is also performed on the sample to provide an onsite surface or downhole analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite and downhole analysis comprises determination of aromatics, olefins, saturates, gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by correlation, a trained neural network or a chemometric equation.

A catheter based method and apparatus for reflectance generated absorption spectral analysis of chronic inflammatory vascular conditions such as seen with atherosclerotic plaque within a blood vessel or other body cavity or compartment. The use of a bright mid range infrared light (mid-IR) source yields detectable reflected optical signals that may be sampled from an area smaller or larger than the typical diameter of a mammalian cell. The mid-IR light is delivered at selected mid-infrared wavenumbers. Using the apparatus and methods, the reflectance spectra and reflectance generated absorption spectra of a target tissue can be compared to reference spectra to identify and distinguish normal epithelium from tissue containing physiological markers indicative of vascular disease or other inflammatory conditions.

The present invention provides a sample tank having a window for introduction of electromagnetic energy into the sample tank for analyzing a formation fluid sample down hole or at the surface without disturbing the sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is performed on the sample to provide a downhole in situ or surface on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. A flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is pressurized to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample.

A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

A laser system capable of efficient production of high energy sub-nanosecond pulses in the 2-15 μm spectral region is disclosed. Diode pumped solid state lasers are used as pump sources. The system design is simple, reliable and compact allowing for easy integration. The laser system includes a combination of compact solid-state ˜1 micron laser sources, producing high power picosecond pulses, with optical parametric amplification and a quasi-continuous wave laser for seeding the amplification process that enables the efficient conversion of the high power ˜1 micron laser radiation to tuneable mid-infrared sub-ns pulses. New parametric processes are presented for achieving high gains in bulk nonlinear crystals. Furthermore, a method of exceeding the fundamental conversion efficiency limit of direct three wave mixing is presented. The compact and robust nature of this novel laser system opens up the use of high power and high peak power mid-infrared laser pulses to a wide variety of important medical and dental applications.

A surgical technique for removing corneal tissue with scanned infrared radiation is disclosed which utilizes short mid-infrared laser pulses to provide a tissue removal mechanism based on photospallation. Photospallation is a photomechanical ablation mechanism which results from the absorption of incident radiation by the corneal tissue. Since photospallation is a mechanical ablation process, very little heat is generated in the unablated adjacent tissue. The disclosed surgical system includes a scanning beam delivery system which allows uniform irradiation of the treatment region and utilizes low energy outputs to achieve controlled tissue removal. A real-time servo-controlled dynamic eye tracker, based on a multiple-detector arrangement, is also disclosed which senses the motion of the eye and provides signals that are proportional to the errors in the lateral alignment of the eye relative to the axis of the laser beam. Temporal and frequency discrimination are preferably utilized to distinguish the tracking illumination from the ambient illumination and the surgical laser beam. A laser parametric generator for surgical applications is disclosed which utilizes short-pulse, mid-infrared radiation. The mid-infrared radiation may be produced by a pump laser source, such as a neodymium-doped laser, which is parametrically down converted in a suitable nonlinear crystal to the desired mid-infrared range. The short pulses reduce unwanted thermal effects and changes in adjacent tissue to potentially submicron-levels. The parametrically converted radiation source preferably produces pulse durations shorter than 25 ns at or near 3.0 microns but preferably close to the water absorption maximum associated with the tissue. The down-conversion to the desired mid-infrared wavelength is preferably produced by a nonlinear crystal such as KTP or its isomorphs. In one embodiment, a non-critically phased-matched crystal is utilized to shift the wavelength from a near-infrared laser source emitting at or around 880 to 900 nm to the desired 2.9-3.0 microns wavelength range. A fiber, fiber bundle or another waveguide means utilized to separate the pump laser from the optical parametric oscillation (OPO) cavity is also included as part of the invention.

A handpiece and method of use for laser-assisted liposuction for melting, disrupting, and removing cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively melt or disrupt cellulite and adipose tissue and ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue, while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively loosen the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

This invention is an improved method and device for treating varicose veins 200 or the greater saphenous vein 202. The method comprises the use of infrared laser radiation in the region of 1.2 to 2.2 um in a manner from inside the vessel 200 or 202 such that the endothelial cells of the vessel wall 704 are damaged and collagen fibers in the vessel wall 704 are heated to the point where they permanently contract, the vessel 200 or 202 is occluded and ultimately resorbed. The device includes a laser 102 delivered via a fiber optic catheter 300 that may have frosted or diffusing fiber tips 308, or that may be provided with a protective spacer. A motorized pull back device 104 may be used, and a thermal sensor 600 may be used to help control the power required to maintain the proper treatment temperature.

An agile, high-power, reliable DIRCM system that is easily extended to address sophisticated UV or UV-visible capable multi-band threats includes a missile warner having missile warning receivers (MWRs), one or two-color suitably in the mid-IR range, that detect likely missile launch and pass the threat coordinates to a pointer-tracker having a Roll / Nod gimbal on which the IR laser transmitter is mounted. The pointer-tracker slews the gimbal to initiate tracking based on the threat coordinates and then uses its detector to continue to track and verify the threat. If the threat is verified, the pointer-tracker engages the laser to fire and jam the missile's IR seeker. By slewing the gimbal based on unverified threat coordinates to initiate tracking the system is highly agile and can respond to short and near simultaneous MANPADS shots.

A series of optical spectral sensors is based on a combination of solid-state sources (illumination) and detectors housed within an integrated package that includes the interfacing optics and acquisition and processing electronics. The focus is on low cost and the fabrication of the sensor is based on techniques that favor mass production. Materials and components are selected to support low-cost, high volume manufacturing of the sensors. Spectral selectivity is provided by the solid-state source(s) thereby eliminating the need for expensive spectral selection components. The spectral response covers the range from the visible (400 nm) to the mid-infrared (25,000 nm / 25.0 μm), as defined by the availability of suitable low-cost solid-state source devices. A refractive optical system is employed, primarily in an internal reflection mode, allowing a selection of sample handling tools, including, but not restricted to internal reflectance and transmittance. A secondary channel allowing for light scattering or fluorescence methods is an option. The targeted applications of the sensing devices are for lubricants and functional fluids in the heavy equipment, automotive and transportation industries. A source reference channel is included to provide measurement stability and temperature compensation.

A method and device for converting light from a first wavelength to a second wavelength. The method comprises the steps of exciting an electron in a quantum dot with an incident infrared photon having the first wavelength, the excited electron having a first energy, tunneling the excited electron through a barrier into a stress induced quantum dot, and recombining the excited electron with a hole in the stress induced quantum dot, therein producing a photon having the second wavelength, typically in the visible range. The device comprises a substrate, a spacer layer, coupled to the substrate, a second layer, coupled to the spacer layer, wherein the second layer comprises a different material than the spacer layer, a third layer, coupled to the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises at least one quantum dot, a fourth layer, coupled to the third layer, comprising a quantum well corresponding to each quantum dot in the third layer, a fifth layer, coupled to the fourth layer, wherein the fourth layer and fifth layer comprise a strain induced quantum dot corresponding to each quantum dot in the third layer; and a sixth layer, coupled to the fifth layer, the substrate and the sixth layer for contacting the device.

This disclosure concerns methods and apparatus for interferometric spectroscopic measurements of particles with higher signal to noise ratio utilizing an infrared light beam that is split into two beams. At least one beam may be directed through a measurement volume containing a sample including a medium. The two beams may then be recombined and measured by a detector. The phase differential between the two beams may be selected to provide destructive interference when no particle is present in the measurement volume. A sample including medium with a particle is introduced to the measurement volume and the detected change resulting from at least one of resonant mid-infrared absorption, non-resonant mid-infrared absorption, and scattering by the particle may be used to determine a property of the particle. A wide range of properties of particles may be determined, wherein the particles may include living cells.

A compact mid-IR laser device utilizes a quantum cascade laser to provide mid-IR frequencies suitable for use in molecular detection by signature absorption spectra. The compact nature of the device is obtained owing to an efficient heat transfer structure, the use of a small diameter aspheric lens and a monolithic assembly structure to hold the optical elements in a fixed position relative to one another. The compact housing size may be approximately 20 cm×20 cm×20 cm or less. Efficient heat transfer is achieved using a thermoelectric cooler TEC combined with a high thermal conductivity heat spreader onto which the quantum cascade laser is thermally coupled.

The present invention provides an down hole apparatus and method for ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy using a tunable diode laser (TDL) for analyzing a formation fluid sample downhole or at the surface to determine formation fluid parameters. In addition to absorption spectroscopy, the present invention can perform Raman spectroscopy on the fluid, by sweeping the wavelength of the TDL and detecting the Raman-scattered light using a narrow-band detector at a fixed wavelength. The spectrometer analyzes a pressurized well bore fluid sample that is collected downhole. The analysis is performed either downhole or at the surface onsite. Near infrared, mid-infrared and visible light analysis is also performed on the sample to provide an onsite surface or downhole analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite and downhole analysis comprises determination of aromatics, olefins, saturates, gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by correlation, a trained neural network or a chemometric equation.

An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is described that efficiently converts a near-infrared laser beam to tunable mid-infrared wavelength output. In some embodiments, the OPO includes an optical resonator containing a nonlinear crystal, such as periodically-poled lithium niobate. The OPO is pumped by a continuous-wave fiber-laser source having a low-power oscillator and a high-power amplifier, or using just a power oscillator). The fiber oscillator produces a single-frequency output defined by a distributed-feedback (DFB) structure of the fiber. The DFB-fiber-laser output is amplified to a pump level consistent with exceeding an oscillation threshold in the OPO in which only one of two generated waves (“signal” and “idler”) is resonant within the optical cavity. This pump source provides the capability to tune the DFB fiber laser by straining the fiber (using an attached piezoelectric element or by other means) that allows the OPO to be continuously tuned over substantial ranges, enabling rapid, wide continuous tuning of the OPO output frequency or frequencies.

A process of performing a medical test includes taking multi-spectral images of an area of interest of a patient. The patient can be a human being or an animal, and can be known to be healthy or known to have health issues or problems. A multi-spectral camera includes a long-infrared charge-coupled device, a mid-infrared detector array, and a control device that synchronizes operation of the charge-coupled device and the detector array. The mid-infrared detector array can include carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes can be detector elements. For example, the carbon nanotubes can be tuned-bandgap carbon nanotubes. Each pixel of resolution of the detector array can include a balanced Wheatstone bridge circuit including one of the tuned-bandgap carbon nanotubes. Adjacent pixels of the detector array can be arranged for orthogonal polarization.

Semiconductor optoelectronic devices such as diode lasers are formed on InP substrates with an active region with an InAsN or InGaAsN electron quantum well layer and a GaAsSb or InGaAsSb hole quantum well layer which form a type II quantum well. The active region may be incorporated in various devices to provide light emission at relatively long wavelengths, including light emitting diodes, amplifiers, surface emitting lasers and edge-emitting lasers.

A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

A ring laser includes a large-core rare-earth-doped fiber ring-connected with a free-space path having an electro-optic switch, output coupler, and intracavity band-pass filter to enforce lasing operation in narrow wavelength range. In some cavity-dumped modes, the laser is configured in a similar manner, except that an output coupler is omitted since the optical power is extracted from the laser cavity by the electro-optic switch itself. The same laser can be configured to operate in Q-switched and / or cavity-dumping modes as well as in hybrid modes (e.g., partial Q-switch, followed by cavity dumping, or even CW). In some embodiments, the laser can be used as, or inject laser light into, a regenerative solid-state amplifier, or a Raman laser, or can be also used to generate visible, ultra-violet, mid-infrared, and far-infrared (THz) radiation via nonlinear wavelength conversion processes. The various embodiments can use a power oscillator or seed-plus-amplifier MOPA configuration.

A portable continuous whole blood glucose monitor comprising, a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser and driver in optical communication with a transmission cell and a photo-conductive detector and pre-amplifier. The monitor further comprises a peristaltic pump connected to a single lumen catheter peripherally inserted into a patient's vein. The single lumen catheter, in combination with the peristaltic pump, is operable to automatically withdraw a fixed and metered amount of whole blood from a patient, then a tube delivers a fixed and metered amount of the saline / surfactant supply to the whole blood. Methods of enhancing measurement sensitivity are also provided.

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.

A machine for detecting sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) leaks using the mid-infrared differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique with a commercically available, air-cooled, compact, pulsed transversely-excited-atmospheric (TEA) carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) laser, a Cassegranian optical telescope for focusing both the laser emission and returning reflected signal, a user-operated focusing mechanism, a two-dimensional, thermoelectrically-cooled focal plane array (FPA) sensitive in the mid-infrared wavelength range (10.2-10.6 micrometers), a charge-coupled device (CCD) for 2-D imaging, a computer-based control system to rapidly switch the laser wavelength between 10.2470 micrometers, 10.7415 micrometers, and 10.5518 micrometers to utilize the Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) chemical detection technique, a rechargeable battery pack and power supply, and an image and data storage device using a solid-state memory stick.

Systems and methods of collapsing the air lines in the air line-containing region of a nanostructure optical fiber are disclosed. One method includes initiating irradiation of a portion of the nanostructure optical fiber from essentially opposite directions with at least first and second laser beams having substantially equal power and essentially the same mid-infrared wavelength. The method includes continuing the irradiation for an irradiation time t1 so as to bring the optical fiber portion to a softening temperature TS at which the air lines in the optical fiber portion collapse into the adjacent cladding. Exemplary optical systems for carrying out the air- line-collapsing methods of the present invention are also disclosed.