An OCT apparatus and method for characterization of a fluid adjacent to a tympanic membrane has a low coherence source which is coupled to a splitter which has a measurement path and a reference path. The reference path is temporally modulated for length, and the combined signals from the reference path and the measurement path are applied to a detector. The detector examines the width of the response and the time variation when an optional excitation source is applied to the tympanic membrane, the width of the response and the time variation forming a metric indicating the viscosity of a fluid adjacent to the tympanic membrane being measured.

A method of assessing the likelihood that an infected subject develops sepsis, using an input radiofrequency signal received from the subject responsively to an output radiofrequency signal transmitted to the subject. The method comprises: processing the input signal to provide a processed signal, analyzing the processed signal to determine a characteristic pulse morphology of the processed signal, and using the characteristic pulse morphology for assessing the likelihood that the subject develops sepsis.

A patient monitor capable of measuring microcirculation at a tissue site includes a light source, a beam splitter, a photodetector and a patient monitor. Light emitted from the light source is split into a reference arm and a sample arm. The light in the sample arm is directed at a tissue site, such as an eyelid. The reflected light from the tissue site is interfered with the light from the reference arm. The photodetector measures the interference of the light from both the sample arm and the reference arm. The patient monitor uses the measurements from the photodetector to calculate the oxygen saturation at the tissue site and monitor the microcirculation at the tissue site.

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

A photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) device for the in vivo detection of cells circulating in blood or lymphatic vessels is described. Ultrasound transducers attached to the skin of an organism detect the photoacoustic ultrasound waves emitted by target objects in response to their illumination by at least one pulse of laser energy delivered using at least one wavelength. The wavelengths of the laser light pulse may be varied to optimize the absorption of the laser energy by the target object. Target objects detected by the device may be unlabelled biological cells or cell products, contrast agents, or biological cells labeled with one or more contrast agents.

An apparatus for early detection of sepsis in a host is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first sensor to directly measure a glucose level, a second sensor to directly measure a lactate level and a third sensor to directly measure a tissue oxygen level. The first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor all being inserted at a single point of entry in a subcutaneous space of the host such that a predetermined correlation between the glucose level, lactate level, and tissue oxygen level signals conditions related to sepsis.

A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

A patient monitor capable of measuring microcirculation at a tissue site includes a light source, a beam splitter, a photodetector and a patient monitor. Light emitted from the light source is split into a reference arm and a sample arm. The light in the sample arm is directed at a tissue site, such as an eyelid. The reflected light from the tissue site is interfered with the light from the reference arm. The photodetector measures the interference of the light from both the sample arm and the reference arm. The patient monitor uses the measurements from the photodetector to calculate the oxygen saturation at the tissue site and monitor the microcirculation at the tissue site.

A method of using long wave infrared thermography (LWIT) to quantify the characteristic temperature changes associated with infected wounds to accurately confirm the existence of or absence of infection.

In-vivo systems and methods for the detection of early signs of post-surgery infection are described. The in-vivo systems include a drain system with a tube configured to drain fluids from a surgery site, at least one sensor unit for sensing the presence of at least one infection biomarker, a processor for processing a signal generated by the at least one sensor unit, a transmitter for transmitting the signal, and a notification system for receiving the signal, analyzing the signal by comparing it to a threshold, determining presence of infection, and generating an indication on the presence of infection.