US 9651533

US patent 9651533, titled "Short-wave infrared super-continuum lasers for detecting counterfeit or illicit drugs and pharmaceutical process control," was issued to Omni Medsci Inc.

Here is a concise summary of the patent:

• Title: Short-wave infrared super-continuum lasers for detecting counterfeit or illicit drugs and pharmaceutical process control
• Assignee: Omni Medsci Inc
• Inventor: Mohammed N. Islam
• Filing Date: October 6, 2015
• Issue Date: May 16, 2017
• Abstract: The patent describes a non-contact, rapid, non-destructive optical method and system for screening or identifying counterfeit drugs, illicit drugs, or for use in pharmaceutical process control. The system utilizes short-wave infrared (SWIR) or near-infrared spectroscopy, often employing a super-continuum (SC) light source, which offers advantages like broad bandwidth, high power, and spatial coherence for remote sensing or hyper-spectral imaging applications. The system can detect chemical compositions through packaging materials by analyzing overtone or combination absorption bands of organic compounds in the 1-2.5 micron range. Applications extend to food quality control, detection of explosives, and other material identification.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent presents several independent claims related to measurement systems and methods, which are described in the definitions section:

1. Measurement System (Claim 1-like): This system uses a light source that generates a broad optical beam, specifically in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) range (1400 nm to 2500 nm). The light source achieves this by starting with semiconductor sources, amplifying the light through optical amplifiers, and then sending it through specialized optical fibers (fused silica with a core diameter less than 400 microns) to a nonlinear element. This nonlinear element broadens the light spectrum by at least 10 nm. A measurement apparatus then directs this SWIR beam to a sample, potentially through its packaging, for non-destructive, non-contact analysis. A receiver processes the resulting spectroscopy output beam to determine the sample's chemical composition.
2. Measurement System (Claim 2-like, alternative embodiment): This system employs a light source comprising multiple semiconductor sources that are multiplexed to create an output optical beam. This beam, containing one or more optical wavelengths, is then delivered to a sample by a measurement apparatus. A receiver, which can be a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer or a dispersive spectrometer, processes the spectroscopy output beam generated from the sample. Critically, this system is designed to allow the light to at least partially transmit through the sample's packaging material.
3. Method of Measuring (Claim 3-like): This method involves generating a broad optical beam by combining light from multiple semiconductor sources, multiplexing these beams, and guiding the resulting optical beam. The beam is then directed to a sample that contains an organic compound with absorption bands in the 1 to 2.5 micron range. A spectroscopy output beam, with a bandwidth of at least 10 nm, is generated from the sample using an FTIR or dispersive spectrometer, received, and processed to produce an output signal.
4. Measurement System (Claim 4-like, near-infrared focus): This system generates an output optical beam with a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nm and 2500 nm. Similar to the first system, it uses semiconductor sources, optical amplifiers, and optical fibers (fused silica, core diameter less than 400 microns) leading to a nonlinear element that broadens the spectrum by at least 10 nm. A key feature is a measurement apparatus that delivers a spatially coherent analysis output beam to a sample. A receiver then processes the light reflected or transmitted from the sample, generating an output signal. This system is also designed to integrate with a personal device (like a smartphone) for displaying and transmitting processed data, and a remote device for storing and analyzing historical data.
5. Measurement System (Claim 5-like, LED-based with personal/remote device): This system uses a light source made of multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to generate a near-infrared output optical beam (700 nm to 2500 nm). It enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by increasing the intensity and pulse rate of the LEDs. Lenses deliver an analysis beam to a sample, and a receiver processes the reflected or transmitted light. The system is explicitly designed for integration with a personal device (e.g., smartphone) for displaying and wirelessly transmitting data, and a remote device for receiving, processing, and storing that data.
6. Measurement System (Claim 6-like, wearable device embodiment): This claim describes a wearable measurement device for physiological parameters. It incorporates an LED-based light source similar to Claim 5, designed to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The wearable device also includes lenses to deliver an analysis beam to a sample and a receiver to process the resulting signals. This system further integrates with a personal device for data management and wireless transmission, and a remote device capable of receiving, processing, storing, and maintaining a history of the physiological data over time.

Litigation Status:

As of April 26, 2026, US patent 9651533 is active. The patent family is involved in litigation, including:

• Several US cases filed in district courts: California Northern District Court (4:19-cv-05924), Delaware District Court (1:25-cv-00140), and Texas Eastern District Court (2:18-cv-00134, 2:24-cv-01070).
• Two US cases filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC): 20-1715 and 21-1229. While these were filed prior to 2026, they represent ongoing or past appellate activity related to the patent family. A search for new 2026 CAFC filings specifically for patent 9651533 did not yield additional distinct cases beyond those already listed in the patent's information.
• Several PTAB cases: IPR2025-01583 (Not Instituted - Procedural), IPR2025-01250 (Pending - Instituted), IPR2019-00913 (Not Instituted - Merits), and IPR2019-00916 (Final Written Decision).