Abstract: A flexible endoscope includes an elongate flexible extrusion. A central lumen extends longitudinally through the center of the extrusion, and a plurality of other longitudinally extending lumens are spaced around the central lumen. An optical fiber is inserted within the central lumen and is coupled to its inner surface. This optical fiber serves as a compression member and conveys light through the flexible endoscope. A first pair of tension members extend through lumens on opposite sides of the central lumen. Applying a tension force to one of these tension members causes a distal tip of the flexible endoscope to bend in a first direction, while applying a tension force to the opposite tension member causes the distal tip to bend in an opposite direction. Providing a second pair of tension members in lumens disposed orthogonal to the first pair enables bending of the distal tip relative to orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope includes an elongate flexible extrusion. A central lumen extends longitudinally through the center of the extrusion, and a plurality of other longitudinally extending lumens are spaced around the central lumen. An optical fiber disposed in the central lumen serves as a compression member and conveys light through the flexible endoscope. One or more pairs of optical fibers disposed around the central lumen convey light and serve as tension members. Applying a tension force to one of these optical fibers causes a distal tip of the flexible endoscope to bend in a first direction, while applying a tension force to the opposite optical fiber causes the distal tip to bend in an opposite direction. The second pair of optical fibers comprising tension members are orthogonally disposed relative to the first pair, and the first and second pair control tip bending in orthogonal directions.

Abstract: Scanning beam devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a housing having a transparent portion. A scanning optical element may be enclosed within the housing. Light may be directed between the scanning optical element and the transparent portion of the housing. The device may include a temperature adjustment device to adjust a temperature within the housing. Methods of using such apparatus are also disclosed, as are base stations to control the adjustment of the temperature.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Forming a Lens on an Optical Fiber includes a fiber rotator assembly that receives and axially rotates an optical fiber. The optical fiber is positioned through a fiber support assembly that includes an air bearing for the near frictionless rotation of the fiber. A fiber forming assembly is positioned adjacent the end of the optical fiber and includes an abrasive disc mounted to the shaft of an abrasive disc motor. The fiber forming assembly is advanced toward the rotating optical fiber for the rotating abrasive disc to contact and remove a portion of the tip of the fiber forming a cone having a predetermined cone angle. A fiber profiling tool having a flexible abrasive flap is advanced to contact the cone-shaped tip of the rotating fiber to remove a portion of the cone to form a lens on the end of the fiber.

Abstract: A compound asymmetric interferometric wavelength converter receives a photonic signal of a first wavelength and bandwidth, and outputs a photonic signal of a second, more stabilized, wavelength and bandwidth. The apparatus may be either propagating or co-propagating, and measures selected photonic signal parameters dynamically and uses this information for self-calibration and to optimize and control signal quality of the photonic output signal.

Abstract: A dynamically optimized photonic waveshifting multiplexer apparatus receives a photonic signal of a first wavelength and bandwidth, and outputs a photonic signal of a second stabilized wavelength and bandwidth. The apparatus measures selected photonic signal parameters dynamically and extracts signal quality information therefrom. This signal quality information is used for self-calibration and to optimize and control signal quality of the photonic output signal.