A high-throughput optofluidic device for detecting fluorescent droplets is disclosed. The device uses time-domain encoded optofluidics to detect a high rate of droplets passing through parallel microfluidic channels. A light source modulated with a minimally correlating maximum length sequences is used to illuminate the droplets as they pass through the microfluidic device. By correlating the resulting signal with the expected pattern, each pattern formed by passing droplets can be resolved to identify individual droplets.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to determining metrics of a cloud atmosphere using time difference measurements. A light projector projects a pulse of light into a cloud atmosphere, and a light sensor detects a portion of the projected pulse of light backscattered by the cloud atmosphere. A backscatter coefficient is calculated based on peak amplitude of the detected portion. An optical extinction coefficient is calculated based on a time difference between a peak time and a post-peak time, which correspond to times at which the peak amplitude of the detected portion occurs and at which the detected portion equals or crosses a sub-peak threshold, respectively. In some embodiments, a logarithm amplifier is used to facilitate processing of signals of widely varying amplitudes. In some embodiments, the sub-peak threshold is calculated as a fraction of the peak amplitude of the detected portion.

An apparatus for determining a characteristic of a photoluminescent (PL) layer comprises: a light source that generates an excitation light that includes light from the visible or near-visible spectrum; an optical assembly configured to direct the excitation light onto a PL layer; a detector that is configured to receive a PL emission generated by the PL layer in response to the excitation light interacting with the PL layer and generate a signal based on the PL emission; and a computing device coupled to the detector and configured to receive the signal from the detector and determine a characteristic of the PL layer based on the signal.

A variable-frequency light source is configured to emit a light beam and modulate a frequency of the light beam. A fiber optic cable is attached to the variable frequency light source. The fiber optic cable is configured to receive the light beam at an inlet and pass the light beam to an exit. Multiple optical detectors are attached to the fiber optic cable. Each of the optical detectors is configured to detect a specified frequency of light that is backscattered through the fiber optic cable. An actuation mechanism is attached to the fiber optic cable. The actuation mechanism is configured to deform the fiber optic cable in response to a stimulus.

The present invention relates to a monitoring system for measuring and communicating properties of a liquid, wherein said monitoring system is configured to be arranged in a mounted position above and at a distance from a surface of the liquid, and wherein said monitoring system comprises: a light source configured to emit light towards the surface of said liquid, such that at least a portion of said light is transmitted through said liquid; a light detector configured to detect light that has been emitted from said light source and transmitted through said liquid and to generate a representation of the intensity and spatial distribution of the emitted light that has been detected; a processing circuitry being configured to determine the turbidity of the liquid based on said representation.

Systems and methods for automatic detection of defects in a coating of a component are provided. In one aspect, a coating inspection system is provided. The coating inspection system includes a heating element operable to impart heat to the component as it traverses relative thereto. An imaging device of the system captures images of the component as the heating element traverses relative to the component and applies heat thereto. The images indicate the transient thermal response of the component. The system can generate a single observation image using the captured images. The system can detect and analyze defects using the generated single observation image.

An adhesion defect detection apparatus includes an inspection window having a first dummy area, a second dummy area, and an inspection area disposed between the first dummy area and the second dummy area. A first shape changer is disposed on the inspection window. The first shape changer is configured to change a shape of the inspection window in a first direction. A second shape changer is disposed outside of both the first dummy area and the second dummy area. The second shape changer is configured to change a shape of the inspection window in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

A catheter insertion aid may comprise: an insertion tip located at a proximal end of the insertion aid; a flexible bag; a self-sealing mating mechanism on the proximal end of the insertion aid; and a physical interface that helps a user hold and support the insertion aid against the body when inserting the catheter tube into the male or female urethral tract. The catheter insertion aid may mate with a urinary intermittent catheter with a catheter tube to be inserted into a male or female urethral tract to facilitate drainage of urine from a bladder into a receptacle. The flexible bag may surround the catheter tube with a first collar connection mechanism connecting to the insertion aid and a second collar connection mechanism connecting to a catheter funnel. The self-sealing mating mechanism may mate with the catheter funnel to create a hermetic seal that is substantially air- and water-tight. The catheter insertion aid may further comprise a lubrication reservoir that holds a lubricant to coat a thin layer of the lubricant on the catheter tube facilitating insertion of the catheter tube into the male or female urethral tract.

The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.