Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes a main tube. A guide tube, which includes at least one optical element, is positioned within the main tube's central space. A compressible element is also positioned within the main tube's central space. To reduce the adverse effects of ice formation within the optical fiber cable, the compressible element more readily deforms than do the guide tube and main tube. Also disclosed is a method for modifying a conventional optical fiber cable with a compressible element according to the present invention.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is described that comprises a storage device having a housing (7) and a rotatable reel (2), configured for storing a flexible optical waveguide, wherein the reel (2) is coupled to a flexible optical waveguide unit (1) having an external diameter (D1) of at most 2 mm for winding and/or unwinding the waveguide unit (1).

Abstract: A cable, provided with at least one signal conductor (5), for instance glass fiber and/or glass fiber bundle, received in a cable inner space (3), such that a signal conductor take-out part can be taken out of the cable inner space (3), wherein the length of said take-out part is at least 1% of a cable length over which the take-out part can be taken out of the cable, preferably more than 2%, in particular more than 4% and more in particular more than 10%.

Abstract: A cable, comprising a cylindrical cable wall (2) surrounding a hollow cable inner space (3), wherein the cable (1) is provided with at least one signal conductor (5), for instance glass fiber and/or glass fiber bundle, wherein, in a first position, the signal conductor (5) extends substantially in the cable inner space (3) and over a particular distance along the cable wall (2), along an at least partly curved path, such that a length of the signal conductor (5) is larger than a length of the cable wall (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly that facilitates installation of an optical fiber communication cable through narrow cable guides having sharp bends. The pre-ferrulized cable assembly includes a communication cable having a free, front end, a semi-finished communication connector, and a suction plug. The invention further relates to efficient methods for installing the modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly through a cable guide.

Abstract: An automated optical switch for use in a central office to increase coupling density including a frame having a mating plate defining a plurality of precision alignment holes formed therethrough. In one embodiment, the precision alignment holes are sized and configured to receive corresponding pairs of optical fibers with polished end faces disposed within ferrules free of connector housings. In another embodiment, the precision alignment holes are sized and configured to receive optical fibers with polished end faces free of ferrules and connector housings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly that facilitates installation of an optical fiber communication cable through narrow cable guides having sharp bends. The pre-ferrulized cable assembly includes a communication cable having a free, front end, a semi-finished communication connector, and a suction plug. The invention further relates to efficient methods for installing the modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly through a cable guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable assembly for communication purposes. The cable assembly includes a communication cable having a free, front end and a communication connector. The communication cable can be passed through a cable guide from a starting position to an end position with its free, front end. The communication cable includes at least one optical fiber that is coaxially surrounded by at least one cable sheath, within which at least one strain-relieving element is present. The communication connector can be mounted to the free end of the communication cable in communicative contact with the optical fiber. To make it possible to pass the communication cable through the cable guide, the optical fiber is exposed at the communication cable's free, front end, which is fixedly surrounded by a connecting element. The connecting element can be mechanically connected to the communication connector after the communication cable has passed through the cable guide.

Abstract: Methods of identifying specific target molecules for design of anti-angiogenic and vascular targeting approaches are disclosed. Transcriptional profiles of tumor endothelial cells were compared with that of normal resting endothelial cells, normal but angiogenically activated placental endothelial cells, and cultured endothelial cells. Although the majority of transcripts were classified as general angiogenesis markers, 17 genes were identified that show specific overexpression in tumor endothelium. Antibody targeting of four cell-surface expressed or secreted products (vimentin, CD59, HMGB1 and IGFBP7) inhibited angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Finally, targeting endothelial vimentin in a mouse tumor model significantly inhibited tumor growth and reduced microvessel density. The results demonstrate the utility of the identification and subsequent targeting of specific tumor endothelial markers for anticancer therapy.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition comprising 15 to 85 wt % of at least one solvent comprising ?20 wt % of water; 5 to 50 wt % of at least one radiation curable material having a Mn in the range of from 50 to 10,000 g/mol; and 10 to 70 wt % of at least one polyurethane having a Mw in the range of from 4,000 to 70,000 g/mol, the polyurethane having 0 to 5 wt % of isocyanate-reactive component(s) bearing ionic or potentially ionic water-dispersing groups and a free isocyanate group content ?0.5 wt %.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly that facilitates installation of an optical fiber communication cable through narrow cable guides having sharp bends. The pre-ferrulized cable assembly includes a communication cable having a free, front end, a semi-finished communication connector, and a suction plug. The invention further relates to efficient methods for installing the modified pre-ferrulized cable assembly through a cable guide.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes a main tube. A guide tube, which includes at least one optical element, is positioned within the main tube's central space. A compressible element is also positioned within the main tube's central space. To reduce the adverse effects of ice formation within the optical fiber cable, the compressible element more readily deforms than do the guide tube and main tube. Also disclosed is a method for modifying a conventional optical fiber cable with a compressible element according to the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for installing a cable into cable guide tubing and the like. The method typically includes rotating a reel of cable guide tubing at least 360° while, using compressed gas, feeding a cable, such as a plurality of microducts, into the cable guide tubing. The related apparatus includes a cable injection unit and a rotation coupling unit to facilitate the installation of cable (e.g., microducts) into the rotating cable guide tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable assembly for communication purposes. The cable assembly includes a communication cable having a free, front end and a communication connector. The communication cable can be passed through a cable guide from a starting position to an end position with its free, front end. The communication cable includes at least one optical fiber that is coaxially surrounded by at least one cable sheath, within which at least one strain-relieving element is present. The communication connector can be mounted to the free end of the communication cable in communicative contact with the optical fiber. To make it possible to pass the communication cable through the cable guide, the optical fiber is exposed at the communication cable's free, front end, which is fixedly surrounded by a connecting element. The connecting element can be mechanically connected to the communication connector after the communication cable has passed through the cable guide.

Abstract: A cable is installed in a duct by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during field installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable exits from the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. Lubricant supplied from an external reservoir drains into a pressurized lubricator space through which the cable moves. Foam-plugs seal the entrance and the exit of the lubricator space. The cable is wetted by the lubricant as it moves through the lubricator space, and excess lubricant is wiped by the foam plug, leaving only a thin film of lubricant on the cable as it moves out of the lubricator. In one embodiment, the lubricator is fitted with a single wiping member in the form of an annular plug of open cell foam material, and the cable passes through laterally opposite sections of the annular plug. The lubricator housing is formed in mating sections, and the internal lubricator is also formed in mating sections.

Abstract: A cable is installed in a protective duct or guide tube by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable exits from the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. A hollow chamber filled with foam-plugs saturated with lubricant forms the cable lubricator. Lubricant is wiped onto the cable as it moves through the pressurized lubrication compartment. A portion of the airflow used for propelling the cable during blowing installation is bypassed around the lubricator and injected into the duct trajectory downstream of the lubricator.

Abstract: A method for installing branches in a protective ducting system in which guide tubes and cables have already been laid, wherein at a desired branch location in the protective duct, a splittable Y-branch connector with an inlet opening, an outlet opening and at least one branch opening is installed by cutting a short section from the duct at the desired branch point and exposing the guide tubes and cables, opening the splittable branch connector and arranging it around the exposed guide tubes and cables, and closing and securing the Y-branch connector with splittable coupling collars in such a manner that the inlet opening and the outlet opening engage in sealing manner over the respective cut ends of the existing duct, and the branch opening of the connector is secured by engagement of a branch stub around a branch duct through which a branch guide tube is laid.

Abstract: A filling body is inserted together with a loose bundle of guide tubes during installation into the passage space of a protective duct, thus enlarging the bundle diameter (which reduces the buckling risk) and making crossing of the guide tubes impossible. The guide tubes are positioned along the outside of the filling body, providing access to the guide tubes during post-installation branching. The filling body may include radially projecting spacer ribs that separate the guide tubes, thereby preventing crossing movement and helical stranding. The guide tubes are thus constrained and carried along with the filling body in alignment with the spacer ribs, so that buckling, helical stranding and three-dimensional restrictions or tangles cannot occur.

Abstract: A cable is installed in a protective duct or guide tube by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable exits from the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. A hollow chamber filled with foam-plugs saturated with lubricant forms the cable lubricator. Lubricant is wiped onto the cable as it moves through the pressurized lubrication compartment. A portion of the airflow used for propelling the cable during blowing installation is bypassed around the lubricator and injected into the duct trajectory downstream of the lubricator.

Abstract: A cable is installed in a guide tube by means of blowing (and, optionally, synergetic pushing) and lubricating the cable during this installation. Lubricating the cable is done after the cable has passed the cable blowing equipment and hence takes place in a pressurized airflow passage. A hollow chamber filled with foam-plugs saturated with lubricant forms the cable lubricator. To avoid buckling, cable guide blocks are placed, which also divide the lubricator in different sub-chambers, each with its own foam-plug and content of lubricant. The airflow, needed to propel the cable during blowing, can bypass the lubricator.