A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable comprising a cladding region, a fiber core, and a plurality of sacrificial regions disposed in the cladding region and focusing a laser beam at a series of predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable. The method also includes creating a series of damage sites associated with the series of predetermined locations, wherein the series of damage sites define a variable diameter profile and a latticework in the cladding region of the fiber optic cable. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the series of damage sites, and separating peripheral portions of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

Devices and method introduce micro-modifications into an optical waveguides. The devices comprise and the methods utilize a focusing optical unit for focusing a laser pulses into a core region of the optical waveguide, at least one motor-driven adjustment device for carrying out a linear movement between the optical waveguide and a focus of the focused laser beam pulse, a holder for the optical waveguide, and a rotation device for rotating the optical waveguide, wherein the at least one motor-driven adjustment device is configured for moving the focal position through the optical waveguide, while the rotation device is configured to modify a rotational speed of the optical waveguide.

Devices and method introduce micro-modifications into an optical waveguides. The devices comprise and the methods utilize a focusing optical unit for focusing a laser pulses into a core region of the optical waveguide, at least one motor-driven adjustment device for carrying out a linear movement between the optical waveguide and a focus of the focused laser beam pulse, a holder for the optical waveguide, and a rotation device for rotating the optical waveguide, wherein the at least one motor-driven adjustment device is configured for moving the focal position through the optical waveguide, while the rotation device is configured to modify a rotational speed of the optical waveguide.

The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that implements a side-viewing imaging catheter. This system includes a catheter sheath enclosing an imaging core, wherein the imaging core presents an internal optical channel coupled to an optical element located at the distal end of the imaging core. The optical element includes an internal reflective surface that reflects and focuses light transmitted via the optical channel in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis of the catheter toward a target location, and returns reflected light from the target location back through the optical channel. This internal reflective surface of the optical element is shaped to focus the light so that a resulting beam shape at the target location has a small cross section area and substantially equal axial and transaxial dimensions.

The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that implements a side-viewing imaging catheter. This system includes a catheter sheath enclosing an imaging core, wherein the imaging core presents an internal optical channel coupled to an optical element located at the distal end of the imaging core. The optical element includes an internal reflective surface that reflects and focuses light transmitted via the optical channel in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis of the catheter toward a target location, and returns reflected light from the target location back through the optical channel. This internal reflective surface of the optical element is shaped to focus the light so that a resulting beam shape at the target location has a small cross section area and substantially equal axial and transaxial dimensions.

A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable, focusing a laser beam at a predetermined location inside the fiber optic cable, and creating a damage site at the predetermined location. The method also includes focusing the laser beam at a series of additional predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable and creating a plurality of additional damage sites at the additional predetermined locations. The damage site and the additional damage sites define a variable diameter profile. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the damage site and the plurality of additional damage sites, and separating a portion of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable, focusing a laser beam at a predetermined location inside the fiber optic cable, and creating a damage site at the predetermined location. The method also includes focusing the laser beam at a series of additional predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable and creating a plurality of additional damage sites at the additional predetermined locations. The damage site and the additional damage sites define a variable diameter profile. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the damage site and the plurality of additional damage sites, and separating a portion of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.

Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.

Laterally emitting optical waveguides and method introduce micromodifications into an optical waveguide and provide optical waveguides. The waveguides and methods comprise an optical wave-guiding core, a region in the optical waveguide, wherein the micro-modifications are arranged in the region of the optical waveguide, wherein the arrangement of the micro-modifications is ordered.