Abstract: A free space optics interface assembly includes a housing defining a free space chamber, an optical transmitter at a first end of the free space chamber, an optical receiver at a second end of the free space chamber, a first end plate secured to a first end flange of the housing, a second end plate secured to a second end flange of the housing, a first elastic material in the first end plate and located to compress against the first end flange of the housing when the first end plate is secured to the first end flange of the housing, and a second elastic material in the second end plate and configured to compress against the second end flange of the housing when the second end plate is secured to the second end flange of the housing.

Abstract: A system for identifying a location of a lumen of a tubular body structure in a patient's body includes a flexible, longitudinally extending probe configured to be inserted through the lumen in the tubular body structure in the patient. A detection system may include an antenna arranged to receive signals from a longitudinally extending detectable portion of the probe. A processing system may process the received signals and identify a longitudinally extending position of the longitudinally extending detectable portion of the probe in a three dimensional reference frame.

Abstract: An illustrative system includes first and second electrical circuits, a free space optics interface assembly, and a feedthrough assembly. The free space optics interface assembly may include an optical transmitter having an input that is electrically coupled to the first electrical circuit, and an optical receiver having an output that is electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit. The feedthrough assembly electrically connects the input of the optical transmitter to the first electrical circuit and includes a first conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a first input pin of the optical transmitter, a second conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a second input pin of the optical transmitter, a first conductive pad providing electrical connection of the first input pin of the optical transmitter to the first electrical circuit, and a second conductive pad providing electrical connection of the second input pin of the optical transmitter to the first electrical circuit.

Abstract: An illustrative system includes first and second electrical circuits, a free space optics interface assembly, and a feedthrough assembly. The free space optics interface assembly may include an optical transmitter having an input that is electrically coupled to the first electrical circuit, and an optical receiver having an output that is electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit. The feedthrough assembly electrically connects the input of the optical transmitter to the first electrical circuit and includes a first conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a first input pin of the optical transmitter, a second conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a second input pin of the optical transmitter, a first conductive pad providing electrical connection of the first input pin of the optical transmitter to the first electrical circuit, and a second conductive pad providing electrical connection of the second input pin of the optical transmitter to the first electrical circuit.

Abstract: An exemplary medical system includes a first electrical circuit (204-1) on a PCB (206), a second electrical circuit (204-2) on the PCB and electrically isolated from the first electrical circuit, and a free space optics interface assembly (302) on the PCB. The free space optics assembly includes a housing (402) defining a free space chamber (404) in the housing, an optical transmitter (416) having an input (426) that is electrically coupled to the first electrical circuit, and an optical receiver (418) in optical communication with the optical transmitter via the free space chamber and having an output (432) that is electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit. The optical transmitter and the optical receiver are hermetically sealed within the housing.

Abstract: An illumination source may be coupled to an image capture device through a connector. A light sensor is placed downstream of the connector to measure the light received by the image capture device from the illumination source. The light sensor provides the measurement of the received light to the illumination source for closed-loop control of illumination source. The light sensor may be positioned in a camera housing to take into account light attenuation from the illumination source to the camera. The light sensor may be positioned at other locations on the image capture device. Multiple light sensors may be positioned at different locations on the image capture device to detect sources or locations of attenuation. Redundant light sensors of more than one type of sensor may be used at a single light sensor location to provide for validation of measurements and increase the variety of information measured.

Abstract: An exemplary medical system includes a first electrical circuit (204-1) on a PCB (206), a second electrical circuit (204-2) on the PCB and electrically isolated from the first electrical circuit, and a free space optics interface assembly (302) on the PCB. The free space optics assembly includes a housing (402) defining a free space chamber (404) in the housing, an optical transmitter (416) having an input (426) that is electrically coupled to the first electrical circuit, and an optical receiver (418) in optical communication with the optical transmitter via the free space chamber and having an output (432) that is electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit. The optical transmitter and the optical receiver are hermetically sealed within the housing.

Abstract: A cannula can include a body with proximal and distal portions and a lumen extending through the body, the distal portion configured for insertion into a patient anatomy. An energy interface can be positioned in the proximal portion, and a light emitting device can be coupled to the energy interface and configured to emit light from the body. A system can include the cannula, a support structure, and an energy source. The support structure can include another energy interface that transfers energy to/from the energy interface. The energy source can be coupled to the cannula via the energy interfaces, where the light emitting device emits light from the body in response to energy received from the energy source via the energy interfaces. One or more cannulae can be used to illuminate the patient anatomy.

Abstract: An optical assembly generally having a substrate; a photonic-integrated circuit (PIC) mounted on the substrate, the PIC having a plurality of optical ports; a first structure having a bottom surface connected to the substrate, and a first planar surface extending perpendicularly to the substrate; a second structure having a second planar surface being connected to the first planar surface of the first structure via an adhesive, and a support surface; and a waveguide array having a support surface being connected to the support surface of the second structure, the waveguide array having a plurality of waveguides each defining an optical path, with the optical paths lying in a waveguide plane, the waveguide plane being perpendicular to the first and second planar surfaces, the optical paths being maintained in optical alignment with corresponding ones of the optical ports via the adhered first and second planar surfaces.

Abstract: A system for identifying a location of a lumen of a tubular body structure in a patient's body includes a flexible, longitudinally extending probe configured to be inserted through the lumen in the tubular body structure in the patient. A detection system may include an antenna arranged to receive signals from a longitudinally extending detectable portion of the probe. A processing system may process the received signals and identify a longitudinally extending position of the longitudinally extending detectable portion of the probe in a three dimensional reference frame.

Abstract: A system includes a condenser and an evaporator. The condenser is configured to condense a working fluid, and the evaporator is configured to evaporate the working fluid. The system also includes piping that is configured to circulate the working fluid between the condenser and the evaporator. In addition, the system includes a low point configured to collect condensed working fluid. A controller is configured to selectively enable heating of the condensed working fluid collected within the low point based on a working fluid pressure of the low point.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor for a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid, comprising: two light distribution walls made of a transparent material, creating an elongated V-shaped channel adapted to receive the sunlight and to be partly immersed in the aqueous liquid, the sun-tracking light distributor has a center of buoyancy, a vertical passing through the center of buoyancy defines an axis of flotation, and a pivot axis of the sun-tracking light distributor is offset relative to the axis of flotation. Owing to the offset pivot axis, the orientation of the light distributor is changed by varying the level of aqueous liquid, thus allowing a tracking of the sun's altitude.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor for a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid, comprising: two light distribution walls made of a transparent material, creating an elongated V-shaped channel adapted to receive the sunlight and to be partly immersed in the aqueous liquid, the sun-tracking light distributor has a center of buoyancy, a vertical passing through the center of buoyancy defines an axis of flotation, and a pivot axis of the sun-tracking light distributor is offset relative to the axis of flotation. Owing to the offset pivot axis, the orientation of the light distributor is changed by varying the level of aqueous liquid, thus allowing a tracking of the sun's altitude.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor system for use in an open-ended photo-bioreactor having an aqueous liquid for a photosynthetic culture, comprising: at least one light distributor each including a concentrator supporting section with a light entry surface adapted to receive sunlight rays, an elongated rod section with a light distribution surface adapted to redirect the received sunlight rays within the aqueous liquid, a light concentrating element provided at the light entry surface which concentrates within the elongated rod at least a portion of the sunlight rays received at the light entry surface; a displacement system operatively connected to the light distributors and adapted to change an orientation of the light entry surface of the light distributors to track a solar position.

Abstract: A solar concentrator for concentrating solar radiation toward a solar cell, a concentrated photovoltaic module including a solar concentrator and a solar cell, and a secondary optical element for use in a solar concentrator are provided. The solar concentrator includes a primary optical element for collecting and focusing the solar radiation, and a secondary optical element. The secondary optical element is arranged to receive the solar radiation collected and focused by the primary optical element and includes an input end, and output end, and an adiabatic light guide tapering from the input end toward the output end and configured for concentrating and adiabatically guiding the solar radiation between the input and output ends. Some embodiments of the present invention can be useful in solar photovoltaic applications where it is desirable to provide high acceptance angles while maintaining high concentration and optical efficiency levels.

Abstract: An optical assembly generally having a substrate; a photonic-integrated circuit (PIC) mounted on the substrate, the PIC having a plurality of optical ports; a first structure having a bottom surface connected to the substrate, and a first planar surface extending perpendicularly to the substrate; a second structure having a second planar surface being connected to the first planar surface of the first structure via an adhesive, and a support surface; and a waveguide array having a support surface being connected to the support surface of the second structure, the waveguide array having a plurality of waveguides each defining an optical path, with the optical paths lying in a waveguide plane, the waveguide plane being perpendicular to the first and second planar surfaces, the optical paths being maintained in optical alignment with corresponding ones of the optical ports via the adhered first and second planar surfaces.

Abstract: Described is a method for the culture of microalgae, comprising: providing a consortium of at least two living species of microalgae; culturing under illumination the consortium in a controllable bioreactor and under non-sterile aqueous culture conditions; and controlling the culture conditions for affecting at least one of the following output: (i) flocculation and/or settling of said consortium of microalgae; and (ii) adhesion of the microalgae to surfaces of the bioreactor; wherein said culture conditions are controlled to promote (i) and/or to minimize (ii), without adversely affecting growth of the consortium of microalgae. It is also possible to control the culture conditions for affecting iii) the protein, carbohydrate, and/or fat content of the said microalgae consortium. A system for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor system for use in one of an open-ended system and a closed photo-bioreactor for a photosynthetic culture having an aqueous liquid is described. The system comprises: two light distribution walls made of a transparent material allowing sunlight to pass therethrough, the two light distribution walls creating an elongated channel with an interior space adapted to receive the sunlight and an exterior surface adapted to be partly immersed in the aqueous liquid in use; and a displacement system operatively connected to at least one of the two light distribution walls, the displacement system being adapted to change an orientation of the at least one of the two light distribution walls to track a solar position with respect to at least one axis.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor for a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid, comprising: two light distribution walls made of a transparent material, creating an elongated V-shaped channel adapted to receive the sunlight and to be partly immersed in the aqueous liquid, the sun-tracking light distributor has a center of buoyancy, a vertical passing through the center of buoyancy defines an axis of flotation, and a pivot axis of the sun-tracking light distributor is offset relative to the axis of flotation. Owing to the offset pivot axis, the orientation of the light distributor is changed by varying the level of aqueous liquid, thus allowing a tracking of the sun's altitude.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for inspecting matter and the use thereof for sorting recyclable material including transparent material are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a lighting unit for projecting a concentrated diffused lighting onto the matter to generate a specular reflected light beam representative of the inspected matter. The apparatus comprises an imaging unit mounted according to a given imaging angle with respect to the projected concentrated diffused lighting for imaging the specular reflected light beam to provide image data representative of the inspected matter. The apparatus comprises an analyzing unit for analyzing the image data and providing matter characterization data based on the specular reflected light beam representative of the inspected matter.