3476 results about "Optical detectors" patented technology

A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion.

A wireless control device includes a small, lightweight housing worn by an operator, for example on the operator's wrist, and a controlled device, for example a personal computer. Several optical emitters, preferably light emitting diodes operating in the infrared range, and several optical detectors are provided on the housing. At least one x-axis emitter-detector pair operates to detect an x-direction of a pointing motion or gesture, and at least one y-axis emitter-detector pair operates to detect a y-direction of a pointing motion or gesture. This motion can then be used to cause a response in the controlled device. For example, angles of the operator's hand at the wrist can be interpreted to induce motion of a cursor on a computer display. The device may also include a motion sensor, an environmental condition sensor, or a voice recognition sensor, and can also be adapted for gesture recognition and image scanning applications.

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.

A wireless control device includes a small, lightweight housing worn by an operator, for example on the operator's wrist, and a controlled device, for example a personal computer. Several optical emitters, preferably light emitting diodes operating in the infrared range, and several optical detectors are provided on the housing. At least one x-axis emitter-detector pair operates to detect an x-direction of a pointing motion or gesture, and at least one y-axis emitter-detector pair operates to detect a y-direction of a pointing motion or gesture. This motion can then be used to cause a response in the controlled device. For example, angles of the operator's hand at the wrist can be interpreted to induce motion of a cursor on a computer display. The device may also include a motion sensor, an environmental condition sensor, or a voice recognition sensor, and can also be adapted for gesture recognition and image scanning applications.

A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

A color measuring sensor assembly includes an optical filter such as a linear variable filter, and an optical detector array positioned directly opposite from the optical filter a predetermined distance. A plurality of lenses, such as gradient index rods or microlens arrays, are disposed between the optical filter and the detector array such that light beams propagating through the lenses from the optical filter to the detector array project an upright, noninverted image of the optical filter onto a photosensitive surface of the detector array. The color measuring sensor assembly can be incorporated with other standard components into a spectrometer device such as a portable calorimeter having a compact and rugged construction suitable for use in the field.

Ablation methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and the like. Percutaneous ablation instruments in the form of coaxial catheter bodies are disclosed having at least one central lumen therein and having one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. The instruments include an energy emitting element which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project radiant energy through a transmissive region of a projection balloon to a target tissue site. The instrument can optionally include at least one expandable anchor balloon disposed about, or incorporated into an inner catheter body designed to be slid over a guidewire. This anchor balloon can serve to position the device within a lumen, such as a pulmonary vein. A projection balloon structure is also disclosed that can be slid over the first (anchor balloon) catheter body and inflated within the heart, to define a staging from which to project radiant energy. An ablative fluid can also be employed outside of the instrument (e.g., between the balloon and the target region) to ensure efficient transmission of the radiant energy when the instrument is deployed. In another aspect of the invention, generally applicable to a wide range of cardiac ablation instruments, mechanisms are disclosed for determining whether the instrument has been properly seated within the heart, e.g., whether the device is in contact with a pulmonary vein and / or the atrial surface, in order to form a lesion by heating, cooling or projecting energy. This contact-sensing feature can be implemented by an illumination source situated within the instrument and an optical detector that monitors the level of reflected light. Measurements of the reflected light (or wavelengths of the reflected light) can thus be used to determine whether contact has been achieved and whether such contact is continuous over a desired ablation path.

Described herein is an analyte detection device and method related to a portable instrument suitable for point-of-care analyses. In some embodiments, a portable instrument may include a disposable cartridge, an optical detector, a sample collection device and / or sample reservoir, reagent delivery systems, fluid delivery systems, one or more channels, and / or waste reservoirs. Use of a portable instrument may reduce the hazard to an operator by reducing an operator's contact with a sample for analysis. The device is capable of obtaining diagnostic information using cellular- and / or particle-based analyses and may be used in conjunction with membrane- and / or particle-based analysis cartridges. Analytes, including proteins and cells and / or microbes may be detected using the membrane and / or particle based analysis system.

The disclosure describes how to use luminescence detection mechanism, move microfluid, and control multiple-step biochemical reactions in closed confined microfluidic biochip platform. More particularly, a self-contained disposable biochip with patterned microchannels and compartments having storage means for storing a plurality of samples, reagents, and luminescent substrates. At least one external microactuator in the biochip system produces positive pressure and automates multiple-step reactions in microfluidic platforms for clinical chemistry, cell biology, immunoassay and nucleic acid analysis. The method comprises the steps of transferring sequentially at least one of samples, reagents, and then luminescent substrate from compartments through microchannels to reaction sites. The luminescent substrates react with probes to form a probe complex resulting into luminescence, which is detected by an optical detector.

A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

A biologic electrode array is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A matrix of electrode sites is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A matrix of optical detectors is disposed beneath the electrode sites in the semiconductor substrate, wherein each electrode site is associated with a corresponding optical detector. The optical detectors are coupled to detection circuitry formed on the semiconductor substrate. The electrode sites may include slitted electrodes, punctuated electrodes, or optically transparent electrodes.

An optical prove for detecting or irradiating evanescent light is manufactured by forming a film having a regulated film thickness on a substrate, then forming a recess from the rear surface of the substrate, and forming a through hole in the film from the side of the recess by etching. The obtained optical probe has a micro-aperture at the tip of the through hole and usually, a plurality of optical probes each having a micro-aperture of uniform profile are formed on a single substrate. In the recess, light-receiving or light-irradiating means may be provided.

A polarization based diagnostic device (200) for optically examining the medical condition of tissue (290) comprises an illumination optical system (205), comprising a light source (220) and beam shaping optics. An optical detection system (210) comprises imaging optics and an optical detector array, which detects light from the tissue. Polarizing optics provided in both the illumination optical system and the optical detection system are crossed and pass orthogonal polarization states. Iterative rotational means rotate the orthogonal polarization states relative to the tissue being examined. Image enhancement means includes image processing, sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging, and image focus control to facilitate quality imaging at varying depths within the tissue. A controller (215) operates the light source, the detector array, the multi-spectral illumination and imaging, image focus control, and image processing.

A portable authentication device and method of authenticating products or packaging by analyzing key ingredients on products or on product packaging is disclosed. Light-sensitive compounds can be used to identify the product or product packaging. The product or product package may include visible or invisible ink containing a particular light-sensitive compound. The ink may be printed in one or more locations on the product or product packaging to produce an authentication mark, such as a bar code. The device includes an assembly for providing a source of light to irradiate the ink containing the light-sensitive compound on the sample product or product package, an optical detector to detect certain spectral properties emitted or absorbed by the irradiated ink and a controller to determine the authenticity of the sample product or product package by comparing the emitted or absorbed properties to a standard.

A tissue imaging system (200) for examining the medical condition of tissue (290) has an illumination optical system (205), which comprises a light source (220), having one or more light emitters, beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics. An optical beamsplitter (260) directs illumination light to an imaging sub-system, containing a spatial light modulator array (300). An objective lens (325) images illumination light from the spatial light modulator array to the tissue. An optical detection system (210) images the spatial light modulator to an optical detector array. A controller (360) drives the spatial light modulator to provide time variable arrangements of on-state pixels. The objective lens operates in a nominally telecentric manner relative to both the spatial light modulator and the tissue. The polarizing optics are independently and iteratively rotated to define variable polarization states relative to the tissue. The modulator pixels optically function like pinholes relative to the illumination light and the image light.

Described herein is an analyte detection device and method related to a portable instrument suitable for point-of-care analyses. In some embodiments, a portable instrument may include a disposable cartridge, an optical detector, a sample collection device and / or sample reservoir, reagent delivery systems, fluid delivery systems, one or more channels, and / or waste reservoirs. Use of a portable instrument may reduce the hazard to an operator by reducing an operator's contact with a sample for analysis. The device is capable of obtaining diagnostic information using cellular- and / or particle-based analyses and may be used in conjunction with membrane- and / or particle-based analysis cartridges. Analytes, including proteins and cells and / or microbes may be detected using the membrane and / or particle based analysis system.

A system for monitoring and / or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure includes an electrosurgical apparatus connected to an electrosurgical generator and configured to grasp tissue therebetween via a pair of jaw members. The system also includes an optical system having an optical source that directs light through tissue. One or more optical detectors analyze the light transmitted through and reflected back from the tissue and a processor utilizes this information to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the tissue.

A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

An opto-electronic integrated circuit (OEIC) includes an SOI substrate, a set of composite optical transmitters, a set of composite optical receivers, and control electronics disposed in the substrate and electrically coupled to the set of composite optical transmitters and receivers. Each of the composite optical transmitters includes a gain medium including a compound semiconductor material and an optical modulator. Each of the composite optical receivers includes a waveguide disposed in the SOI substrate, an optical detector bonded to the SOI substrate, and a bonding region disposed between the SOI substrate and the optical detector. The bonding region includes a metal-assisted bond at a first portion of the bonding region and a direct semiconductor-semiconductor bond at a second portion of the bonding region. The OEIC also includes control electronics disposed in the SOI substrate and electrically coupled to the set of composite optical transmitters and the set of composite optical receivers.

A system for detecting airborne agents. The system can include a laser source that provides laser pulses of at least two wavelengths, a transmitter that transmits the laser pulses, and a coupling mechanism configured to remotely couple the laser pulses between the laser source and the transmitter. The system can include a receiver receives both elastically backscattered signals from airborne agents and fluorescence signals from the airborne agents. The system can include a telescope both transmits a collimated laser beam of the laser pulse from the transmitter to a far field and receives the elastically backscattered signals and the fluorescence signals from the far field. The system can include a detection system having at least one of a backscatter optical detector that detects the elastically backscattered signals and one or more fluorescence optical detectors that detect the fluorescence signals in selected spectral band(s) from the airborne agents.

A system and method for photoacoustic guided diffuse optical imaging of a sample include at least one light source configured to deliver light to the sample, at least one ultrasonic transducer disposed adjacent to the sample for receiving photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of the light by the sample, and at least one optical detector for receiving optical signals generated due to light scattered by the sample. A control system is provided in communication with the at least one light source, the ultrasonic transducer, and the optical detector for reconstructing photoacoustic images of the sample from the received photoacoustic signals and reconstructing optical images of the sample from the received optical signals. The priori anatomical information and spatially distributed optical parameters of biological tissues from the photoacoustic images employed in diffuse optical imaging may improve the accuracy of measurements and the reconstruction speed.

An optical instrument including: a thermo-optically tunable, thin film, free-space interference filter having a tunable passband which functions as a wavelength selector, the filter including a sequence of alternating layers of amorphous silicon and a dielectric material deposited one on top of the other and forming a Fabry-Perot cavity structure having: a first multi-layer thin film interference structure forming a first mirror; a thin-film spacer layer deposited on top of the first multi-layer interference structure, the thin-film spacer layer made of amorphous silicon; and a second multi-layer thin film interference structure deposited on top of the thin-film spacer layer and forming a second mirror; a lens for coupling an optical beam into the filter; an optical detector for receiving the optical beam after the optical beam has interacted with the interference filter; and circuitry for heating the thermo-optically tunable interference filter to control a location of the passband.

An optically based location system and method of determining a location at a structure include a lighting infrastructure having lights at a structure. Each light is configured to illuminate and to transmit a respective relative or absolute terrestrial position through modulation of emitted light. An optical receiver is configured to detect the lights, to demodulate the position of detected lights, and to determine from the detection a position of the receiver. The receiver can have a conventional optical detector for determining a two-dimensional position of the receiver relative to a detected light, or can have a three-dimensional spot collimating lens and charged couple device optical detector for determining a three-dimensional position of the receiver relative to a detected light. The receiver and lights can be synchronized for converting a delay time into a distance measurement to calculate a distance between a light and the receiver.

Described herein are systems and methods for mounting optical sensors in a physiological monitoring device worn by a user to sense, measure, communicate, and / or display physiological information. The monitoring devices may be embodied as, for example, a fitness band, a bracelet, a watch, or some other wearable device such as an activity tracker, a health, wellness, or sleep monitor, or an athletic training device. The device may comprise one or more light sources and optical detectors. Optical lenses may be mounted in a face of the device for partially receiving or containing the light sources and optical detectors. The devices and methods described herein may optically isolate the light source(s) from the optical detector(s) to ensure the accurate and reliable detection and measurement of physiological information.

An integrated optical system and method employs an optical concentrator, a spectral splitting assembly for splitting incident light into multiple beams of light, each with a different nominal spectral bandwidth; and an array of optical detector sites wherein each of the detector sites has a nominal spectral response and wherein the detector sites are spatially arranged to provide an arrangement of said detector sites which are spatially variant relative to said nominal spectral responses. Such a system can be used for purposes such as optical detection and solar collection to provide improved efficiency. Improved efficiency of collection and manufacture are obtainable with using such devices.

A LADAR apparatus and a method for use in receiving a LADAR signal are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical pickup capable of picking up a plurality of optical signals; a timing synchronization reference; a time domain multiplexer capable of multiplexing the optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal relative to the timing synchronization reference; and an optical detector capable of detecting the multiplexed optical signal. The method include time domain multiplexing a plurality of LADAR signals into multiplexed LADAR signal; detecting the multiplexed LADAR signal; and demultiplexing the detected LADAR signal.

An electronic imaging device (27) includes an optical objective (28) for collecting optical radiation from an object, the objective having an optical axis, and an image sensor (24), including a matrix of optical detectors arranged in a plane that is substantially non-perpendicular to the optical axis, the image sensor having a lateral dimension in the plane. A turning mirror (38) has an optical surface that is positioned so as to reflect the radiation collected by the objective in order to form a focused image in the plane of the image sensor, while a maximum distance from the optical surface to the plane of the image sensor is substantially less than the lateral dimension of the image sensor.