Abstract: A system SY for determining a tissue type TY of a tissue region TR is provided in which the distal ends OFDE1 . . . n of at least three optical fibers define a plurality of intersecting optical paths IOP1 . . . k within the tissue region TR. A tissue signal Q1 . . . k indicative of a tissue type TY for the respective optical path IOP1 . . . k is generated from said spectral measurement data SMD corresponding to each of the plurality of intersecting optical paths IOP1 . . . k. Each tissue signal Q1 . . . k is compared with a reference threshold QRT for the tissue type, and with an average of the tissue signals QMA. At least a portion of the tissue region is identified as the tissue type TY if i) every tissue signal Q1 . . . k in the tissue region TR indicates that its corresponding tissue is not the tissue type TY in the comparison with the N reference threshold QRT and ii) at least one of the tissue signals Q1 . . . k in the tissue region TR lies between the average QMA of the tissue signals Q1 . . .

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical link, comprising an optical converter circuit (16) having an optoelectronic device (18) and circuitry (20) connected to the optoelectronic device (18). The optoelectronic device (18) has a plurality of individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i). The optical link further comprises an elongated optical guide (14) having a single optical fiber optically connected at a first end to the optoelectronic device (18) and configured to transmit light away from the optoelectronic device (18), wherein the individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) have different positions relative to the first end of the optical fiber so that light beams emitted by the optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) are coupled into the optical fiber under different angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical link, comprising an optical converter circuit (16) having an optoelectronic device (18) and circuitry (20) connected to the optoelectronic device (18). The optoelectronic device (18) has a plurality of individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i). The optical link further comprises an elongated optical guide (14) having a single optical fiber optically connected at a first end to the optoelectronic device (18) and configured to transmit light away from the optoelectronic device (18), wherein the individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) have different positions relative to the first end of the optical fiber so that light beams emitted by the optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) are coupled into the optical fiber under different angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical transceiver, comprising an optical converter circuit (24) comprising an optoelectronic device (26), an electronic appliance (30) generating data, and circuitry (28) configured to control the optoelectronic device (26) and the electronic appliance (30). The optoelectronic device (26) is configured to, upon receiving an incoming optical beam, convert the optical beam into electrical energy. The optoelectronic device (26) is further configured to emit optical pulses, wherein emission of the optical pulses is induced by the incoming optical beam through photo-induced electro-luminescence (PIEL), wherein the optical pulses based on photo-induced electro-luminescence comprise the data generated by the electronic appliance (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical link, comprising an optical converter circuit (16) having an optoelectronic device (18) and circuitry (20) connected to the optoelectronic device (18). The optoelectronic device (18) has a plurality of individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i). The optical link further comprises an elongated optical guide (14) having a single optical fiber optically connected at a first end to the optoelectronic device (18) and configured to transmit light away from the optoelectronic device (18), wherein the individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) have different positions relative to the first end of the optical fiber so that light beams emitted by the optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) are coupled into the optical fiber under different angles.

Abstract: A biopsy device for taking a 3D biopsy may comprise an outer sleeve, a hollow main shaft, a biopsy tube and a tube shaft. The hollow main shaft may have a distal end portion with a sideward facing notch, and the main shaft may be adapted to be accommodated within the outer sleeve. The biopsy tube may be provided for receiving cut and thus isolated tissue. A proximal end of the biopsy tube may be releasably attachable to a distal end of the tube shaft so that the biopsy tube is movable together with the tube shaft within the hollow main shaft between a proximal position in which the biopsy tube is not located in the notch, and a distal position in which the biopsy tube is located in the notch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical link, comprising an optical converter circuit (16) having an optoelectronic device (18) and circuitry (20) connected to the optoelectronic device (18). The optoelectronic device (18) has a plurality of individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i). The optical link further comprises an elongated optical guide (14) having a single optical fiber optically connected at a first end to the optoelectronic device (18) and configured to transmit light away from the optoelectronic device (18), wherein the individual optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) have different positions relative to the first end of the optical fiber so that light beams emitted by the optoelectronic segments (18a-18i) are coupled into the optical fiber under different angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical transceiver, comprising an optical converter circuit (24) comprising an optoelectronic device (26), an electronic appliance (30) generating data, and circuitry (28) configured to control the optoelectronic device (26) and the electronic appliance (30). The optoelectronic device (26) is configured to, upon receiving an incoming optical beam, convert the optical beam into electrical energy. The optoelectronic device (26) is further configured to emit optical pulses, wherein emission of the optical pulses is induced by the incoming optical beam through photo-induced electro-luminescence (PIEL), wherein the optical pulses based on photo-induced electro-luminescence comprise the data generated by the electronic appliance (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector for mating a first group of one or more optical fibers (102) with one or more corresponding optical fibers in a second group of one or more optical fibers (103). The optical fiber connector includes a shutter (105), which prevents the ingress of debris into the connector, and provides an optical reference surface with which to calibrate optical fibers that are inserted into the connector. The optical fiber connector finds application in the general optical fiber field, and more particularly finds application in the medical field in which it may be used to connect optical fibers in a photonic needle application.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring the distance between a first device and a second device, the method comprising performing a time-of-flight-based distance measurement to measure the distance between the first device and the second device, wherein the length of the signals transmitted and/or the number of time-of-flight measurements obtained during the time-of-flight-based distance measurement is determined according to an accuracy level required for the distance measurement.

Abstract: A system for tissue inspection is provided, comprising a console (50) with a light source (64), a spectrometer (66), an optical switch (65) and a processing unit. The system further comprises an elongated shaft (10), wherein an illumination fiber (40), a plug (50) in front of the illumination fiber (40), and a detection fiber (41) is provided in the elongated shaft (10). The illumination fiber (40) is capable of transmitting light from the light source (64) to its front surface and is capable of transmitting light being back-reflected from the plug (50) to the optical switch (65). The detection fiber (41) is capable of transmitting light reflected from tissue in front of the distal end surface of the elongated shaft (10) to the optical switch (65). The optical switch (65) is configured to provide the back-reflected light to the spectrometer (66) for generating a reference spectrum and to provide the light reflected from the tissue to the spectrometer (66) for generating a diffuse reflectance spectrum.

Abstract: A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprises an input for receiving light from the sample and a photonic integrated circuit. This photonic optical filter comprises one or more tunable bandpass filters arranged to filter the received light. Furthermore, the device comprises a controller that is arranged—to control the one or more tunable bandpass filters, to receive filter results obtained from the one or more tunable bandpass filters, and to provide spectroscopic analysis results based on the received filter results.

Abstract: A system for tissue inspection is provided, comprising a console (50) with a light source (64), a spectrometer (66), an optical switch (65) and a processing unit. The system further comprises an elongated shaft (10), wherein an illumination fiber (40), a plug (50) in front of the illumination fiber (40), and a detection fiber (41) is provided in the elongated shaft (10). The illumination fiber (40) is capable of transmitting light from the light source (64) to its front surface and is capable of transmitting light being back-reflected from the plug (50) to the optical switch (65). The detection fiber (41) is capable of transmitting light reflected from tissue in front of the distal end surface of the elongated shaft (10) to the optical switch (65). The optical switch (65)) is configured to provide the back-reflected light to the spectrometer (66) for generating a reference spectrum and to provide the light reflected from the tissue to the spectrometer (66) for generating a diffuse reflectance spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical needle which comprises an elongate tube and at least one optical fiber, e.g. two fibers, arranged within the elongate tube, for making optical measurements at the distal end of the needle. The optical fibers(s) has a beveled distal end surface, wherein a plane touching the beveled distal end surface and a longitudinal extension axis of the optical fiber forms a bevel angle which is 30°-35°. Such needle is advantageous for providing a medical needle which is reliable and long term stable, can be manufactured in low cost using known optical fiber materials, thus allowing it to form part of disposable medical kits. Still, the bevel angle of 30°-35° provides a needle which is easy to insert and which provides a low tendency to cause tissue sticking. Especially, the elongate tube and the optical fiber end(s) have the same beveled angle within the range 30°-35°, thus allowing a smooth front surface of the needle.

Abstract: A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprises an input for receiving light from the sample and a photonic integrated circuit. This photonic optical filter comprises one or more tunable bandpass filters arranged to filter the received light. Furthermore, the device comprises a controller that is arranged—to control the one or more tunable bandpass filters, to receive filter results obtained from the one or more tunable bandpass filters, and to provide spectroscopic analysis results based on the received filter results.

Abstract: A biopsy device for taking a 3D biopsy may comprise an outer sleeve, a hollow main shaft, a biopsy tube and a tube shaft. The hollow main shaft may have a distal end portion with a sideward facing notch, and the main shaft may be adapted to be accommodated within the outer sleeve. The biopsy tube may be provided for receiving cut and thus isolated tissue. A proximal end of the biopsy tube may be releasably attachable to a distal end of the tube shaft so that the biopsy tube is movable together with the tube shaft within the hollow main shaft between a proximal position in which the biopsy tube is not located in the notch, and a distal position in which the biopsy tube is located in the notch.

Abstract: A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprising: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprising: an input (DEF) for receiving light from the sample; and a demultiplexer (DEMUX) arranged to distribute the received light into at least a first optical chain (C1) and a second optical chain (C2); wherein each optical chain (C1, C2) of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) further comprises a tunable bandpass filter (TBF1, TBF2) and a variable attenuator (ATT1, ATT2) and a photodetector (PD1, PD2) arranged respectively to filter and to attenuate and to detect the light distributed into its corresponding optical chain (C1, C2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector for mating a first group of one or more optical fibers (102) with one or more corresponding optical fibers in a second group of one or more optical fibers (103). The optical fiber connector in dudes a shutter (105), which prevents the ingress of debris into the connector, and provides an optical reference surface with which to calibrate optical fibers that are inserted into the connector. The optical fiber connector finds application in the general optical fiber field, and more particularly finds application in the medical field in which it may be used to connect optical fibers in a photonic needle application.

Abstract: A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprising: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprising: an input (DEF) for receiving light from the sample; and a demultiplexer (DEMUX) arranged to distribute the received light into at least a first optical chain (C1) and a second optical chain (C2); wherein each optical chain (C1, C2) of the photonic integrated circuit C(PIC) further comprises a tunable bandpass filter (TBF1, TBF2) and a variable attenuator (ATT1, ATT2) and a photodetector (PD1, PD2) arranged respectively to filter and to attenuate and to detect the light distributed into its corresponding optical chain (C1, C2).