A method of non-invasively detecting and purging bacterial cells using a modified photoacoustic in vivo flow cytometer device is described herein. In particular, a method of detecting bacterial cells by analyzing photoacoustic pulses emitted in response to laser pulses from a pulsed laser source and/or selectively destroying the detected bacterial cells using a non-linear photothermal response induced by a high-energy laser pulse is described herein.

A method and a system are described, for managing a mouth therapy in the Parkinson's disease, through the analysis of the motion status of patients, wherein the motion status can be in one of the following phases: OFF phase, wherein Parkinson's symptoms, such as rigidity, tremor and bradykinesia, emerge; ON phase wherein the symptoms markedly improve; DIS phase wherein involuntary movements emerge, called dyskinesias; as detectors of the symptoms the following parameters are used: voice analysis; face analysis; tremor analysis; movement analysis; levodopa and metabolite levels of monoamines in the sub-cutaneous interstitial liquid of the patients; an algorithm being provided, which provides to the patient the daily therapeutic scheme with its relates administration dosages and inter-times, computed by using the parameters as detectors.

A system and method for monitoring the health of dialysis patients with Raman spectroscopy measurements of one or more target analytes is described. The methods include irradiating one or more fluids of interest with light to produce one or more spectrum and detecting the spectrum with a detector. The fluids of interest are preferably those related to dialysis, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In a preferred embodiment, the fluids are irradiated with monochromatic light, and one or more Raman spectra are detected as a result of the irradiation. The fluids may be irradiated within the dialysis tubing itself, or removed from the dialysis tubing and irradiated in a separate chamber. The Raman spectra of one or more target analytes of a dialysis patient may be followed over time or compared to one or more reference spectra, thereby providing information on the health of dialysis patients.

A method and a system are described, for managing an infusion therapy in the Parkinson's disease, through the analysis of the motion status of patients, wherein the motion status can be in one of the following phases: OFF phase, wherein Parkinson's symptoms, such as rigidity, tremor and bradykinesia, emerge; ON phase wherein the symptoms markedly improve; DIS phase wherein involuntary movements emerge, called dyskinesias; as detectors of the symptoms the following parameters are used: voice analysis; face analysis; tremor analysis; movement analysis; levodopa and metabolite levels of monoamines in the sub-cutaneous interstitial liquid of the patients; an algorithm being provided, which automatically modifies the infusion rate of a drug during the day, the infusion rate being computed by using the parameters as detectors.

A system for calculating cardiac output of a patient on an extracorporeal blood oxygenation circuit includes measuring first oxygenated blood flow rate by a pump in the extracorporeal circuit and a corresponding arterial oxygen saturation and recirculation in the extracorporeal circuit, then changing the pump flow rate, such as decreased, to produce a corresponding change in arterial oxygen saturation (wherein such change is outside of normal operating variances or drift), which change in the arterial oxygen saturation and recirculation are measured. From the first flow rate and the second flow rate along with the corresponding measured recirculation and the arterial oxygen saturation, the CO of the patient can be calculated, without reliance upon a measure of venous oxygen saturation. The system also includes an accommodation of oxygenation by the lungs of the patient during the extracorporeal blood oxygenation.

A method of non-invasively detecting and purging bacterial cells using a modified photoacoustic in vivo flow cytometer device is described herein. In particular, a method of detecting bacterial cells by analyzing photoacoustic pulses emitted in response to laser pulses from a pulsed laser source and/or selectively destroying the detected bacterial cells using a non-linear photothermal response induced by a high-energy laser pulse is described herein.

A blood analysis system for analysis and correction of blood of a subject includes a centrifugation unit to receive blood of a subject. The centrifugation unit is configured to hold capturing molecules for chemical capture of molecules and/or ions that deactivate at least one of coagulation and complement pathways in the blood and centrifuge to suspend cellular components with a minimal plasma along with the capturing molecules. The blood analysis system includes a correction unit coupled to the centrifugation unit to receive the minimal plasma having the capturing molecules and the cellular components from the centrifugation unit. The correction unit is configured to extract the capturing molecules from the minimal plasma, prior to infusing the minimal plasma having the cellular components along with replaced captured molecules and/or ions back to the subject and discarding the extracted capturing molecules.

A system for calculating cardiac output of a patient on an extracorporeal blood oxygenation circuit includes measuring first oxygenated blood flow rate by a pump in the extracorporeal circuit and a corresponding arterial oxygen saturation and recirculation in the extracorporeal circuit, then changing the pump flow rate, such as decreased, to produce a corresponding change in arterial oxygen saturation (wherein such change is outside of normal operating variances or drift), which change in the arterial oxygen saturation and recirculation are measured. From the first flow rate and the second flow rate along with the corresponding measured recirculation and the arterial oxygen saturation, the CO of the patient can be calculated, without reliance upon a measure of venous oxygen saturation. The system also includes an accommodation of oxygenation by the lungs of the patient during the extracorporeal blood oxygenation.

The invention provides a cerebral nitric oxide donor for use in a method for assessing the extent of brain dysfunction following brain injury, said method comprising contacting at least a portion of the brain of a subject with a brain injury with said cerebral nitric oxide donor and determining whether or not there is a subsequent change in one or more aspects of brain physiology, wherein the extent by which said one or more aspects of brain physiology improves is indicative of the extent of brain dysfunction.

A microfluidic flow controller for receiving analyte fluid and calibration fluids wherein the flow controller is configured to switch between (i) an analysis mode in which analyte fluid is passed to an analysis module and (ii) a calibration mode in which the analyte fluid is passed to an alternative destination and calibration fluid is passed to the analysis module, thereby maintaining flow rate of analyte fluid from a source and maintaining a steady flow rate of fluid through the analysis module in both analysis mode and calibration mode. The flow controller may vary the ration of multiple calibration fluids during a calibration mode. Means for accurately positioning sensors within a flow conduit of the analysis module is also described. Sensors are also described for use with or without the microfluidic flow controller for the detection of metabolites and molecules. The sensors may or may not comprise enzymes and may be used with a sensing reagent, also described.