Abstract: Components for valve treatment systems are disclosed. Valve treatment systems can include a delivery system for an implantable device. The delivery system can include one or more of clasp control components slidably disposed on a catheter handle, a control element for opening and closing the implantable device, a catheter assembly with features to reduce friction with another catheter assembly, grips for attaching catheter assemblies to clamps, catheter assemblies with features that stiffen or provide variable stiffness, and catheter assemblies with one or more steering control lumens incorporated into a reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a computer provides for the analysis of location specific data and the presentation of analysis results for visual comparison by a user. Results of the analysis are visually presented as icons subdivided into regions and arranged in such a way that the user is able to associate each icon with a data location. A visual presentation of results in the icons and regions allows a user to visually compare the analysis results in two or more data sets according to location. The graphical user interface further provides for the definition and adjustment of an analysis through the interaction of a user with a graphical representation of the analysis. In some cases, the visual presentation of results tracks the analysis adjustments so the user can visually observe the effects that the adjustments have on the results. A method of interacting with the interface to define an analysis and represent results and a method of presenting two or more data sets using the interface are described.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup system comprising a magnetic pickup and a ferromagnetic tone shaper without electrical connections that is magnetically coupled and separately mounted from the pickup on a musical instrument with ferromagnetic strings.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a computer provides for the analysis of location specific data and the presentation of analysis results for visual comparison by a user. Results of the analysis are visually presented as icons subdivided into regions and arranged in such a way that the user is able to associate each icon with a data location. A visual presentation of results in the icons and regions allows a user to visually compare the analysis results in two or more data sets according to location. The graphical user interface further provides for the definition and adjustment of an analysis through the interaction of a user with a graphical representation of the analysis. In some cases, the visual presentation of results tracks the analysis adjustments so the user can visually observe the effects that the adjustments have on the results. A method of interacting with the interface to define an analysis and represent results and a method of presenting two or more data sets using the interface are described.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup for a stringed musical instrument with a secondary magnetic source that modifies the primary magnetic field distribution of the pickup. The secondary source comprises at least one permanent magnet and may further comprise a ferromagnetic loss component. A method for retrofitting and changing the tone of a pickup by attaching one or more secondary magnetic sources to the pickup.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a computer provides for the analysis of location specific data and the presentation of analysis results for visual comparison by a user. Results of the analysis are visually presented as icons subdivided into regions and arranged in such a way that the user is able to associate each icon with a data location. A visual presentation of results in the icons and regions allows a user to visually compare the analysis results in two or more data sets according to location. The graphical user interface further provides for the definition and adjustment of an analysis through the interaction of a user with a graphical representation of the analysis. In some cases, the visual presentation of results tracks the analysis adjustments so the user can visually observe the effects that the adjustments have on the results. A method of interacting with the interface to define an analysis and represent results and a method of presenting two or more data sets using the interface are described.

Abstract: A musical instrument pickup with hard ferromagnetic backplates that are coupled to self-magnetized pole pieces, thereby enabling the tonal parameters of the pickup to be varied over an extended range. The tonal range of pickups with composite pole pieces are extended by a hard ferromagnetic backplates and the tonal range of pickups with monolithic pole pieces are extended by backplates that are formed from hard ferromagnetic materials with coercivities in the range of 300 Oersteds to 1000 Oersteds.

Abstract: Magnetic pickups with unique tonal properties that incorporate components that are formed from an engineered ferromagnetic material. Monolithic and composite pickup components with ferromagnetic loss properties that are novel within the context of magnetic pickup design are fabricated from materials that comprise granules of ferromagnetic hysteresis materials or soft ferromagnetic materials and an insulating binder. The tone of a pickup is modified by retrofitting the pickup to include a bound granular material.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup for a stringed musical instrument has one or more composite ferromagnetic pole pieces. The composite pole pieces have two or more components with different ferromagnetic materials properties in fixed and contiguous positions. The tonal properties of the pickup are partially determined by the materials and arrangement of the components and are variable over a wide parameter space. Pickups with composite pole pieces and methods for reconfiguring pickup with monolithic pole pieces are described.

Abstract: An optical resonator with an optical mode has a resonator block with and opening. At least one optical component is mounted on a holder that is positioned in the opening to locate the component in the mode of the resonator. The holder is contrained by the resonator block so that the orientation of the component in the plane of the resonator is substantially fixed by the opening. The component is simply aligned in the resonator by rotating the holder in the opening. The resonator block may also have a mirror reference surfaces that automatically aligns a mirror that is pressed against the surface. The resonator has a high degree of optomechanical assembly and facilitates initial component alignment and the interchange of optical components and mirrors.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a computer provides for the analysis of location specific data and the presentation of analysis results for visual comparison by a user. Results of the analysis are visually presented as icons subdivided into regions and arranged in such a way that the user is able to associate each icon with a data location. A visual presentation of results in the icons and regions allows a user to visually compare the analysis results in two or more data sets according to location. The graphical user interface further provides for the definition and adjustment of an analysis through the interaction of a user with a graphical representation of the analysis. In some cases, the visual presentation of results tracks the analysis adjustments so the user can visually observe the effects that the adjustments have on the results. A method of interacting with the interface to define an analysis and represent results and a method of presenting two or more data sets using the interface are described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for energy conversion of laser light with optical paramedic oscillation with reduced threshold and improved efficiency. A laser and an optical parametric oscillator are combined so that they share the same optical cavity. The laser field in the cavity is used as the seeding wave for the optical nonlinear material in converting the input pump wave into signal and idler waves, the idler wave having a frequency substantially identical to the laser frequency.

Abstract: A resonator for generating frequency converted radiation from an input laser light source or sources, the resonator comprising a quantity of non-linear optical material which converts the input light to the frequency converted radiation, and an optical cavity enclosing the non-linear optical material, the cavity including optical elements disposed such that the cavity is degenerate for the transverse modes of either the frequency converted radiation or the input light.

Abstract: A large-area semiconductor laser diode in an extended laser cavity is locked by a passive optical coupling to a passive resonator for frequency and amplitude stable buildup of an intracavity field in the passive resonator. The large-area laser diode may be a broad-area diode, a phased array, or a tapered amplifier. The extended laser cavity may be a linear cavity, or a ring cavity in either a double-pass or a single-pass configuration. Spatial beam cleanup and passive locking are simultaneously achieved. The concentrated power in the passive resonator is useful for accomplishing second harmonic generation, frequency summing and the like at high levels of efficiency and at low noise levels resulting from the frequency and amplitude stability within the passive resonator.

Abstract: A laser is disclosed whose resonant cavity includes a back facet of a semiconductor gain element as one mirror and a passive resonator as part of a second mirror. Appropriate optics are provided for a round-trip path within the resonant cavity that avoids double-passing the passive resonator so that intracavity losses are reduced and more power is fed back to the gain element, which is the active medium of the laser. By ensuring a high percentage feedback of the radiation to the semiconductor gain element, amplitude stable operation can be achieved while locking the frequency of the gain element to the passive resonator. By providing both frequency and amplitude stable operation, fluctuation of the circulating power in the passive resonator is minimized and, therefore, can be usefully employed for many applications.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a laser system comprising a non-linear crystal that converts light at a fundamental wavelength to light at a harmonic wavelength and that has a thickness such that there is a phase mismatch between light at the fundamental wavelength and light at the harmonic wavelength in said crystal; first means for forming one of a travelling wave optical cavity and a standing wave optical cavity at the fundamental wavelength; and second means for forming one of a travelling wave and a standing wave optical cavity at the harmonic wavelength, the first means and said second means are located relative to the faces of said crystal such that the total phase mismatch of the light at the fundamental wavelength and the light at the harmonic wavelength, in the round trip path through the crystal and between each face of the crystal and the first means and the second means, is equal to an integral multiple of 2.pi..

Abstract: An electronically tuned, optically pumped, transition metal based, solid-state laser is disclosed. Tuning is achieved by using resonant reflecting means comprising an output mirror, a mirror located between the output mirror and the source of laser light, a polarizer located in the light path between the two mirrors, and an electronically tuned, voltage controlled, variable, liquid crystal waveplate for receiving light passing through the polarizer. The components of the resonant reflecting means are selected to have a longitudinal mode that is anti-resonant with the optical cavity of the laser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing domains in ferroelectric crystals from depoling by providing compressive stress along a preferred crystallographic axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generaing coherent optical radiation by intracavity optical mixing in a cavity that is resonant for the radiation generated by the lasing of a lasant material and an input radiation.

Abstract: A micro-laser is formed from a substantially thin etalon of a self-doubling crystal which has two opposite faces and which is positioned, relative to a close coupled and diode pumped source of optical radiation, for resonantly enhanced phase-matched harmonic generation along an axis of propagation which is substantially perpendicular to the two faces of the etalon.