Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end movable about a pivot from a first position disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One (or both) of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot and at least one retention element is configured to operably couple to both a proximal end of the jaw members and a distal end of the flexible insulating boot.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end movable about a pivot from a first position disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. One or both of the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting electrical energy to tissue held therebetween. An flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. An adhesive is included and is operably disposed between at least one jaw member and the flexible insulating boot for securing the flexible insulating boot to the jaw member.

Abstract: Superoleophobic substrates and methods of forming same are disclosed. The methods include providing a laser-ablatable substrate comprising glass and directing a laser beam to the substrate surface and laser-ablating at least a portion thereof to form an array of spaced-apart micropillars having sidewalls. The laser beam is provided with sufficient energy to form on the sidewalls an irregular rough surface with re-entrant microscale and nanoscale features that render the substrate surface superoleophobic when coated with a low-surface-energy coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods of collapsing the air lines in the air line-containing region of a nanostructure optical fiber are disclosed. One method includes initiating irradiation of a portion of the nanostructure optical fiber from essentially opposite directions with at least first and second laser beams having substantially equal power and essentially the same mid-infrared wavelength. The method includes continuing the irradiation for an irradiation time t1 so as to bring the optical fiber portion to a softening temperature TS at which the air lines in the optical fiber portion collapse into the adjacent cladding. Exemplary optical systems for carrying out the air- line-collapsing methods of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One (or both) of the jaw members is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot and at least one retention element is configured to operably couple to both a proximal end of the jaw members and a distal end of the flexible insulating boot.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that are relatively movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates a drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members includes one or more mechanical interfaces and is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. A flexible insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members and about the pivot. At least a portion of the flexible boot is configured to operatively engage the mechanical interface(s) on the jaw member.

Abstract: An optical ferrule is provided with a ferrule body having a front face and at least one covering applied to the front face to protect the front face of the ferrule from a laser beam used during a trimming process. The optical ferrule may also have a second covering disposed between the front face of the ferrule and the first covering to assist in adhering the first covering to the optical ferrule. A method is also provided for applying the first covering or the first covering and the second covering to the front face of the ferrule. A method is also provided for trimming, and in particular, ablating portions of one or more optical fibers that protrude beyond the front face of the ferrule.

Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 weight percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making a lens on the end of an optical waveguide fiber. The apparatus includes a laser, wherein the laser emits a laser beam. The apparatus further includes a beam expander disposed to receive the laser beam, whereby the beam expander increases the diameter of the laser beam, thereby producing an expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the first aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam, and a second aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the second aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first mirror disposed in the path of the expanded laser beam wherein the first mirror redirects the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a focusing mirror disposed to receive the expanded laser beam, wherein the focusing mirror focuses the expanded laser beam thereby forming a heat zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making a lens on the end of an optical waveguide fiber. The apparatus includes a laser, wherein the laser emits a laser beam. The apparatus further includes a beam expander disposed to receive the laser beam, whereby the beam expander increases the diameter of the laser beam, thereby producing an expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the first aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam, and a second aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the second aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first mirror disposed in the path of the expanded laser beam wherein the first mirror redirects the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a focusing mirror disposed to receive the expanded laser beam, wherein the focusing mirror focuses the expanded laser beam thereby forming a heat zone.

Abstract: A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 mole percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting air/cladding and core/cladding interfaces of blanks (13) used to produce optical waveguide fibers are provided. A beam of coherent light (30) is scanning across the blank (13) and spatial light intensity patterns produced thereby (FIG. 5) are detected and analyzed. Air/cladding interfaces correspond to a decrease in the width of a unimodal spatial light intensity pattern as the beam moves towards the center of the blank (FIGS. 5A and 5B). Core/cladding interfaces correspond to the onset of an at least bimodal spatial light intensity pattern as the beam moves towards the center of the blank (FIGS. 5D and 5E). By rotating the blank and repeating the measurement process at two or more angular positions, concentricity and ellipticity values for a blank can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring preform diameter and runout during manufacture of the preform. A Keyence LB1201 displacement gauge is used to determine distance between a sensing unit and the surface of an optical waveguide preform. It was found that the gauge produced an alternating signal imposed on a constant signal. By dividing the signal into its constant and alternating components, preform diameter and runout can be measured. A water cooled band pass filter and housing are used to protect the sensing unit.The preform surface can be mapped using a pair of sensing units, capable of moving parallel to the preform axis of rotation, located in diametric opposition about the preform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an electrical property of a conductive coating on an optical fiber, the method comprising capacitively coupling at least one alternating electrical signal into and out of the conductive coating and measuring an electrical property of the coating carrying the alternating electrical signal. The apparatus comprises generating means for generating an alternating electrical signal; capacitive coupling means for capacitively coupling the alternating electrical signal into and out of the conductive coating, the capacitive coupling means being electrically connected to the generating means; and measuring means for measuring an electrical property of the conductive coating carrying the alternating electrical signal, the measuring means being electrically connected to the capacitive coupling means. A method of manufacturing coated optical fiber which incorporates the method of monitoring an electrical property of a conductive coating is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting two or more high gain, low input impedance amplifier stages for high gain amplification. A first amplifier stage (12) provides a first amplified signal to a coupling circuit. The coupling circuit (26) divides the power of the first amplified signal between the input to a second amplifier stage (14) and a feed forward path (28). The output of the second amplifier stage is combined with the feed forward portion of the first amplified signal in a signal combiner (30). Embodiments (FIGS. 4, 5) employing more than two amplifier stages are described.