Abstract: Various semiconductor laser and optical amplifier designs and injection current control methods are disclosed that enable tailoring a distribution of the injection current along an active waveguide of the laser or the optical amplifier. Such configurations can be used to reduce longitudinal current crowding along the active waveguide of the laser or the optical amplifier. The electrodes and/or one or more layers of the laser or the optical amplifier may be segmented to provide a tailored longitudinal injection current distribution.

Abstract: An optical device is provided that includes an active waveguide having a top electrode and a plurality of layers including a gain layer. Configurations are disclosed for the active waveguide to enable amplification of a guided optical wave profile while preserving a shape of a lateral optical intensity profile of the guided optical wave as the guided optical wave is amplified along the waveguide. The top electrode and/or one or more layers of the active optical waveguide may be tailored to provide a tailored optical gain.

Abstract: A reversible headwear with a reversible and size adjustable strap, and a reversible buckle mechanism. The adjustable headwear having two layered dome shaped crowns, each having a head-encircling outer edge. The dome shaped crowns are joined together only at the rib assembly of the crown members to allow individual separation and shaping of the dome shaped crowns. The outer edge of the crown members includes attachment of a reversible and size adjustable strap, with a reversible buckle mechanism.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device disclosed herein, a real-time left atrial pressure (“LAP”) signal obtained from a patient's heart is used as a feedback control mechanism to adjust one or more device parameters. In accordance with one example embodiment of the invention, the device identifies specific characteristics and attributes of the LAP signal that correlate to hemodynamic performance, and adjusts the device parameters to optimize the LAP characteristics and attributes. The example device is a dual-chamber pacing system, the controlled operating parameter may include the atrioventricular pacing delay, and one LAP attribute suitable for controlling the atrioventricular pacing delay relates to time intervals of v-wave, a-wave, and/or c-wave characteristics of the LAP signal.