Abstract: An optical fiber including a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber and a method of quantifying loss associated with an optical connector that is connected to optical fiber comprising a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber. The method includes inserting an optical signal into the fiber through the optical connector; measuring a component of the optical signal reflected by at least one of the plurality of embedded optical reflectors, in which the component is received through the optical connector; calculating the difference in power level between the inserted and reflected signals; and quantifying, based on the calculated power level difference and the reflectivity of the embedded optical reflector, the loss associated with the optical connector.

Abstract: An optical fiber including a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber and a method of quantifying loss associated with an optical connector that is connected to optical fiber comprising a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber. The method includes inserting an optical signal into the fiber through the optical connector; measuring a component of the optical signal reflected by at least one of the plurality of embedded optical reflectors, in which the component is received through the optical connector; calculating the difference in power level between the inserted and reflected signals; and quantifying, based on the calculated power level difference and the reflectivity of the embedded optical reflector, the loss associated with the optical connector.

Abstract: An optical fiber joint including a support member, a plurality of optical fiber storage trays connected to the support member, where an optical splitter is received within one of the optical fiber storage trays, the optical splitter comprising one or more input optical fibers and a plurality of output optical fibers wherein, in use the or each spliced optical splitter output optical fibers and respective optical splice and further optical fiber are stored within an optical fiber storage tray; and the or each unspliced optical splitter output optical fibers are stored within an optical fiber storage apparatus which is external to the plurality of optical fiber storage trays.

Abstract: A medical image data processing apparatus comprises a registration unit configured to perform a non-rigid registration of a first set of medical image data and a second set of medical image data, wherein the registration unit is further configured to determine, for at least one region, a rigid or affine registration that is an approximation of the non-rigid registration.

Abstract: A medical image data processing apparatus comprises a registration unit configured to perform a non-rigid registration of a first set of medical image data and a second set of medical image data, wherein the registration unit is further configured to determine, for at least one region, a rigid or affine registration that is an approximation of the non-rigid registration.