Abstract

A system and method for using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light sources between approximately 1.4-1.8 microns, 2-2.5 microns, 1.4-2.4 microns, 1-1.8 microns for active remote sensing or hyper-spectral imaging for detection of natural gas leaks or exploration sense the presence of hydro-carbon gases such as methane and ethane. Most hydro-carbons (gases, liquids and solids) exhibit spectral features in the SWIR, which may also coincide with atmospheric transmission windows (e.g., approximately 1.4-1.8 microns or 2-2.5 microns). Active remote sensing or hyper-spectral imaging systems may include a fiber-based super-continuum laser and a detection system and may reside on an aircraft, vehicle, handheld, or stationary platform. Super-continuum sources may emit light in the near-infrared or SWIR s. An imaging spectrometer or a gas-filter correlation radiometer may be used to identify substances or materials such as oil spills, geology and mineralogy, vegetation, greenhouse gases, construction materials, plastics, explosives, fertilizers, paints, or drugs.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 21/25 - ColourSpectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
• G01N 21/359 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light using near infrared light
• G01N 21/47 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection
• G01V 8/00 - Prospecting or detecting by optical means

Abstract

Non-invasive monitoring of blood constituents such as glucose, ketones, or hemoglobin A1c may be accomplished using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light sources through absorbance, diffuse reflection, or transmission spectroscopy. As an example, hydro-carbon related substances such as glucose or ketones have distinct spectral features in the SWIR between approximately 1500 and 2500nm. An SWIR super-continuum laser based on laser diodes and fiber optics may be used as the light source for the non-invasive monitoring. Light may be transmitted or reflected through a tooth, since an intact tooth and its enamel and dentine may be nearly transparent in the SWIR. Blood constituents or analytes within the capillaries in the dental pulp may be detected. The non-invasive monitoring device may communicate with a device such as a smart phone or tablet, which may transmit a signal related to the measurement to the cloud with cloud-based value-added services.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/1477 - Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration or pH-value using chemical or electrochemical methods, e.g. by polarographic means non-invasive

Abstract

A system and method for using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) sources such as lamps, thermal sources, LED's, laser diodes, super-luminescent laser diodes, and super-continuum light sources for early detection of dental caries measure transmission and/or reflectance. In the SWIR wavelength range, solid, intact teeth may have a low reflectance or high transmission with very few spectral features while a carious region exhibits more scattering, so the reflectance increases in amplitude. The spectral dependence of the transmitted or reflected light from the tooth may be used to detect and quantify the degree of caries. Instruments for applying SWIR light to one or more teeth may include a C-clamp design, a mouth guard design, or hand-held devices that may augment other dental tools. The measurement device may communicate with a smart phone or tablet, which may transmit a related signal to the cloud, where additional value-added services are performed.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 6/14 - Applications or adaptations for dentistry
• A61C 19/04 - Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry