A mobile-platform imaging device uses compression of the target region to generate an image of an object. A tactile sensor has an optical waveguide with a flexible, transparent first layer. Light is directed into the waveguide. Light is scattered out of the first layer when the first layer is deformed. The first layer is deformed by the tactile sensor being pressed against the object. A force sensor detects a force pressing the tactile sensor against the object and outputs corresponding force information. A first communication unit receives the force information from the force sensor. A receptacle holds a mobile device with a second communication unit and an imager that can generate image information using light scattered out of the first layer. The first communication unit communicates with the second communication unit and the mobile device communicates with an external network.

A computer system for simultaneously sampling multiple light channels is configured to emit a first pulse-oximetry light signal from a first light source and to emit a second pulse-oximetry light signal from a second light source. The computer system then captures a combined pulse-oximetry signal from both the first pulse-oximetry light signal and the second pulse-oximetry light signal simultaneously at a photoreceptor sensor. The computer system identifies information within the combined pulse-oximetry signal, wherein the first light source and the second light source capture different attributes of the information.

Embodiments provide physiological measurement systems, devices and methods for continuous health and fitness monitoring. A wearable strap may detect reflected light from a user's skin, where data corresponding to the reflected light is used to automatically and continually determine a heart rate of the user. The wearable strap may monitor heart rate data including heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and sleep quality. The systems may include a processing module that generates an indicator of physical recovery based on the heart rate data. The recovery indicator may be used to determine strain related to an exercise routine, qualitative information on the user's health, whether to alter a user's exercise plan, and so forth.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly having a distal end and an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween. The end effector also includes at least one lightbox for detecting the tissue. The at least one lightbox includes a housing having at least one optically transmissive surface configured to face the tissue. The at least one lightbox also includes at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element. The at least one of an illuminating element or a light receiving element is secured to the housing.

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, including a shaft assembly having a distal end and an end effector at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw movably coupled relative to the first jaw for clamping tissue therebetween, and an optical sensor for detecting the tissue. The surgical system also includes a generator configured to supply a therapeutic energy to the first jaw or the second jaw, and a pass-through device configured to be connected between the surgical instrument and the generator. The pass-through device includes a therapeutic energy connector configured to operatively couple the generator to the surgical instrument for transmitting the therapeutic energy from the generator to the first jaw or the second jaw, and at least one optical component configured to transmit light to the optical sensor and to receive light from the optical sensor.

A spectroscopic laser sensor based on hybrid III-V/IV system-on-a-chip technology. The laser sensor is configured to either (i) be used with a fiber-optic probe connected to an intravenous/intra-arterial optical catheter for direct invasive blood analyte concentration level measurement or (ii) be used to measure blood analyte concentration level non-invasively through an optical interface attached, e.g., to the skin or fingernail bed of a human. The sensor includes a III-V gain-chip, e.g., an AIGalnAsSb/GaSb based gain-chip, and a photonic integrated circuit, with laser wavelength filtering, laser wavelength tuning, laser wavelength monitoring, laser signal monitoring and signal output sections realized on a chip by combining IV-based semiconductor substrates and flip-chip AIGal-nAsSb/GaSb based photodetectors and embedded electronics for signal processing. Embodiments of the invention may be applied for real-time monitoring of critical blood analyte concentration levels such as lactates, urea, glucose, ammonia, albumin, etc.

An interleaved photon detection array for sampling a physical sample including a plurality of photon detectors, which may be arranged in close proximity to each other. Photon detection array includes at least a first photon detector having at least a first signal detection parameter. Interleaved photon detection array includes at least a second photon detector having at least a second signal detection parameter. Signal detection parameters of the first signal detector and the second signal detector may be heterogeneous. Interleaved photon detection array includes a control circuit coupled to the plurality of photon detectors. Control circuit receives signals from the plurality of photon detectors and renders an image of a physical sample. Additional imaging technology such as ultrasound may be combined with photon detection array.

A sensor system includes an array of optical sensors on an integrated circuit and a plurality of sets of optical filters atop at least a portion of the array. Each set of optical filters is associated with a set of optical sensors of the array, with a set of optical filters including a plurality of optical filters, with each optical filter being configured to pass light in a different wavelength range. A first interface is configured to interface with the optical sensors and first processing circuitry that is configured to execute operational instructions for receiving an output signal representative of received light from the optical sensors and determining a spectral response for each set of optical sensors. A second interface is configured to interface with the first processing circuitry with second processing circuitry that is configured for determining, based on the spectral response for each set of optical sensors, an illuminant spectrum for each spectral response and then substantially remove the illuminant spectrum from the spectral response.

A bone oximeter probe includes an elongated member and a sensor head at an end of the elongated member to make measurements for a bone. The measurements can indicate the viability or nonviability of the bone. In an implementation, the probe is advanced through an incision in soft tissue, towards the underlying bone, and positioned so that the sensor head faces the bone to be measured. Optical signals are sent from the sensor head and into the bone. The bone reflects some of the optical signals which are then detected so that measurements for the bone can be made. Some of these measurements include an oxygen saturation level value, and a total hemoglobin concentration value of the bone.

A medical capsule is equipped with a sensor device having light emitting and light receiving elements. The sensor device can detect blood on the basis of light absorption properties of the blood. The capsule has a casing forming a recess or gap at its outer surface. The recess has a pre-selected width which represents a fixed measuring track between the light emitting and light receiving elements being arranged at opposing sides of the recess or gap when seen in its width direction. The medical capsule also has a shielding plate/layer/membrane arranged at least at or near the bottom of the recess or gap and extending along the width direction of the recess or gap preferably to exceed the recess at both sides into its width direction to prohibit emitted light from bypassing the recess via the casing material of the capsule.