Abstract: A flexible light conduit which preserves the coherence of a transmitted beam. Several conduit elements having optical elements mounted inside each one are connected together to form a chain. Each conduit element is tiltably coupled to each adjacent conduit element in the chain. The optical elements may be refractive or reflective. The conduit preserves the spatial coherence properties of the beam so the input image is reimaged at a distant place, having passed through the series of relay optical elements through the angles permitted by the coupling members.

Abstract: A lensing duct to condense (intensify) light using a combination of front surface lensing and reflective waveguiding. The duct tapers down from a wide input side to a narrow output side, with the input side being lens-shaped and coated with an antireflective coating for more efficient transmission into the duct. The four side surfaces are uncoated, preventing light from escaping by total internal reflection as it travels along the duct (reflective waveguiding). The duct has various applications for intensifying light, such as in the coupling of diode array pump light to solid state lasing materials, and can be fabricated from inexpensive glass and plastic.

Abstract: An improved endoscope employing phase conjugate imaging principles includes a first transmissive member for transmitting light rays received at a distal tip of the endoscope to an intermediate filter location. A phase conjugate filter at the intermediate filter location redirects the rays, according to the precise inverse of their incoming direction, along a second transmissive member optically identical to the first. Rays exiting the endoscope bear the exact relation to one another as when entering the tip of the endoscope and may be imaged or displayed on an eyepiece or video screen.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical probe for emission of light from a region smaller than a wavelength. The optical probe includes a transmission line fed by an optic fiber and an impedance matched coupling. In a first embodiment the optical probe ends with a surface-wave transmission line including a central conductor and a coaxial dielectric. The diameter of the central conductor at the optic fiber is selected to substantially match the transmission impedance of the surface-wave transmission line to that of the optic fiber. The diameter of the central conductor decreases to a diameter smaller than the use wavelength at the tip end. The far end of the dielectric preferably includes a concavity to shape the resulting electric fields. In an alternative embodiment, the optical probe includes a coaxial transmisson line. The optic fiber includes a section having a decreasing diameter outer cladding and a section having no outer cladding.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly in one embodiment includes an optical fiber, a jacket member axially surrounding the fiber, a connector for coupling the fiber to a source of laser radiation, a strain relief boot attached to the connector and axially surrounding a substantial length of the jacket and the optical fiber, and a support element axially surrounding the proximal end of the optical fiber and separating the jacket and connector from the fiber. In a second embodiment, the cable has first and second jacket portions and a third jacket portion rotatably coupled therebetween. The third jacket portion includes three tubular passages, two of which are arranged in axial alignment with the optical fiber and a third passage angularly connected to the first two and rotatable in an arc about the fiber axis. The third passage is operatively coupled to a fluid port which may be disposed at various arcuate positions about the fiber axis for fluid flow into the third passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for the isotropic emission and for the isotropic reception of light which includes a light conductor having a conical distal end with a scattering body mounted thereon in spaced relationship such that a cavity is formed between the light conductor end and the scattering body. The apparatus permits access to cavities such as hollow organs for internal laser phototherapy, for example.

Abstract: The multiple optical fiber event sensor apparatus includes a semi-permeable tubular sleeve, and a plurality of individual optical fiber event sensor modules within the sleeve arranged in an axially staggered relationship. A rounded tip is also provided on the distal end of the sleeve. The device provides for a multiplicity of individual sensors incorporated in a single tubular sleeve which minimizes cross-interference and thrombus formation when used as an intravascular multi-sensor.