An optode has a planar radiation guiding medium having a first planar surface and a second planar surface and one or more perimeter surfaces bounded by the first and second planar surfaces. An excitation energy source of the optode is configured to output into the radiation guiding medium first energy at a wavelength selected to excite a fluorophore. The optode also includes a photodetector configured to image at least a portion of the first planar surface of the radiation guiding medium by detecting second energy transmitted through the radiation guiding medium.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for diagnosing parasitic infections. In particular, provided herein are compositions and methods for preparing samples (e.g., canine fecal samples) and performing Raman spectroscopy detection of parasites infections in the samples.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for diagnosing parasitic infections. In particular, provided herein are compositions and methods for preparing samples (e.g., canine fecal samples) and performing Raman spectroscopy detection of parasites infections in the samples.

We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

A method includes placing an imaging device in contact with a sample, irradiating the sample via an illuminator such that radiation scatters off of the structure, and providing the scattered radiation to a detector to generate a digital video signal. A processor then performs various operations including subtracting a sum of a black state value and a user-defined black level clamping value from the digital video signal to create subtracted image data, substituting negative values in the subtracted image data with a reference value to create modified image data, and amplifying the modified image data by a user-defined gain to create contrast enhanced image data.

A LIBS analysis system comprises a focusing lens arrangement having a focal plane; a laser for propagating a laser beam through the focusing lens arrangement to be focused at the focal plane; a detector for generating an output that is proportional to an intensity of incident electromagnetic radiation that is incident on the detector; a translation mechanism configured to cause a relative movement of the sample holder and the focusing lens arrangement to vary a position of the focal plane along the optical path with respect to the sample holder; and a controller configured to automatically control the translation mechanism to cause the relative movement of the sample holder and the focusing lens arrangement to achieve an optimum position at which the focal plane and an analysis region of the upper surface intersecting the optical path are at or are close to coincidence.

We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

A method of estimating an optical physical property value distribution includes: first estimating including reading a first measured value obtained by measuring isotropic backscattering light of light that is applied to a measurement subject, from a storage and estimating a first optical physical property value distribution that is an optical physical property value distribution in the measurement subject, by an inverse analysis arithmetic operation; and second estimating including reading a second measured value obtained by measuring more anisotropic backscattering light of light that is applied to the measurement subject than the backscattering light corresponding to the first measured value, from a storage and estimating a second optical physical property value distribution that is an optical physical property value distribution in the measurement subject, by an inverse analysis arithmetic operation using at least part of the first optical physical property value distribution as an initial value.

A target sample to be chemically analyzed is received at a microfluidic device which is part of an analysis card. The microfluidic device includes at least one input layer configured to receive the target sample, at least one intermediary layer, and at least one readout layer configured to present one or more color attributes at one or more readout regions in response to one or more colorimetric reactions to the target sample. An image of the readout layer of the microfluidic device is obtained. A calibration file that corresponds to the analysis card is obtained. The calibration file includes a calibrated model of at least one color attribute based on data from at least one known chemical attribute of at least one standard sample processed by a calibration card. A data processing function is executed on the obtained image by comparing the one or more color attributes at the one or more readout regions to the calibrated model of the at least one color attribute to determine at least one chemical attribute of the target sample.

A turbidity sensor featuring a signal processor or processing module configured to: receive signaling containing information about light reflected off suspended matter in a liquid and sensed by a linear sensor array having rows and columns of optical elements; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about a concentration of turbidity of the liquid, based upon the signaling received.