Abstract: An optical transmission line is provided that includes optical deflectors disposed within the transmission line. The deflectors are adapted to deflect an optical data signal such that a portion of the optical data signal is refracted outside the transmission line. A portion of the optical data signal is internally reflected within the transmission line. A reflective coating is disposed along the periphery of the transmission line. The reflective coating also includes an aperture extending axially along the transmission line. The aperture is adapted to allow a portion of the respective optical data signal to escape outside the transmission line.

Abstract: A computed tomography system employs an optical communications link to reliably transmit high data rate data. The communications link comprises an optical emitter, an optical transmission line, a plurality of optical deflectors disposed randomly within the transmission line, and an optical receiver. The optical emitter is attached to the gantry of the computed tomography system and extends along the length of the gantry. The optical emitter generates a high data rate optical data signal, which travels along the optical transmission line in correspondence with data generated by detector array on the gantry. The plurality of optical deflectors causes portions the high data rate optical data signal to be internally reflected and subsequently refracted from the transmission line. The optical receiver disposed near the transmission line detects the portion of high data rate data refracted from the transmission line.

Abstract: A computed tomography system employs an optical communications link to reliably transmit high data rate data. The communications link comprises an optical emitter, an optical transmission line, a plurality of optical deflectors disposed randomly within the transmission line, and an optical receiver. The optical emitter is attached to the gantry of the computed tomography system and extends along the length of the gantry. The optical emitter generates a high data rate optical data signal, which travels along the optical transmission line in correspondence with data generated by detector array on the gantry. The plurality of optical deflectors causes portions the high data rate optical data signal to be internally reflected and subsequently refracted from the transmission line. The optical receiver disposed near the transmission line detects the portion of high data rate data refracted from the transmission line.

Abstract: Optical diffusion waves are generated inside localized regions in highly scattering media such as human breast tissue by simultaneously using visible and near-infrared light and focusing ultrasound waves in localized regions. The vibrating tissue medium scatters the impinging light to produce intensity-modulated diffusion waves. The diffusion waves emanating from the insonified region have a frequency equal to the frequency (or a harmonic) of the ultrasound waves and detected at the boundary of the breast in order to acquire data for the density, absorption and scattering parameters in each localized region. A multiplicity of diffusion wave detectors arranged at the boundary of the breast detect scattered diffusion waves at a multiplicity of locations. Each diffusion wave detector comprises a photodetector whose output signals are fed to a detector which detects the amplitudes and phase of the diffusion waves.

Abstract: An acousto-optical vibration sensor, particularly for use in ultrasonic array transducers, such as for medical ultrasound, employs interferometric techniques. A receiver element has a light input port which receives laser light that exits via an output port only after undergoing a multitude of reflections between a static reflecting surface and a vibrating reflecting surface in a manner that enhances frequency-shifted light wave components. The receiver element includes a volumetric region including a layer of material which is both light transmissive and light scattering. In principle, ultrasonically shifted light wave components are enhanced by about six orders of magnitude, and vibration amplitudes significantly smaller than 0.01 A may be detected. Loss resulting from multiple reflections is compensated for by employing active lasing particles, sized so that lasing is induced by the frequency-shifted light.

Abstract: In fabricating a two-dimensional array transducer wherein individual preformed piezoelectric elements are manufactured separately in a high temperature ceramic firing process, a ceramic substrate is provided, having a surface with a plurality of electrodes thereon. A layer of dielectric material is formed on the substrate surface. Holes are formed in the dielectric material layer over the electrodes, defining cavities with metal pads at the bottoms. The individual preformed piezoelectric elements are then inserted into the holes; with one end of each element in contact with a corresponding one of the substrate electrodes. The holes are sized such that the piezoelectric elements are isolated from the dielectric layer. A ground plane conductor is then formed over the dielectric material layer and over the ends of the piezoelectric elements opposite the ends in contact with the piezoelectric elements, and is photolithographically patterned and may be etched to provide a "mesh" structure.