Abstract: A microendoscope with a distal probe tip which has, in particular, a diameter of up to approximately 1 mm is provided and inside of which an optical subassembly at least provided with a micro-objective and with an image transmitting element is accommodated. An image transmitting system is connected to the optical subassembly. An image-enlarging coupling element is provided between the optical subassembly of the probe tip and the image transmitting system connected thereto. The image transmitting system connected to the coupling element has a larger active diameter than the optical subassembly that is provided with the distal objective. As a result, the distal probe tip on a handgrip has the necessary small working diameter over the entire working length, and at the beginning or inside the handgrip, the optical coupling element is coupled to an image guide or to an image transmitting system or the like having a higher pixel count and thus a larger active diameter and, therefore, a larger outside diameter.

Abstract: A plurality of optical fibers are bundled, and the fiber bundle is cut at a part of a mouthpiece which is fixed on an intermediate part of the fiber bundle. Thus, the fiber bundle is divided into a first optical fiber bundle and a second optical fiber bundle. Division surfaces of the first and second optical fiber bundles have the same properties and condition since the first and second optical fiber bundles are formed of the fiber bundle that is obtained by bundling the same optical fibers. The first optical fiber bundle is assembled in an insertion section of an endoscope and the second optical fiber bundle is assembled in a flexible tube, and a first light guide in the insertion section of the endoscope and a second light guide in the flexible tube are formed. Thereby, a separable light transmission path of the light guide is formed.

Abstract: A laser energy delivery device is provided that is suitable for irradiating a body tissue with relatively long wavelength laser energy in the presence of an aqueous liquid without significant absorption of the laser energy by the liquid. The device includes an elongate hollow sheath that has an open aperture at its distal end portion and closed at its proximal end, a laser energy conduit such as an optical fiber or hollow wave guide, within the sheath, the distal end of the conduit being disposed near the open aperture at the distal end portion of the sheath, and the proximal end of the conduit being adapted for connection to a source of long wavelength laser energy. The sheath also includes an inlet port, spaced from the proximal end of the sheath, and adapted to receive and deliver a biologically compatible gas through the sheath to a body tissue site in contact with the open distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed toward a stationery item having bundles of fiber optics that extend through an outside surface of the stationery item in order that points at the terminating points of the fibers can be viewed. These points can be arranged to coincide with a printed object on the outside surface of the stationery item.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical element, a GRIN lens, and a detector. The optical element has a first optical aperture. The GRIN lens has first and second ends. The first end of the GRIN lens is positioned to receive light from the first optical aperture. The detector is configured to measure values of a characteristic of light emitted from the first end in response to multi-photon absorption events in a sample illuminated by light from the second end of the endoscopic probe.

Abstract: An equipment includes an excitation source (1), elements for injecting (2) an excitation signal produced by the source in an ordered bundle (3) of flexible optical fibers, elements for analyzing (21, 22) an emitted autofluorescence signal. The equipment also includes at the output of the optical fiber bundle (3) an optical head (4) designed to be placed in contact with the biological tissue (6), the optical head being equipped with optical elements adapted to cause the excitation signal output from the bundle (3) to converge into a subsurface analyzing zone (5), the same optical fiber(s) used for excitation of the bundle (3) being used for detecting the signal emitted by the subsurface analyzing zone, elements (D) placed upstream of the injection elements (2) being further provided to separate the wavelength of the excitation signal and the wavelength of the autofluorescence signal.

Abstract: An optical scanning device including a bundle of optical fibers adapted for delivering optical energy beams therethrough, and an actuator coupled to the bundle of optical fibers adapted to bend the bundle of optical fibers in a scanning motion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a generally cylindrical optical waveguide, an light source emitting a laser beam, and a generally annular photodiode. The optical waveguide is provided at the distal end of the endoscope. The light source is on or near the center axis of the optical waveguide for emitting a laser beam onto a subject, so that light reflected from the subject enters an annular front-end surface of the optical waveguide. The photodiode faces an annular rear-end surface of the optical waveguide. A waterproof covering tube covers the optical waveguide and the photodiode.

Abstract: The invention provides a confocal microscope or endoscope, having a source of coherent light for illuminating a sample, and an imaging optical fibre bundle (82) for receiving return light, whereby the fibre bundle (82) provides a return channel for fluorescent return light (78). The optical fibre bundle (82) preferably preserves, between entry and exit ends of the bundle, the relative spatial coordinates of the cores of individual fibres constituting the bundle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertically aligned LCD (VA-LCD) comprising a negative compensation film including one or more of a first retardation film (+A-plate) satisfying the condition of nx>ny=nz and a first retardation film (?A-plate) satisfying the condition of nx<ny=nz, and one or more of a second retardation film (?C-plate) satisfying the condition of nx=ny>nz, wherein the first retardation film is arranged such that its optical axis is perpendicular to an optical absorption axis of a neighboring polarizing plate, and a total thickness retardation (R?C+RVA) including the thickness retardation of the second retardation film and the thickness retardation of a VA-panel has a negative value. The VA-LCD in accordance with the present invention improves contrast characteristics on a front surface and at a tilt angle and minimizes coloring in a black state according to the tilt angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of radio-frequency (RF) waveguides. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus that provides ultra-low-loss RF waveguide structures targeted between approximately 300 GHz and approximately 30 THz. The RF waveguide includes a hollow core and a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap structure surrounding the hollow core. The flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap structure is formed of a plurality of tubes formed of a dielectric material such as of low-loss quartz, polyethylene, or high-resistivity silicon. Using the RF waveguide, a user may attach a terahertz signal source to the waveguide and pass signals through the waveguide, while a terahertz signal receiver receives the signals.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises an electric scope and a light source apparatus. The light source apparatus has a light source and a light control apparatus. The light control apparatus adjusts a quantity of light that is incident to the electric scope, based on a comparison between a scope characteristic that indicates a relative value of the quantity of light that can be incident to the electric scope and a light source total characteristic that indicates a relative value of the quantity of the light radiated from the light source to the electric scope.

Abstract: A multiple numerical aperture (MNA) fiber optics array is provided, which contains multiple fibers having two or more different numerical apertures arranged and fused together. Each fiber has a transparent core wrapped inside a cladding having a higher refractive index than that of the core. Therefore, by projecting light beams into the fibers of different numerical apertures from one end, the light beams emitted out of the other end of the fibers have different ranges of coverage. The MNA fiber optics array can be used in its rod form, or after the rod is sliced cross-sectionally. For the latter, the sliced MNA fiber optics array is further fabricated into plano-convex, concave lenses by grinding and polishing, or meniscus lenses by molding.

Abstract: A position control apparatus for controlling position along an axis, comprising: an extensible member that can be extended and contracted along said axis, comprising shape memory alloy locatable to expand and contract along said axis, heating means for controlling said temperature of said shape memory alloy, and a feedback mechanism for controlling said heating means and responsive to variations in said position, wherein said position is controllable by means of said heating means and can be stabilized by means of said feedback mechanism.

Abstract: An illumination device is described containing optical fibers that transmit electromagnetic energy from a source to a target. Additional optical fibers return reflected electromagnetic energy from the target. High-level electromagnetic energy can be used for cutting, reforming, or treating a surface. Low-level electromagnetic energy illuminates the surface.

Abstract: An optical imaging system with a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has a central core element including a flexible optical conduit, with a number of wires surrounding the core element to form a tube concentric with an axis defined by the center of the core. The cable has a conductive shield layer surrounding the wires and uniformly spaced apart from the wires. An electronic instrument is connected to the first end of the cable and has an illuminator coupled with the optical conduit and a display device connected to the wires. An image transducer is connected to the second end of the cable and is connected to the wires. The wires may be twisted pairs evenly spaced apart from each other, and evenly spaced apart from an axis defined by the core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a universal single handed light cable receptive port is disclosed. In one embodiment, a jaw assembly is coupled to a base. A latch is coupled to a base to hold the jaw assembly open and to define an aperture. When a cable is inserted into an aperture the latch is released and the jaw assembly is closed to secure the cable. In another embodiment, a release mechanism is coupled to a jaw assembly to open the jaw assembly to release the cable and engage the latch. In a further embodiment, an actuator is coupled to the base, the actuator is to receive cable and release the latch when depressed by the cable.

Abstract: A light diffusing tip is provided. The light diffusing tip comprises a housing and a monolithic light scattering medium disposed within the housing. The monolithic light scattering medium comprises a first scattering region at a first position, the scattering region having a first scattering property and a second scattering region at a second position, the second scattering region having a second scattering property different from the first scattering property, wherein the first scattering region and the second scattering region are coextensive along a substantial portion of a length of the housing. A light diffusing applicator also is provided. The light diffusing applicator comprises at least one optical waveguide, a first termination coupled to a first end of the at least one optical waveguide, the first termination to couple to a light source and a light diffusing tip coupled to a second end of the at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining the subsurface microstructure of a sample are provided. Radiation from a plurality of optical radiation sources travels along a first optical path. In the first optical path, a device focuses the optical radiati n from each of the optical sources into a plurality of respective focal points along the first optical path to provide substantially continuous coverage of a selected portion of the first optical path. Then, a sample on the first optical path within the selected length extending into the sample is scanned along said selected portion of the first optical path.

Abstract: A probe for use in characterizing tissue. The probe includes a plurality of optical fibers and an optical element. Each fiber includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The fibers transmit light through the fiber to a surrounding area and collect light reflected back from the surrounding area. The optical element may be adjacent an outer periphery of the distal portion of the plurality of optical fibers. The optical element reduces an optical path length through blood.

Abstract: A fiberscope device is disclosed which is suitable for video imaging, laser Raman spectroscopy and laser Raman spectroscopic (i.e. chemical) imaging. The fiberscope design minimizes fiber background interference arising from the laser delivery fiber optic and the coherent fiber optic light gathering bundle while maintaining high light throughput efficiency through the use of integrated spectral filters. In the fiberscope design, the laser delivery fiber optic is offset from the coherent fiber optic light gathering bundle. The laser delivery field is captured entirely by the light gathering field of view of the coherent fiber bundle. The fiberscope incorporates spectral filter optical elements that provide environmental insensitivity, particularly to temperature and moisture.

Abstract: An optical head for equipping the distal end of a flexible optical fiber bundle, designed to be urged into contact with an analyzing surface and including optical elements for focusing an excitation signal into a so-called excitation focal point located at a specific depth beneath the analyzing surface and for sampling a signal backscattered by the excitation focal point which is carried back by the fiber bundle. The head includes an optics-holder tube wherein are inserted on one side the distal end portion of the fiber bundle and on the other optical elements, the latter including a plate placed in contact with the end of the fiber bundle whereof the index is close to that of the fiber core and a focusing optical block, an output window being further provided adapted to provide index adaptation so as to eliminate parasitic reflection occurring on the analyzing surface.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 1°/mm to 4000°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3°/mm to 400°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: In an endoscopic system there is a source of radiation and a waveguide, which is symmetric about an axis and receptive of the radiation for guiding the radiation therealong. A coupling mechanism engages or disengages the waveguide to or from an endoscope. An attenuator is deployable in a first position when the waveguide is engaged to the endoscope and deployable in a second position when the waveguide is disengaged from the endoscope. When the attenuator is deployed in the first position, the radiation passes from the waveguide to the endoscope and when the attenuator is in the second position, the radiation is at least partially blocked from passing from the waveguide to the endoscope or from exiting the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for a fiberscope. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a chemical imaging fiberscope for imaging and collecting optical spectra from a sample having at least one illumination fiber for transmitting light from a first an a second light source to a distal end of a fiberscope; a dichroic mirror disposed at said distal end of the fiberscope such that light from said first light source passes substantially straight through said mirror and light of a predetermined wavelength from said second light source is substantially reflected by said mirror toward said sample to thereby illuminate said sample; and at least one collection fiber for receiving light from said illuminated sample and transmitting the received light to an optical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber-optic sensing system for measuring a curvature in a small and elongated cavity of an object. The system includes a light source, an optical fiber and a light signal reflecting device disposed at a distal end of the optical fiber. The optical source emits a light signal into the optical fiber. The distal section of the optical fiber is inserted into the cavity of the object which curvature is to be measured. The curvature of the cavity bends the distal section of the optical fiber so that attenuation of light signal transmitting through the distal section occurs. This attenuated signal is reflected by a reflecting device and coupled into a measuring device. Thereby the curvature is deduced in accordance with the amount of energy attenuation in the reflected light signal.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features systems, including a photonic crystal fiber including a core extending along a waveguide axis and a dielectric confinement region surrounding the core, the dielectric confinement region being configured to guide radiation along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the photonic crystal fiber. The systems also includes a handpiece attached to the photonic crystal fiber, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 1°/mm to 4000°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3°/mm to 400°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a cooling apparatus for conducting visual inspections within operating temperature environments, such as, for example, the interior of a combustion turbine shortly after shut down. The cooling apparatus provides cooling for an inspection probe such as a video borescope. The cooling apparatus includes an articulating guide tube having a control portion, an elongate flexible portion and an articulating section. The video borescope is inserted down through the articulating guide tube. A thermal protective sleeve surrounds and thermally insulates a portion of the articulating guide tube. Vortex coolers circulate cooled, compressed air within the cooling apparatus, thereby maintaining a cool video borescope operating temperature.

Abstract: A microscope includes a light source that emits an illuminating light beam for illumination of a specimen, a beam splitter separating measuring light out of the illuminating light beam, and an apparatus for determining the light power level of the illuminating light beam. The apparatus for determining the light power level of the illuminating light beam receives the measuring light and includes an apparatus for simultaneous color-selective detection of the measuring light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical fiber and an electrically conducting layer. The optical fiber has a tapered portion with a lateral surface and an end face. The electrically conducting layer is located on a portion of the lateral surface of the tapered portion. The tapered portion and electrically conducting layer are configured to generate surface plasmons that propagate along a surface of the conducting layer in response to light of a preselected wavelength arriving at an end of the tapered portion.

Abstract: A coupler for interfacing a light source, such as a laser, and a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The coupler includes a slide mount having a channel that is adapted to receive optical fibers. The channel extends from a proximal end of the slide mount to a distal end of the slide mount. The proximal end of the slide mount is adapted to fit into an aperture of the light source and the distal end of the slide mount is adapted to transmit light to the fiber optic cable. The coupler also includes a clamp that is mounted on the slide mount adjacent to its proximal end. The clamp covers at least a portion of the channel, thereby securing the optical fibers within the channel without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: An endoscope and stroboscope comprising an elongated rigid tube that includes an inner tube providing an optical path for viewing through said tube by a human being, an LED light source connected to said tube and a fiber optic bundle providing light transmission from said LED through and within said endoscopic and stroboscopic tube providing optical illumination from the distal end of said tube without interfering with the optical view for the user. The LED light source can be varied in intensity. A first end of the fiber optic bundle is a hemispherical concave shape abuts the LED light source.

Abstract: A leached fiber bundle with the light outlet points positioned as accurately as possible is provided, in which the end faces are not completely fused together, but rather are only fused together at their contact surfaces. The interstices formed are permanently filled with adhesives with the aid of a pressure reduction. To protect the optical fibers from mechanical load, adhesives are introduced into the transition region between the fixed end region and a flexible region. This allows the leached fiber bundles to be produced more economically and also improves their service life.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises means for storing in a memory input image data as basic image data in a period of a predetermined number of fields as well as feeding the input image data to image compression means, means for finding, with respect to each of the input image data corresponding to the fields between the field corresponding to the input image data which has been stored in the memory and the field corresponding to the input image data which is to be subsequently stored in the memory, the difference between the input image data and the basic image data which has been most newly stored in the memory, and feeding data representing the obtained difference to the image compression means, and means for recording on a recording medium compressed data for each field which has been compressed by the image compression means, together with identification indicating whether the compressed data corresponds to the basic image data or the difference data.

Abstract: A fiber optic wafer probe that includes a fiber optic cable for approaching a device under test.

Abstract: A method of manipulating a microscopic quantity of material is disclosed wherein an optical fiber probe having a sharp tip with a hole fabricated therein is used to extract the material. The hole is sufficiently small that upon immersion of the sharp tip in the material a virtual seal forms to inhibit penetration of the material into the hole. A laser pulse is sent down the fiber probe to disrupt the seal and promote entry of the material into the hole. The probe can also be used in a reverse manner to deliver trapped material from the hole into a targeted region. The bole also permits an annular light intensity distribution at and near the exit of the probe tip which can be used to optically trap particles.

Abstract: A display arrangement for providing optical information into an observer's field of view, which can be carried at the head, includes a picture source, a picture transmission device and an eyepiece. The picture transmission device consists of at least partially of a fiber optics section which is at least partially surrounded by a material that is plastically deformable.

Abstract: An optical fiber imaging system includes an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers, an elongated housing receiving and at least partially enclosing the optical fiber bundle therein, and an optical window disposed at an end of the elongated housing and thereby defining a cavity within the elongated housing next to the end face of the fiber bundle, the cavity being adapted to retain a substance of inert chemistry such as index matched oil for suppressing environmental degradation at the end face of the fiber bundle. The oil is preferably made of silicone petroleum products with the index of refraction being advantageous to the preferred optical characteristics of the entire imaging system.

Abstract: Optical probes having a diameter less than substantially 500 ?m for use in scanning light from a long, highly flexible fiber to a sample. In one embodiment the probe includes a viscous damping fluid suitable to prevent non-uniform rotational distortion (NURD).

Abstract: An image processing enhancement system for receiving a fiber based image. The characteristics of fiber bundle are used to image process an image which has come through the fiber bundle. Those characteristics may be obtained from individual calibration, or simply from a knowledge of the fiber bundle's likely characteristics. One aspect determines the positions of fiber pixels, and interpolates between those fiber pixels.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe device having a sampling end positionable over optical fibers is provided. The sleeve could be releasably attached to the fiber optic probe device. The sampling end can be discarded after use, or re-used. A sample chamber including a reflective surface can be formed at the distal end of the sampling end.

Abstract: A probe for use in Raman spectroscopy that can be inserted into a chemical vessel through a small diameter fitting while maximizing the amount of Raman shifted radiation collected and minimizing spurious effects.

Abstract: A probe comprises an excitation source and a double-core optical fiber. A pulsed laser signal (20) of the excitation sources supplied to the outer core (42) at one end of the optical fiber. The other end is provided with an interferometer film (18). An excitation signal (22) produced in the sample (10) modulates the thickness of the film (18). This provides an interferometer signal (26, 28) detected from the inner core (40).

Abstract: A confocal microscope system that is inherently fiberoptic compatible is described which has line scanning aided image formation. An incoherent fiberoptic bundle maps a line illumination pattern into a dispersible group of separate sources, and then remaps this confocally selected remitted light to the original line. Fibers, not confocal with the illumination, carry light to be rejected from the image back on itself upon double passing, while separate fibers carry light from non-confocal sample planes. The transformation allows efficient rejection of unwanted photons at a slit aperture. The fiber bundle and an objective lens provide a flexible probe for imaging internal tissue for pathological examination on a cellular level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical imaging system including: a light source for emitting light to a sample; a small-diameter probe; a fiber optic bundle, arranged in the probe, for guiding light from the light source to the sample; a photodetector for detecting light reflected by the sample; an image generating circuit for generating an image on the basis of signals obtained by the photodetector; a connecting member for detachably connecting the probe to at least one of the light source, the photodetector, and the image generating circuit; and a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative positional relation between the end face of the fiber bundle close to the light source and light, which is emitted from the light source and is incident on the fiber bundle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for in situ inspection of optical ports for occlusions that might impede an optical signal. The present invention utilizes a mini-borescope of the type having a borescope insertion tube of less that two millimeters in diameter. The mini-borescope may utilize a video camera for capturing images of the target and adjustably magnifies the target image for display. In addition, one of a plurality of component type borescope-to-optical port adapters is coupled to the mini-borescope insertion tube. Each particular type borescope-to-optical port adapter allows the insertion tube to be inserted and aligned to a corresponding type of optical component, for instance if the BOPA is an SC-type male connector, then the insertion tube will be readily accepted by an SC-type female adapter. Also included in the BOPA is a protective sleeve that surrounds a portion of the mini-borescope insertion tube.

Abstract: A probe of an endoscope comprises a light guide fiber bundle and an image guide fiber bundle. The light guide fiber bundle supplies illumination light to the distal end of the probe, to illuminate the observed object. The illumination light is reflected by the observed object, and enters the end surface of the image guide fiber bundle. A ratio of an illumination sectional area of the light guide fiber bundle to a light receiving sectional area of the image guide fiber bundle is made equal.

Abstract: A fiberscope device is disclosed which is suitable for video imaging, laser Raman spectroscopy and laser Raman spectroscopic (i.e. chemical) imaging. The fiberscope design minimizes fiber background interference arising from the laser delivery fiber optic and the coherent fiber optic light gathering bundle while maintaining high light throughput efficiency through the use of integrated spectral filters. In the fiberscope design, the laser delivery fiber optic is offset from the coherent fiber optic light gathering bundle. The laser delivery field is captured entirely by the light gathering field of view of the coherent fiber bundle. The fiberscope incorporates spectral filter optical elements that provide environmental insensitivity, particularly to temperature and moisture.

Abstract: A near field light probe is capable of emanating a near field light having a sufficient intensity while allowing reduction of aperture size to improve resolution. The near field light probe can be incorporated in a near-field optical microscope, a near field light lithography apparatus, and a near field light storage apparatus. A near field light probe has a configuration in which a light-blocking film is formed with an aperture having slits surrounding the major opening. Light emitted from a light source is coupled into the probe from one side of the light-blocking film, the light being polarized in a predetermined direction with respect to the slits so that a near field light emanates from the major opening.