Abstract: A side pumped laser comprises an elongated gain medium (10) provided between an output coupler (20) and a counter reflector (15) and a pump source (65) configured to provide radiation to the gain medium (10) along a side axis of the gain medium, wherein the laser is configured such that radiation from the pump source is directly incident on the gain medium; and the pump source is provided proximate, adjacent or in contact with the gain medium. The laser material and compositions, geometries and dimensions are designed to both maximize laser performance and to permit the use of construction techniques commonplace in the production of equipment designed for optical telecoms systems to facilitate low cost high volume and miniaturization.

Abstract: A method for use in controlling emission of an optical pulse from a laser comprises pumping a gain medium of a laser at a rate which is limited so that free-running passive Q-switching of the laser is prevented regardless of a duration of pumping of the gain medium. The method further comprises triggering a saturable absorber of the laser so as to reduce a laser cavity loss below a laser cavity gain and cause an optical pulse to be emitted from the laser at a desired emission time. Such a method may provide for the reduction of pulse-to-pulse timing jitter, the control of energy of the emitted optical pulse and/or for the suppression of the emission of multiple optical pulses that may otherwise occur for free-running passive Q-switching of the laser for sufficient gain medium pumping rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breast pump operable to generate a negative pressure comprising a funnel (24) for receiving a breast of a user. The breast pump (24) has an insert (50,70) receivable in the funnel (24) having a deformable region (59a-59e) which forms a chamber between the insert (50,70) and the funnel (24) when the insert (50,70) is received in the funnel (24). A passageway (37) connecting the chamber to the source of negative pressure is formed in the funnel (24) so that, during use, the deformable region (59a-59e) is deformed and/or deflected relative to the breast of a user in response to a negative pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A side pumped laser comprises an elongated gain medium (10) provided between an output coupler (20) and a counter reflector (15) and a pump source (65) configured to provide radiation to the gain medium (10) along a side axis of the gain medium, wherein the laser is configured such that radiation from the pump source is directly incident on the gain medium; and the pump source is provided proximate, adjacent or in contact with the gain medium. The laser material and compositions, geometries and dimensions are designed to both maximise laser performance and to permit the use of construction techniques commonplace in the production of equipment designed for optical telecoms systems to facilitate low cost high volume and miniaturisation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a funnel for a breast pump. Milk expressed from a user's nipple is known to pool at a user's breast. The funnel for a breast pump according to the present invention comprises a breast receiving portion (29) and a nipple receiving chamber (34) to receive a user's nipple. The nipple receiving chamber (34) is defined by an inner surface (36) of an outer wall (37), wherein the inner surface (36) of the outer wall (37) extends from the breast receiving portion (29), and a lower section (40) of the inner surface (36) diverges away from an opposing upper section (39) of the inner surface (36) and a user's nipple received in the nipple receiving chamber. The present invention also relates to a breast pump comprising a funnel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breast pump operable to generate a negative pressure comprising a funnel (24) for receiving a breast of a user. The breast pump (24) has an insert (50,70) receivable in the funnel (24) having a deformable region (59a-59e) which forms a chamber between the insert (50,70) and the funnel (24) when the insert (50,70) is received in the funnel (24). A passageway (37) connecting the chamber to the source of negative pressure is formed in the funnel (24) so that, during use, the deformable region (59a-59e) is deformed and/or deflected relative to the breast of a user in response to a negative pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a funnel for a breast pump. Milk expressed from a user's nipple is known to pool at a user's breast. The funnel for a breast pump according to the present invention comprises a breast receiving portion (29) and a nipple receiving chamber (34) to receive a user's nipple. The nipple receiving chamber (34) is defined by an inner surface (36) of an outer wall (37), wherein the inner surface (36) of the outer wall (37) extends from the breast receiving portion (29), and a lower section (40) of the inner surface (36) diverges away from an opposing upper section (39) of the inner surface (36) and a user's nipple received in the nipple receiving chamber. The present invention also relates to a breast pump comprising a funnel.

Abstract: A phosphate glass doped with copper in an amount of less than 2% by weight is formed to produce a lens for use on external aircraft lights. The glass attenuates infra red radiation to a degree where it does not pose a danger of temporarily blinding a pilot wearing night vision goggles yet remains visible. The glass has little appreciable effect on light transmission in the visible spectrum. Conveniently, the glass can be formed by slumping at a softening temperature against a mold to produce intricate lens shapes. In addition, the glass is able to withstand conventional toughening processes.