Abstract: A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.

Abstract: A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.

Abstract: A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.

Abstract: A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.

Abstract: A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.

Abstract: A pitch averaging Bragg grating includes a plurality of grating peaks spaced by different pitch values. By selecting the different pitch values to have an average pitch value equal to a target pitch value, the pitch averaging Bragg grating can be made to perform like a constant pitch Bragg grating having a fixed pitch at the target pitch value. The different pitch values can be multiples of the minimum placement resolution of a production tool to be used to produce the Bragg grating. The pitch averaging Bragg grating can be used in place of constant pitch Bragg gratings in optical devices and systems, such as DFB lasers, DBR lasers, optical spectral filters, multi-wavelength laser arrays, and WDM systems.

Abstract: A pitch averaging Bragg grating includes a plurality of grating peaks spaced by different pitch values. By selecting the different pitch values to have an average pitch value equal to a target pitch value, the pitch averaging Bragg grating can be made to perform like a constant pitch Bragg grating having a fixed pitch at the target pitch value. The different pitch values can be multiples of the minimum placement resolution of a production tool to be used to produce the Bragg grating. The pitch averaging Bragg grating can be used in place of constant pitch Bragg gratings in optical devices and systems, such as DFB lasers, DBR lasers, optical spectral filters, multi-wavelength laser arrays, and WDM systems.

Abstract: A device is provided for demultiplexing a DWDM composite light signal into distinct signal channels or frequencies. The device includes a plurality of resonators, which each acts to slice an incoming signal into two equal parts. The free spectral range characteristics (FSR) of the resonators are successively increased by an even multiple to achieve the slicing effect. As a result, the resonators of the subject invention can be formed with relatively low finesse values because of the slicing effect.