Abstract: Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

Abstract: Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

Abstract: Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

Abstract: Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure. The invention also relates to devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

Abstract: A technique for suppressing backwaves employs a photonic approach. In one aspect, the technique includes an apparatus, including: a radiating element; and a microwave-photonic device for suppressing backwaves from the radiating element. In a second aspect, the technique includes a method for removing unwanted radiation from a radiating device, comprising: receiving unwanted radiation from the radiating device; communicating the received radiation to an electro-optically active material; communicating laser light to the electro-optically active material; communicating electromagnetic products of interactions between the radiation and the laser light to a photodiode; and communicating photodiode outputs to a termination.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transceiver, comprising: a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus, comprising: a radio frequency photonic receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a third aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency, photonic transceiver, comprising: means for generating a radio frequency modulated optical signal; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and means for switching between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter.

Abstract: A combination conductor-antenna apparatus is provided comprising a surface that defines a passage for use as a receptor for a second conductor and for use as a waveguide. The surface is at least partially formed of an electrically conductive material, thus allowing the apparatus to serve as a medium by which an electrical signal can be transferred from a second conductor. Disposed within the passage is a pickup element for sensing and/or injecting electromagnetic energy in the passage, thus allowing the apparatus to serve as a medium for wireless communications.

Abstract: A method for determining a target angle. Optical frequency or radio frequency energy is received through a pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength apertures in a lensing system. A lens of the lensing system positions at least one of the pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength apertures and includes a dielectric medium, and a substrate encased in the dielectric medium and defining at least one of the pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength apertures. A target angle is determined from a steep change of amplitude versus angle presented by the pair of fixed, foreshortened, and opposing subwavelength aperture's beamwidth from the received optical frequency or radio frequency energy.

Abstract: A method comprises generating a laser signal; scanning the laser signal into a field of view; and processing the return signal.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, incident electromagnetic radiation is received through a subwavelength aperture in a lens, the subwavelength aperture being defined by a substrate encased in a dielectric medium.

Abstract: A method comprises generating a laser signal; scanning the laser signal into a field of view; and processing the return signal.

Abstract: A technique employing one or more conformal, spiral antenna for use in a vehicle such as a missile. The technique includes both an apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a radome or missile body and a conformal, spiral antenna mounted in the radome or missile body. The method is one for use in operating a missile, comprising transmitting and receiving signals through a plurality of conformal, spiral antennae mounted in a radome or missile body. This may include in some variants transmitting and receiving signals through a plurality of conformal, spiral antennae mounted in a radome or missile body; and guiding the missile from information obtained from signals receive through the antennae.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a laser capable of generating a laser signal; structure for conditioning the laser signal; and structure for varying the beamwidth of the laser signal as it is scanned into the field of view.

Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, incident electromagnetic radiation is received through a subwavelength aperture in a lens, the subwavelength aperture being defined by a substrate encased in a dielectric medium.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency photonic transceiver, comprising: a radio frequency receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus, comprising: a radio frequency photonic receiver; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and a switch between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter. In a third aspect, the invention includes a radio frequency, photonic transceiver, comprising: means for generating a radio frequency modulated optical signal; a radio frequency photonic transmitter; and means for switching between the input of the radio frequency photonic receiver and the output of the radio frequency photonic transmitter.

Abstract: A method comprises generating a laser signal; scanning the laser signal into a field of view; and processing the return signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely sensing the content in a field of view are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a coherent optical signal into a field of view; receiving and detecting a reflection of the optical signal from a portion of the field of view bounded by the platform's boresight; correcting the first instance of the detected reflection; and resolving the content of a plurality of cells in the field of view up to the platform's boresight. The apparatus comprises a radome; an optical signal generator; an optical transmission channel; an optical receiver channel; and a plurality of electronics capable of receiving the representative signal and: correcting the first instance of the detected reflection; and resolving the content of a plurality of cells in the field of view up to the boresight from the corrected first instance of the reflection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for emitting electromagnetic (EM) energy. A source emits EM energy that is incident on a first material. The first material transmits EM energy to a second material. The second material can have a first surface adjacent to the first material and a thickness and shape selected to stimulate surface plasmon polaritons on the first surface of the second material to resonate the EM energy transmitted from the first material such that the resonated EM energy has an EM wavelength in a narrow field of view with substantially no sidelobes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a target are disclosed. The method includes collecting onboard the platform a first set optical radiation in a first bandwidth and a second set of optical radiation in a second bandwidth reflected from a field of view; and determining the position of the target from the difference between the detected first and second sets of optical radiation. The apparatus includes a pair of detection channels a pair of detection channels, each of which further includes at least three optical channels, each detection channel capable of collecting onboard the platform a first set optical radiation in a first bandwidth and a second set of optical radiation in a second bandwidth, respectively, reflected from a field of view. The apparatus further includes a plurality of electronics capable of determining the position of the target from the difference between the detected first and second sets of optical radiation.