Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method to provide for amplification at various points along one or more optical paths of a photonic integrated circuit. According to various embodiments of the invention, the photonic integrated circuit includes a plurality of optical devices having associated characteristics which may have lead to optical signal degradation. One or more optical amplifiers provided along one or more optical paths of the photonic integrated circuit compensate for such signal degradation, resulting in a highly configurable photonic integrated circuit. The various optical devices of the photonic integrated circuit may be provided on a single substrate.

Abstract: A modulator drive circuit provides a modulator drive signal, representative of a data waveform, to modulate an optical signal for transport across a network infrastructure. The modulator drive circuit includes a broadband Bias-T circuit insensitive to the frequency range of the data waveform. The Bias-T circuit provides for an adjustable bias level to maintain proper operation of a modulator used to modulate the optical signal. One or more modulator drive circuits may be provided on a single substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide arrays of electrical circuits having one or more chirped elements or components for providing output signals to corresponding arrays of electro-optic devices. Certain embodiments of the present invention include a plurality of modulator driver circuits, each of the plurality of driver circuits configured to be substantially identical to each other and provide a corresponding one of a plurality of modulator drive signals to a respective one of a plurality of electro-optic modulators, each of the plurality of modulator driver circuits being chirped to provide a desired output to the corresponding electro-optic modulator for enhanced operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method to improve the signal-to-noise ratio performance in receivers configured to receive differential data signals. According to various embodiments of the invention, a received differential signal is processed to consider both forward-looking and backward-looking error components to improve SNR performance, and ultimately the reach of the optical line system. Additional processing is provided to further enhance noise tolerance related to chromatic dispersion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for diverse routing of a plurality of data streams, representative of a client signal of an unknown format, across multiple communication paths of a digital optical network through the use of a marker embedded in the client signal which is then inserted into the client payload portion of a transport frame. The multiple communication paths include different signal and path attributes related to the optical signals which transport the data streams across the digital optical network, as well as the physical structure of the digital optical network itself, all leading to timing variations in the multiple communication paths. The digital optical network transports the plurality of data streams in the form of wavelength division multiplexed signals, or banded wavelength division multiplexed signals.

Abstract: A transmissive active channel element is provided in each signal channel of a monolithic multi-channel TxPIC where each channel also includes a modulated source. The active channel element functions both as a power control element for both monitoring and regulating the output channel signal level of each signal channel and as a modulator for channel wavelength tagging or labeling to provide for wavelength locking the modulated sources. The power regulating function is also employed to control the channel signal power outputs of each channel to be uniform across the channel signal array. All of these functions are carried out by a feedback loop utilizing digital signal processing.

Abstract: A variety of adaptable electronic duobinary generating filters to be used in communication systems are provided, each filter generating an adaptable electronic duobinay signal which is optimized for system impairments. According to one exemplary implementation, an adaptable electronic duobinary generating filter comprises an adaptable delay-and-add circuit, having an adaptable electronic delay element having a delay ?T: 1/T being the bit rate of the binary data input into the adaptable delay-and-add circuit, and ? being an adaptation parameter which can be optimized depending on the system impairments. In one optional implementation, the adaptable electronic delay element can be programmably adaptable to optimize against deterministic system impairments. In another optional implementation, the adaptable electronic delay element can be dynamically adaptable to optimize against dynamically varying system impairments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods in which optical reflections are reduced in a photonic integrated circuit. These embodiments include reflection suppression elements which operate to dissipate optical energy that would otherwise provide a source for optical reflections which may impact the operation of one or more devices within the photonic integrated circuit. In particular, within photonic integrated circuits incorporating semiconductor optical amplifiers, embodiments of the present invention include reflection suppression elements which operate to dissipate optical energy preventing the semiconductor optical amplifiers from operating in a gain-clamped mode.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide circuit apparatus having an optical processing area, waveguide ports for optical processing, and at least one waveguide structure, the at least one waveguide structure going around the optical processing area. Methods for making the integrated optical waveguide circuit apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modulator drive circuit provides a modulator drive signal to modulate an optical signal for transport across a network infrastructure. The modulator drive circuit powered by an adjustable voltage source, such that the modulator drive signal is generated from a data signal and the adjustable voltage source, an AC component of the modulator drive signal being derived from the data signal while a DC component of the modulator drive signal being derived from the adjustable voltage source. An array of such modulator drive circuits are provided on a single substrate.

Abstract: An integrated optical device is disclosed comprising a substrate, optical waveguide, and compound optical resonator having a temperature sensor, at least two coupled optical resonators, and a heater localized to each optical resonator. An optical input signal is coupled to one of the resonators making up the compound resonator to form an optical output signal. The center wavelength and shape of the output signal is optimized with a feedback loop using the temperature sensor to control the power dissipated in at least one of the localized heaters. The power dissipated in the remaining resonator heaters is set according to a predetermined function having as an input variable the power dissipated in the resonant heater under control of the said feedback loop.

Abstract: A geometrically shaped optical waveguide crossing or intersection with minimal transmission loss is described. A symmetrically tapered waveguide intersection is used to minimize loss in the intersecting region where at least two optical waveguides cross one another at 90° or nearly 90°. The present invention embodies a waveguide crossing that includes tapering the width of the waveguides as they approach the intersecting region, forcing the propagating light to contract, thereby reducing asymmetric field distortions, and thus reducing transmission loss and effectively minimizing crosstalk. This is accomplished by focusing the propagating light through a perpendicular or near perpendicular in at least two waveguide intersection by simple linear tapering rather than by the use of a lens or other previously used devices.

Abstract: A method of using a passive polarization sorter comprising the step of deploying a first waveguide and a second waveguide forming an adiabatic region along a portion of their length. Then, an input optical signal is introduced into the first waveguide wherein light having at least one guided TE polarized mode of mode ranking mode-i-TE and at least one guided TM polarized mode of mode ranking mode-j-TM remaining within the first waveguide. Light having the other one of the TE and TM polarized modes is evanescently coupled into the second waveguide in the adiabatic region.

Abstract: A microwave ablation instrument including a transmission line having a first conductor and a second conductor suitable for the transmission of microwave energy. A horn antenna device is mounted to the end of the transmission line, and include an outer conductor and an inner conductor. The outer conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the second conductor of the transmission line, and includes a peripherally extending interior wall flaring outwardly to define a recess therein. The inner conductor of the horn antenna is electrically coupled to the first conductor of the transmission line and terminates in the outer conductor recess. The inner conductor and the outer conductor cooperate to emit an electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation in a direction generally away from the flared interior wall of the outer conductor.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device generally having an elongate shaft with an asymmetric radiopaque marker disposed upon or within the distal end thereof. The radiopaque marker member enables the user to determine the orientation of the distal end of the device under fluoroscopic and similar imaging techniques. In certain embodiments the device is configured as a delivery catheter system having multiple delivery catheters, some or all of which may have radiopaque marker members disposed upon or within their distal ends. The delivery catheter system is configured in some embodiments to deliver an elongated diagnostic or therapeutic device to a desired location within a patient's heart.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient's heart which comprises a means to form channels in the heart wall and a means to deliver a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channels. Additionally, the system may comprise a means to retain the agent within the channels for a useful period of time. The system may be configured to be introduced percutaneously or intraoperatively. The system generally comprises an elongated, flexible lasing transmission means having a laser radiation emitting means and an delivery lumen opening at the distal end. Practice of the invention comprises forming channels in the heart wall and delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into the channel. Gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the heart tissue in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. Additionally, the invention may comprise retaining the agent within the channels, for example, by incorporating the agent in a viscous carrier.

Abstract: A steerable drug delivery catheter and method of use, particularly adapted for percutaneous use. The distal end of the drug delivery catheter is deflectable. The catheter has a relative movement compensation mechanism for maintaining positioning between the distal end of the drug delivery catheter and the distal end of the drug delivery device therein.

Abstract: A catheter system with an outer catheter body defining at least one lumen and an inner catheter body defining at least one lumen with proximal and distal portions. An introducer is coupled to the distal portion of the inner catheter body. The introducer has a tissue piercing distal end. A resistive heater element is positioned in the introducer. The outer catheter is introduced into a patient's vasculature. The inner catheter is then introduced through the lumen of the outer catheter to a selected heart site. The tissue piercing distal end of the introducer is then advanced into an interior of the heart at the selected heart site. Energy is delivered to the selected heart site from the resistive heater element to create a blood conducting pathway and/or stimulate angiogenesis. In an alternative embodiment, a heart treatment apparatus includes a handpiece with a proximal and a distal end and an elongated member defining at least one lumen coupled to the handpiece distal end.

Abstract: A viewing and treatment apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery through an opening in a patient's chest, the apparatus includes a visualization scope with an elongated portion and a distal end, and a working device such as a tissue ablation energy delivery device. The working device is encompassed within a working channel that communicates with the distal end of the scope. In one embodiment, a bronchoscope is used whose catheter shafting includes an introducer sleeve at the distal section of the scope for providing stability during introduction to a patient's chest while stabilizing the treatment and visualization distal ends of the scope at a treatment site. This embodiment can include a needle piercing assembly that cooperatively works with the work device such as for drug delivery.

Abstract: The apparatus for combined mechanical/laser myocardial revascularization of a human heart includes: inserting a mechanical piercing device and an elongated flexible lasing apparatus into the chest cavity of a patient; mechanically auto-piercing, micro-tearing or spreading the epicardium of the heart; and then lasing from beneath the epicardium through the myocardium.