Abstract: Multi-directional optical devices are disclosed. The optical device may employ a multiple input/multiple output optical coupling structure to determine propagation direction of received light (in receiver configuration), and/or control the propagation direction of transmitted light (in transmitter configuration). Propagation direction can be determined without the need for moving parts. In accordance with some embodiments, designs of solid-state photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are disclosed herein that utilize N×M star couplers to perform Fourier transformations to light traversing between the N ports and M ports such that light arriving at one or more of the N ports is distributed with a linear phase profile across the M ports. The slope of the linear phase profile is dependent on which of the N ports that light was received from. The light exits from waveguides coupled to the M ports at one or more propagation directions dependent on the linear phase profile.

Abstract: Embodiments for crossing an occlusion by controlling a guide with the aid of optical coherence tomography (OCT) data are described. Embodiments include transmitting one or more beams of radiation via one or more waveguides on a flexible substrate within a guide wire. One or more beams of scattered or reflected radiation may be received from a sample via one or more waveguides. Depth-resolved optical data of the sample may be generated based on the received beams of scattered or reflected radiation. The depth-resolved data may be used for determining at least one of a distance between the guide wire and a wall of the artery and a distance between the guide wire and an occlusion within the artery. A position of the guide wire within the artery may then be controlled based on the determined distance or distances.

Abstract: A medical instrument is described that includes an optical source, an optical fiber, and a waveguide patterned upon a substrate. The optical fiber receives radiation from the optical source and includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is rotated about an optical axis relative to the first segment. The waveguide receives radiation from the optical source and guides a beam of radiation. The waveguide includes a first waveguide segment designed to impart a first differential group delay on the beam of radiation and a second waveguide segment designed to impart a second differential group delay on the beam of radiation. A sum of the first differential group delay and the second differential group delay is substantially zero.

Abstract: A fabrication method includes arranging a plurality of dice on a substrate and performing a first etching process that etches a first layer of the substrate at a boundary between adjacent dice on the substrate. The etching forms facets of one or more waveguides that are defined within the first layer, and the etching leaves a portion of the first layer in the boundary between the adjacent dice. The method continues with a second etching process that etches the portion of the first layer and a second layer beneath the portion of the first layer, the second etching process forming a trench in the boundary where the second layer has a different material than the first layer. The method also includes separating the dice from one another along the trench.

Abstract: A medical instrument is described that includes an optical source, an optical fiber, and a waveguide patterned upon a substrate. The optical fiber receives radiation from the optical source and includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is rotated about an optical axis relative to the first segment. The waveguide receives radiation from the optical source and guides a beam of radiation. The waveguide includes a first waveguide segment designed to impart a first differential group delay on the beam of radiation and a second waveguide segment designed to impart a second differential group delay on the beam of radiation. A sum of the first differential group delay and the second differential group delay is substantially zero.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing RF ablation while monitoring the procedure using low coherence interferometry (LCI) data are described. A catheter includes a distal section, a proximal section, a multiplexer, and a sheath coupled between the distal section and the proximal section. The distal section includes one or more electrodes configured to apply RF energy to a portion of a sample in contact with the electrode. The distal section also includes a plurality of optical elements configured to transmit one or more beams of exposure radiation away from the distal section of the catheter. The proximal section includes an optical source configured to generate a source beam of radiation and a detector configured to generate depth-resolved optical data. The multiplexer is configured to generate the one or more beams of exposure radiation from the source beam of radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing RF ablation while monitoring the procedure using low coherence interferometry (LCI) data are described. A catheter includes a distal section, a proximal section, a multiplexer, and a sheath coupled between the distal section and the proximal section. The distal section includes one or more electrodes configured to apply RF energy to a portion of a sample in contact with the electrode. The distal section also includes a plurality of optical elements configured to transmit one or more beams of exposure radiation away from the distal section of the catheter. The proximal section includes an optical source configured to generate a source beam of radiation and a detector configured to generate depth-resolved optical data. The multiplexer is configured to generate the one or more beams of exposure radiation from the source beam of radiation.

Abstract: A medical instrument is described that includes an optical source, an optical fiber, and a waveguide patterned upon a substrate. The optical fiber receives radiation from the optical source and includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is rotated about an optical axis relative to the first segment. The waveguide receives radiation from the optical source and guides a beam of radiation. The waveguide includes a first waveguide segment designed to impart a first differential group delay on the beam of radiation and a second waveguide segment designed to impart a second differential group delay on the beam of radiation. A sum of the first differential group delay and the second differential group delay is substantially zero.

Abstract: A medical instrument is described that includes an optical source, an optical fiber, and a waveguide patterned upon a substrate. The optical fiber receives radiation from the optical source and includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is rotated about an optical axis relative to the first segment. The waveguide receives radiation from the optical source and guides a beam of radiation. The waveguide includes a first waveguide segment designed to impart a first differential group delay on the beam of radiation and a second waveguide segment designed to impart a second differential group delay on the beam of radiation. A sum of the first differential group delay and the second differential group delay is substantially zero.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for performing merged optical tissue evaluation and laser ablation with a catheter system that includes a processing device and a catheter with proximal and distal sections with a plurality of optical ports that are configured to transmit beams of exposure radiation to a sample, receive one or beams of scattered radiation, and transmit laser ablation energy such that a portion of the sample is ablated. The processing device includes a first optical source configured to generate a source beam of exposure radiation and a second optical source configured to generate the laser ablation energy. The catheter system further includes one or more multiplexers that direct the beams of exposure radiation to the plurality of optical ports, combine the one or more beams of scattered radiation, and direct the laser ablation energy to at least one optical port of the plurality of optical ports.

Abstract: A medical instrument is described that includes an optical source, an optical fiber, and a waveguide patterned upon a substrate. The optical fiber receives radiation from the optical source and includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is rotated about an optical axis relative to the first segment. The waveguide receives radiation from the optical source and guides a beam of radiation. The waveguide includes a first waveguide segment designed to impart a first differential group delay on the beam of radiation and a second waveguide segment designed to impart a second differential group delay on the beam of radiation. A sum of the first differential group delay and the second differential group delay is substantially zero.

Abstract: A fabrication method includes arranging a plurality of dice on a substrate and performing a first etching process that etches a first layer of the substrate at a boundary between adjacent dice on the substrate. The etching forms facets of one or more waveguides that are defined within the first layer, and the etching leaves a portion of the first layer in the boundary between the adjacent dice. The method continues with a second etching process that etches the portion of the first layer and a second layer beneath the portion of the first layer, the second etching process forming a trench in the boundary where the second layer has a different material than the first layer. The method also includes separating the dice from one another along the trench.

Abstract: Embodiments for crossing an occlusion by controlling a guide with the aid of optical coherence tomography (OCT) data are described. Embodiments include transmitting one or more beams of radiation via one or more waveguides on a flexible substrate within a guide wire. One or more beams of scattered or reflected radiation may be received from a sample via one or more waveguides. Depth-resolved optical data of the sample may be generated based on the received beams of scattered or reflected radiation. The depth-resolved data may be used for determining at least one of a distance between the guide wire and a wall of the artery and a distance between the guide wire and an occlusion within the artery. A position of the guide wire within the artery may then be controlled based on the determined distance or distances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a guide with the aid of optical coherence tomography (OCT) data are described. A guide wire includes at least one optical fiber, a flexible substrate, and one or more optical elements. The at least one optical fiber transmits a source beam of radiation. The flexible substrate includes a plurality of waveguides. At least one of the plurality of waveguides transmits one or more beams of radiation away from the guide wire, and at least one of the plurality of waveguides receives one or more beams of scattered radiation that have been reflected or scattered from a sample. The multiplexer generates the one or more beams of exposure radiation from the source beam of radiation. The one or more optical elements at least one of focus and steer the one or more beams of radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing RF ablation while monitoring the procedure using low coherence interferometry (LCI) data are described. A catheter includes a distal section, a proximal section, a multiplexer, and a sheath coupled between the distal section and the proximal section. The distal section includes several interconnected optical ports configured to transmit exposure radiation toward a sample and receive radiation that have been reflected or scattered from the sample. The interconnected optical ports are formed on a substrate having rigid sections and flexible sections arranged around the distal section. A holder maintains the interconnected optical elements in a fixed spatial relationship.

Abstract: A Time Domain Optical Coherence Tomography system using a modulation scheme multiplexes the scanning range of the delay line into different spectral bands. Such a modulation scheme may allow for power consumption reduction compared with a single delay line element since the same modulation pattern is being used for several channels. In an example, the optical coherence tomography system may include a plurality of stages, each stage having a group delay element. The distinct group delays may be introduced to scan a sample with distinct electrical frequency bands at distinct axial scanning depth ranges.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing RF ablation while monitoring the procedure using low coherence interferometry (LCI) data are described. A catheter includes a distal section, a proximal section, a multiplexer, and a sheath coupled between the distal section and the proximal section. The distal section includes several interconnected optical ports configured to transmit exposure radiation toward a sample and receive radiation that have been reflected or scattered from the sample. The interconnected optical ports are formed on a substrate having rigid sections and flexible sections arranged around the distal section. A holder maintains the interconnected optical elements in a fixed spatial relationship.

Abstract: A chip package includes a housing, one or more electrical connections coupled to an exterior of the housing, a photonic integrated circuit, and a scanning unit. Both the photonic integrated circuit and the scanning unit are disposed within the housing. The photonic integrated circuit has at least one waveguide designed to guide a beam of light. The scanning unit is designed to laterally scan the beam of light across a focal plane outside of the housing. The scanning unit is aligned with the photonic integrated circuit such that the beam of light is coupled between the photonic integrated circuit and the scanning unit.

Abstract: A system for optical coherence tomography using multiple interferometers presented. The interferometry system includes a source configured to generate a variable wavelength light beam. A first splitter is configured to split the variable wavelength light beam to at least a first light beam and a second light beam. A first delay element is configured to delay the first light beam by a first time delay. A second delay element is configured to delay the second light beam by a second time delay, such that the delayed first light beam and the delayed second light beam are out of coherence with each other. A first interferometer is configured to receive the delayed first light beam as an input. A second interferometer is configured to receive the delayed second light beam as an input.

Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing the device are presented. The device includes a ridge, a peninsula formation, and a conductive trace. The ridge is defined within a semiconducting material. The peninsula formation is also defined within the semiconducting material and is adjacent to the ridge such that a gap exists between an end face of the peninsula formation and a side wall of the ridge. The conductive trace bridges across the gap such that the conductive trace runs over a top surface of the peninsula and a top surface of the ridge.