Vascular Imaging Corporation

Finisar Corporation

Fluisar Corporation

William W Morey

Michael J Eberle

Kenneth N Bates

Ray T Chen

Xuegong Deng

James W Horwitz

Jie Qiao

This document discusses, among other things, a connector for an optical imaging probe that includes one or more optical fibers communicating light along the catheter. The device may use multiple sections for simpler manufacturing and ease of assembly during a medical procedure. Light energy to and from a distal minimally-invasive portion of the probe is coupled by the connector to external diagnostic or analytical instrumentation through an external instrumentation lead. Certain examples provide a self-aligning two-section optical catheter with beveled ends, which is formed by separating an optical cable assembly. Techniques for improving light coupling include using a lens between instrumentation lead and probe portions. Techniques for improving the mechanical alignment of a multi-optical fiber catheter include using a stop or a guide.

Optical imaging probe

Optical imaging probe connector

A system and method for wavelength division multiplexing and demultiplexing with broadened and flattened passband profiles are disclosed. A spectral modifying element may be used to broaden and flatten the passband profile of associated multiple wavelength optical signals and spectral components. The system preferably includes a light focusing device and a diffraction grating having a direction of dispersion. The spectral modify element primarily transforms or broadens and flattens optical signals in only the direction of dispersion of the associated diffraction grating.

System and method for controlling spectral passband profile

A DWDM add/drop system for use in optical communication system is disclosed. Using semiconductor fabrication techniques, a plurality of waveguide arrays and signal carriers are substantially symmetrically arranged about an optical axis of the system. Electrode heaters are provided proximate junctions created at the intersections of selected waveguides. Using the heaters, portions of optical signals may be redirected to other waveguides. In addition, the heaters may be used to attenuate or otherwise modify signals in the waveguides. The waveguide arrays are arranged such that a plurality of signal processing operations may be performed substantially simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, the switches and waveguide arrays are coupled with a light focusing device and a dispersion apparatus to form a switched, combined multiplexer/demultiplexer having signal attenuation and modification capabilities.

Miniaturized reconfigurable DWDM add/drop system for optical communication system

A combined multiplexer/demultiplexer for use in optical communication systems is disclosed. The combined multiplexer/demultiplexer includes a plurality of waveguide arrays and a plurality of signal carriers, each disposed substantially symmetrically about an optical axis of the device. In operation, a signal carrier emits a multiple wavelength optical signal that is received and directed to a dispersion apparatus by a light focusing device. The dispersion apparatus diffracts the optical signal into selected spectral components and reflects the spectral components back to the waveguide arrays through the light focusing device. The signal processing, such as multiplexing and demultiplexing, performed by each waveguide array depends on their configuration. The waveguide arrays may be configured to substantially simultaneously multiplex and/or demultiplex the spectral components.

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Northridge, CA, United States of America

William W Morey