Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting contaminated tube lumens are described herein. One system includes an ultraviolet light source and a sterile fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to a liquid light guide. The system is configured to allow simultaneous access and propagation of ultraviolet light and fluid in a tube having a lumen to be cleaned and disinfected. The light guide can be moved inside the tube and simultaneously emit ultraviolet light through its walls and at its distal end into the interior of the contaminated tube. A flush of sterile fluid from an open end of the liquid light guide removes debris and micro-organism detached from the inner surface during light exposure. The sterile fluid can be a high refractive index ionic solution promoting light propagation.

Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting contaminated tube lumens are described herein. One system includes an ultraviolet light source and a sterile fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to a liquid light guide. The system is configured to allow simultaneous access and propagation of ultraviolet light and fluid in a tube having a lumen to be cleaned and disinfected. The light guide can be moved inside the tube and simultaneously emit ultraviolet light through its walls and at its distal end into the interior of the contaminated tube. A flush of sterile fluid from an open end of the liquid light guide removes debris and micro-organism detached from the inner surface during light exposure. The sterile fluid can be a high refractive index ionic solution promoting light propagation.

Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting contaminated tube lumens are described herein. One system includes an ultraviolet light source and a sterile fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to a liquid light guide. The system is configured to allow simultaneous access and propagation of ultraviolet light and fluid in a tube having a lumen to be cleaned and disinfected. The light guide can be moved inside the tube and simultaneously emit ultraviolet light through its walls and at its distal end into the interior of the contaminated tube. A flush of sterile fluid from an open end of the liquid light guide removes debris and micro-organism detached from the inner surface during light exposure. The sterile fluid can be a high refractive index ionic solution promoting light propagation.

An optical component for a broadband radiation source device, the optical component configured for generating a broadband output upon receiving pump radiation and including: a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF); and a gas mixture filling the HC-PCF, wherein the gas mixture includes a mixture of at least one first gas configured for the generation of the broadband radiation and at least one second gas including or consisting of helium.

An optical component for a broadband radiation source device, the optical component configured for generating a broadband output upon receiving pump radiation and including: a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF); and a gas mixture filling the HC-PCF, wherein the gas mixture includes a mixture of at least one first gas configured for the generation of the broadband radiation and at least one second gas including or consisting of helium.

A method of processing an out-coupling end of a hollow core fiber including a plurality of anti-resonance elements surrounding a hollow core, and a hollow core fiber having been so processed. The method may include performing a tapering step to form a taper in the anti-resonance elements; performing a cleaving step at the taper to form at least one tapered out-coupling end of the hollow core fiber; and performing an end processing step including further heating the out-coupling end in a controlled manner to smoothen the out-coupling end.

Disclosed is an optical waveguide, for transmitting a guided optical light beam having a wavelength >180 nm, including a core for guiding light made of a first material having a first index of refraction, and a cladding including a thermoplastic elastomer, the innermost layer of the cladding having a refractive index smaller than the refractive index of the outermost layer of the core. Also disclosed is a medical device and waveguide sensors including the optical waveguide, as well as a method of fabrication of the optical waveguide. The method is based on the realisation of a full thermoplastic elastomer preform or a preform having a central aperture. Before or after elongating the preform to a predetermined length and a predetermined lateral dimension, the core of the preform is filled and hardened so as to provide such optical waveguide. Also described is a 3D printing method to realize the preform.

A flow cell and a liquid chromatographic unit are provided. The flow cell includes a housing, a cell core, a liquid-core waveguide, an inlet connection assembly and an outlet connection assembly. The cell core is provided in the housing, and is provided with a liquid feed recess, a liquid channel and a liquid discharge recess therein. The liquid-core waveguide is provided in the liquid channel. The inlet connection assembly is provided at an end of the cell core, and includes an inlet press block, a liquid feed tube, and a light entering tube. The outlet connection assembly is arranged at another end of the cell core and is provided with a light exit hole.

A gas detector sensor node includes a first sensor conductor having a terminal end, a second sensor conductor including an end section, and a coupler joining the terminal end of the first sensor conductor with the end section of the second sensor conductor. The coupler is permeable to gas.

Fiber optic cables with improved performance for use in distributed sensing, for instance in distributed acoustic sensors, are disclosed. In one embodiment a fiber optic cable (210) comprises a core (208) and cladding (206) disposed within a buffer material (202) surrounded by a jacket (204) and arranged so that the core is offset from the center of the cable. By offsetting the core from the center of the jacket any bending effects on the core can be maximized compared to the core being located at the center of the cable.