Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion-compensating (DC) module [740] comprising a first length of DC optical fiber [10] in tandem with a second length of a standard singlemode optical fiber. The DC fiber is fabricated from silica glass and has a refractive index profile that includes a core region [51] surrounded by a cladding region [52] having a nominal refractive index n4. The core region includes a central core [511] having a nominal refractive index n1, a “trench” [512] surrounding the central core having a nominal refractive index n2, and a “ridge” [513] surrounding the trench having a nominal refractive index n3. A range of refractive index profiles has been found that provides relative dispersion slopes (RDS) that are greater than 0.012 nm−1 and figures of merit that are greater than 200 ps/(nm·dB).

Abstract: A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion-compensating (DC) optical fiber 10 that is designed to support the fundamental mode of radiation at 1550 nm. The DC fiber is fabricated from silica glass and has a refractive index profile that includes a core region 51 surrounded by a cladding region 52 having a nominal refractive index n4. The core region includes a central core 511 having a nominal refractive index n1, a “trench” 512 surrounding the central core having a nominal refractive index n2, and a “ridge” 513 surrounding the trench having a nominal refractive index n3. A range of refractive index profiles has been found that provides relative dispersion slopes (RDS) that are greater than 0.012 nm−1 and figures of merit that are greater than 200 ps/(nm·dB). The range is conveniently expressed in terms of index differences and radial dimensions: central core: radius=1.5±0.5 &mgr;m, and 0.015<n1−n4<0.035; trench: width=4.3±1.0 &mgr;m, and −0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion-compensating (DC) optical fiber 10 that is designed to support the fundamental mode of radiation at 1550 nm. The DC fiber is fabricated from silica glass and has a refractive index profile that includes a core region 51 surrounded by a cladding region 52 having a nominal refractive index n4. The core region includes a central core 511 having a nominal refractive index n1, a “trench” 512 surrounding the central core having a nominal refractive index n2, and a “ridge” 513 surrounding the trench having a nominal refractive index n3. A range of refractive index profiles has been found that provides relative dispersion slopes (RDS) that are greater than 0.012 nm−1 and figures of merit that are greater than 200 ps/(nm·dB).

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion-compensating (DC) optical fiber 10 that is designed to support only the fundamental mode of radiation at 1550 nm. The DC fiber is fabricated from silica glass and has a refractive index profile that includes a core region 51 surrounded by a cladding region 52 having a nominal refractive index n4. The core region includes a central core 511 having a nominal refractive index n1, a “trench” 512 surrounding the central core having a nominal refractive index n2, and a “ridge” 513 surrounding the trench having a nominal refractive index n3. A range of refractive index profiles has been found that provides figures of merit that are greater than 300 ps/(nm·dB) and relative dispersion slopes that are greater than 0.01 nm−1. The range is conveniently expressed in terms of index differences and radial dimensions: central core: radius=1.5±0.5 &mgr;m, and 0.015<n1−n4<0.035; trench: width=3.5±1.0 &mgr;m, and −0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion-compensating (DC) optical fiber 10 that is designed to support only the fundamental mode of radiation at 1550 nm. The DC fiber is fabricated from silica glass and has a refractive index profile that includes a core region 51 surrounded by a cladding region 52 having a nominal refractive index n4. The core region includes a central core 511 having a nominal refractive index n1, a “trench” 512 surrounding the central core having a nominal refractive index n2, and a “ridge” 513 surrounding the trench having a nominal refractive index n3. A range of refractive index profiles has been found that provides figures of merit that are greater than 300 ps/(nm·dB) and relative dispersion slopes that are greater than 0.01 nm−1.

Abstract: A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus.

Abstract: An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus manipulates disc tissue present at a selected location of an intervertebral disc, comprising a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the catheter having an intradiscal section at the distal end of the catheter, the intradiscal section being extendible into the disc, having sufficient rigidity to be advanceable through the nucleus pulposus of the disc under a force applied longitudinally to the proximal end, having sufficient flexibility in a direction of the disc plane to be compliant with the inner wall, having insufficient penetration ability to be advanceable through the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus under the applied force; and a functional element located in the intradiscal section for adding or removing energy or a material at the selected location of the disc. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus manipulates disc tissue present at a selected location of an intervertebral disc, comprising a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the catheter having an intradiscal section at the distal end of the catheter, the intradiscal section being extendible into the disc, having sufficient rigidity to be advanceable through the nucleus pulposus of the disc under a force applied longitudinally to the proximal end, having sufficient flexibility in a direction of the disc plane to be compliant with the inner wall, having insufficient penetration ability to be advanceable through the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus under the applied force; and a functional element located in the intradiscal section for adding or removing energy or a material at the selected location of the disc. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.