Enhanced methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for the real-time detection and classification of biological and non-biological particles by substantially simultaneously measuring a single particle's characteristics in terms of size and density, elastic scattering properties, and absorption and fluorescence.

A multi-spectral optical method and system for detecting and classifying biological and non-biological particles

A nondestructive method of and apparatus for optically detecting the presence of and inferentially determining the relative degree of anomalous subsurface structure in translucent articles: for instance, such anomalous subsurface structural phenomena as pre-carious lesions in in vivo teeth. Moreover, dynamic changes in the degree of such anomalous subsurface structure can be identified and relatively quantified. Thus, for instance, progressive subsurface deterioration of teeth can be monitored, and the efficacy of products directed towards arresting or reversing the development of pre-carious lesions in teeth can be evaluated through the use of the present invention. The method and apparatus of the present invention provide for illuminating a surface area of a translucent article with incident light, and detecting whether a sufficient portion of the light is internally diverted by being refracted or diffusely reflected or the like by the internal structure of the article to indicate whether the subsurface structure of the article is anomalous. Both in vivo and in vitro apparatuses are disclosed. Several species of hand-held probes for such applications as dental examinations are also disclosed. Manipulation of the hand-held probes is facilitated by flexible fiber optic cables. The apparatus may include closed circuit video and automatic data processing equipment to facilitate the use of the apparatus, and to facilitate the reduction and interpretation of the data derived from operating the apparatus. As used herein, the term light is not intended to be limited to the visible spectrum.

Method of and apparatus for optically detecting anomalous subsurface structure in translucent articles

An apparatus for heat treating a work item includes a cover member and a base member on which the cover member is supported. A work space is defined between the base member and the cover member for receiving at least one work item which is positioned therein. A seal member is located between the base member and the cover member for sealing the work space against the entry and exit of gas. A valving system is provided for regulating the entrance and exit of a gas to and from the work space. The valving system is in fluid communication with the work space and includes a relief valve member for allowing the exhaust of the gas from the work space when gas pressure therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

Batch coil annealing furnace and method

The extent of clouding of the lens of a human eye is measured and quantified by directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation through the iris and against the clouded portion of the lens so that the clouded portion disperses and reflects the incident radiation. A selected part of reflected radiation which makes an angle of 10°-40° with the beam of incident radiation is monitored for intensity by a photoelectronic transducer whose signals are transmitted to an ammeter or to a microprocessor which latter transmits modified signals to a display unit and/or to a printer. The clouded portion of the lens can be observed through an optical system with an ocular whose axis coincides with a portion of the path of incident radiation.

Method of and apparatus for measuring the extent of clouding of the lens of a human eye

The disclosure is directed to organic particle sorting and identification. High frequency pulses of circularly polarized light, alternating between left and right, is formed by passing the beam (12) from a laser (10) through, in succession, a beam expander (14), a polarizer (16), an optical modulator (18) driven by an oscillator (20) and focussing and shaping optics (22) to intersect a fast moving stream of organic particles (24). Circular intensity differential scattering and linear intensity differential scattering are monitored by collecting light scattered from stream (24) with, in succession, collection optics (28), optical modulator (30) driven by oscillator (31), polarizer (32), spatial filter (34), and photodetector (36).

Optically active biological particle distinguishing apparatus

A device for optically measuring the amount of particulates in a fluid. Circularly polarized light is directed at a fluid to be analyzed and light which is scattered preferably in a backward direction, that is more than 90* from the direction of the incident beam is analyzed and the ratio of the intensity of light resulting from multiple scattering to the intensity of light resulting from both multiple and primary scattering is determined.

John W Liskowitz

Papers

Suspended solids concentration measurement using circular polarized light