Abstract:
The photo therapy apparatus of the present invention comprises one or more light sources which are integrated with a breast pump for providing photo therapy treatment to the breast and nipple of women during pumping of breast milk. The light sources can be lasers, light emitting diodes (LEDs), lamps, or any other types of light sources which produce therapeutic light in a desired wavelength range. The therapeutic light is delivered through the breast-shield or flange of the breast pump to the breast and nipple and produces a variety of photochemical processes, e.g. increase of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), triggering of photo neurological response and activation of enzymes, changes in local pressure, increases in temperature, and deformation of cellular membranes. Such photochemical reaction helps to reduce pain and promote healing of nipple lesion and in the meantime enhance yield of breast milk.
Abstract:
This invention discloses an improved laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) apparatus and method for the detection of mineral and metal contamination in liquid samples. The mineral and metal contaminant is first collected by filtering the liquid sample with a membrane filter. The membrane filter with the mineral and metal contaminant is then measured by a LIBS apparatus. The LIBS apparatus is based on a high repetition rate pulsed laser. The laser produces a train of laser pulses at a high repetition rate in the kHz (or even higher) range. When the laser beam hits the surface of the membrane filter, it generates several thousands of micro-plasma emissions per second. Synchronized miniature CCD array optical spectrometer modules collect the LIBS signal from these micro-plasma emissions. By adjusting the integration time of the spectrometer to cover a plurality of periods of the laser pulse train, the spectrometer integrates the LIBS signal produced by this plurality of laser pulses. Hence the intensity of the obtained LIBS spectrum can be greatly improved to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and lower the level of detection (LOD).
Abstract:
This invention discloses a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) apparatus based on a high repetition rate pulsed laser. The laser produces a train of laser pulses at a high repetition rate in the kHz or even higher range. When the laser beam hits the sample, it generates several thousands of micro-plasma emissions per second. Synchronized miniature CCD array optical spectrometer modules collect the LIBS signal from these micro-plasma emissions. By adjusting the integration time of the spectrometer to cover a plurality of periods of the laser pulse train, the spectrometer integrates the LIBS signal produced by this plurality of laser pulses. Hence the intensity of the obtained LIBS spectrum can be greatly improved to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and lower the limit of detection (LOD). In addition, the influence of pulse to pulse variation of the laser is minimized since the obtained LIBS spectrum is the spectrum of a plurality of micro-plasma emissions produced by a plurality of laser pulses. The high repetition rate laser also makes it possible to measure the LIBS signal at a short and a long integration time and mathematically combining the two spectra to obtain a LIBS spectrum with enhanced dynamic range.
Abstract:
This invention discloses an improved laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) apparatus and method for the detection of mineral and metal contamination in liquid samples. The mineral and metal contaminant is first collected by filtering the liquid sample with a membrane filter. The membrane filter with the mineral and metal contaminant is then measured by a LIBS apparatus. The LIBS apparatus is based on a high repetition rate pulsed laser. The laser produces a train of laser pulses at a high repetition rate in the kHz (or even higher) range. When the laser beam hits the surface of the membrane filter, it generates several thousands of micro-plasma emissions per second. Synchronized miniature CCD array optical spectrometer modules collect the LIBS signal from these micro-plasma emissions. By adjusting the integration time of the spectrometer to cover a plurality of periods of the laser pulse train, the spectrometer integrates the LIBS signal produced by this plurality of laser pulses. Hence the intensity of the obtained LIBS spectrum can be greatly improved to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and lower the level of detection (LOD).
Abstract:
This invention discloses a handheld Raman spectrometer. The handheld Raman spectrometer comprises: (i) a handheld enclosure; (ii) a volume Bragg grating stabilized laser mounted in the handheld enclosure for producing laser light; (iii) a Raman probe for delivering the laser light to a subject to produce Raman scattered light from the subject and collecting the Raman scattered light; (iv) a spectrometer mounted in the handheld enclosure for measuring the Raman scattered light and obtaining a Raman spectrum; (v) a high brightness display mounted in the handheld enclosure for displaying the obtained Raman spectrum; (vi) a multi-touch screen mounted on top of the high brightness display for receiving user inputs; (vii) a central processing unit mounted in the handheld enclosure for processing user inputs and controlling operation of the handheld Raman spectrometer; and (viii) a user interface based on the high brightness display, the multi-touch screen, and the central processing unit, the user interface is programmed to be capable to respond to user inputs incurring at least two points of contact with the multi-touch screen.
Abstract:
A fiber spectroscopic probe that can be mounted directly above the objective lens of a standard microscope to add a spectroscopic function to the microscope. The fiber spectroscopic probe only consists of a minimum number of optical components and is compact enough to induce minimum alteration to the optical path of the microscope.
Abstract:
An LED lighting fixture compatible with existing incandescent lamp lighting fixtures. The heat produced by the LED light source is dissipated through a heat pipe into a ground hole to maintain an optimum operation temperature of the LED light source.
Abstract:
A laser disinfection apparatus with a spectroscopic sensor for performing real-time monitoring of the apparatus's effectiveness. The spectroscopic sensor measures optical spectra of the biological tissue and obtains the concentration of the bacterial/fungal cells by tracking the intensity variation of a fingerprint region of the optical spectra. The acquired bacterial concentration information is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the laser treatment as well as to provide feed-back control of the laser parameters to obtain the optimum disinfection result.
Abstract:
A photo therapy and massage apparatus for relieving pain in a patient's body cavity. The photo therapy and massage apparatus comprises a light source to produce therapeutic light and a hollow massage wand capable to be inserted into the patient's body cavity to provide mechanical massage to the tissue inside the body cavity. An optical light guide with its proximal end coupled to the light source and its distal end embedded in the hollow massage wand is used to deliver the therapeutic light from the light source to the massage wand. The distal end of the optical light guide is configured to emit the therapeutic light from a side surface. The therapeutic light then transmits through the hollow massage wand to treat the tissue inside the body cavity.
Abstract:
A photo therapy apparatus utilizing optical fibers embedded in a cast bandage. The optical fibers are used to deliver therapeutic light to the treatment area after the cast bandage is applied. The therapeutic light helps to decrease inflammation, pain, and irritation as well as to promote healing of the broken bones or sprained/strained muscles of the patient.