Abstract: As described herein a CRT delivers high energy pulses via a durable fine wire lead formed of a glass, silica, sapphire or crystalline quartz fiber core with a metal coating. A unipolar electrical conductor can have an outer diameter of about 150 microns or even smaller. The buffered fibers support conduction of high intensity electrical pulses as required for internal or external defibrillators, or other biomedical applications, as well as non-medical applications. Defibrillation pulses can be transmitted through less cross-sectional area of metal in the subject fine wire conductor than would be the case with conventional solid core metal wires. Multiple such coated fibers can act as a single conductor. An outer protective sheath of a flexible polymer material can be included.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods including communication circuits for communicating between a plurality of compartments in a vehicle. An array of flexible cables provides signal-communication paths between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle, with each cable having a glass or silica core region for conveying optical signals, and communicating signals (electrical signals and optical signals) along at least one of the signal-communication paths and between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle. The apparatus and methods also include a plurality of circuits that communicate status-indication signals between locations along the array of flexible cables. The status-indication signals are communicated via the signal-communication paths in the flexible array of cables and are indicative of vehicle-travel modes for reporting a status of the vehicle in a mode relative to travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods including communication circuits for communicating between a plurality of compartments in a vehicle. An array of flexible cables provides signal-communication paths between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle, with each cable having a glass or silica core region for conveying optical signals, and communicating signals (electrical signals and optical signals) along at least one of the signal-communication paths and between the plurality of compartments in the vehicle. The apparatus and methods also include a plurality of circuits that communicate status-indication signals between locations along the array of flexible cables. The status-indication signals are communicated via the signal-communication paths in the flexible array of cables and are indicative of vehicle-travel modes for reporting a status of the vehicle in a mode relative to travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a signal-communicating apparatus and methods of use that include a signal-communication path for communicating between remotely situated compartments in a vehicle with the path defined by a flexible cable. A signal interconnecting circuit is provided that includes a first interface circuit that couples optical signals to a first portion of the cable, and another interface circuit that couples electrical signals to another portion of the cable. The signal interconnecting circuit includes a signal-path connector that mechanically secures and communicatively couples the portions together. Additionally, a data communication circuit is provided to receive data carried by the signal-communication path via the flexible cable and the signal interconnecting circuit.

Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker, other CRT device or neurostimulator has one or more fine wire leads. Formed of a glass, silica, sapphire or crystalline quartz fiber with a metal buffer cladding, a unipolar lead can have an outer diameter as small as about 300 microns or even smaller. The buffered fibers are extremely durable, can be bent through small radii and will not fatigue even from millions of iterations of flexing. Bipolar leads can include several conductors side by side within a glass/silica fiber, or can be concentric metal coatings in a structure including several fiber layers. An outer protective sheath of a flexible polymer material can be included.