University College London

Timothy Noel Mills

Paul Swain

Geoffrey John Brown

Feng Gong

Paul Beard

Christopher Paul Swain

David T Delpy

Charles Alexander Mosse

An interferometer sensor has a two-dimensional sensor head () comprising a polymer film () of substantially uniform thickness. An interrogating signal () is provided to the sensor head, the interrogation signal extending across the area of the sensor head and being incident normally to the sensor head (). An optical sensing device () is arranged to receive an optical output signal from the sensor head at a location remote from the sensor head. The sensor converts ultrasound signals appearing over a two dimensional surface to an optical signal pattern, using a polymer interferometer sensing film. Spatial discretisation of the ultrasound signal pattern is performed by an optical sensing device. Such optical devices can be arranged having sufficiently high resolution to enable beam-steering imaging to be performed, including imaging outside the footprint of the sensor head.

Optical interferometer sensor array

A probe comprises an excitation source and a double-core optical fiber. A pulsed laser signal () of the excitation sources supplied to the outer core () at one end of the optical fiber. The other end is provided with an interferometer film (). An excitation signal () produced in the sample () modulates the thickness of the film (). This provides an interferometer signal () detected from the inner core ().

Optical fibre probe for photoacoustic material analysis

A method of forming an interferometer film for an interferometer sensor comprises forming a parylene polymer layer ( ) of substantially uniform thickness directly on an interferometer substrate ( ), the layer forming the interferometer film. Since the interferometer film ( ) formed directly onto the surface of the interferometer substrate, there is improved conformity between the two surfaces at the interface between the polymer layer and the substrate and improved uniformity in the thickness of the film.

Fabrication of fabry-perot polymer film sensing interferometers

A self-propelling device ( ) is adapted to travel through a passage ( ) having walls containing contractile tissue, the device ( ) comprising a body ( ) and at least one contractile tissue-stimulating means for stimulating the walls to urge the device selectively in both a forward direction ( ). The stimulating means may be electrodes ( ), and the passage can be the gut of an animal or human. The device is particularly useful as an enteroscope.

Passage-travelling device

A thread guide device is provided which is adapted to be removably or fixedly mounted on the distal end of an endoscope, or which is an integral part thereof. Alternatively, the device may comprise a head joined to the distal end of an elongate example in the form of longitudinally extending passages, which are laterally spaced from one another. The device permits a knot formed by threads which have passed through the thread guides to be viewed by the endoscope.

Device for use in tying knots

A thread guide device is provided which is adapted to be removably or fixedly mounted on the distal end of an endoscope, or which is an integral part thereof. Alternatively, the device may comprise a head joined to the distal end of an elongate shaft that is slidable within the endoscope. The device has a pair of thread guides, for example in the form of longitudinally extending passages, which are laterally spaced from one another. The device permits a knot formed by threads which have passed through the thread guides to be viewed by the endoscope.

Sewing device

Device for use in cutting threads

Device for use in securing a thread

A sewing device is described for use in surgical procedures inside a patient, which can be used without the need to make an external incision in the patient. The device comprises a slot to which suction is applied at a plurality of locations to suck in a double-layer of tissue, and a needle for passing a tag into and through the double layer. The tag may have an article attached thereto, for example a sensor/transmitter.

A sewing machine for forming stitches in a substrate, for example, in forming stitches in tissue during surgery, comprises a needle for passing thread into the substrate from one side thereof, at a first location and for withdrawing the thread from the substrate at a second location spaced from the first location. The needle is removably operable solely from one side of the substrate. A stapling machine is also disclosed operating on similar principles for similar purposes.

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London, United Kingdom

Timothy Noel Mills