Abstract: Artificially stimulated deglutition methods and systems including providing a portable system born by a user for controlling a component of a complete swallowing act without substantial aspiration. The system includes a controller, a signal generator, and a subcutaneously positioned electrode array with at least one electrode. The electrode array is subcutaneously positioned and is operated to stimulate a single deglutition muscle where the single deglutition muscle is the only deglutition muscle directly artificially stimulated via the electrode array during the complete swallowing act. Systems and methods of nerve stimulation and selective nerve stimulation are also provided to artificially stimulate deglutition.

Abstract: A physical property of a fluid or of any optical fiber is measured using an ptical fiber interferometer. A conductive material is disposed upon the surface of a region of a light tranmitting optical fiber and the region having the conductive material is disposed in the fluid. Light energy is applied to one end of the fiber and transmitted light is received at the other end of the fiber. Electrical energy is applied to the conductive material disposed upon the surface of the fiber to heat the region of the fiber and cause a change in the optical path length of the light transmitted through the fiber. The physical property of the fluid or optical fiber is determined in accordance with the change in the optical path length or phase of the received light caused by applying the electrical energy to the conductive material. Thermal conductivity is measured using a series of short energy pulses and determining the average phase change.

Abstract: A physical property of a liquid or of any optical fiber is measured using optical fiber interferometer. A conductive material is disposed upon the surface of a region of a light transmitting optical fiber and the region having the conductive material is disposed in the liquid. Light energy is applied to one end of the fiber and transmitted light is received at the other end of the fiber. Electrical energy is applied to the conductive material disposed upon the surface of the fiber to heat the region of the fiber and cause a change in the optical path length of the light transmitted through the fiber. The physical property of the liquid or optical fiber is determined in accordance with the change in the optical path length of the received light caused by applying the electrical energy to the conductive material. A series of short energy pulses is provided and the average phase change is determined. The conductive material is gold and it encircles the fiber.

Abstract: The phase of light passing through an optical waveguide is modulated by aying electric current to heat the waveguide and thereby alter the length and refractive index thereof. An application for the thermal phase modulation concept is provided in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.