Provided herein are biocompatible scaffolds engineered to convey growth stimulatory light to cells and augment their growth on the scaffolds both in vitro and in vivo. Also provide are methods of modifying biocompatible transparent waveguides to control delivery of light from the waveguide material.

The present invention is a device for sterilizing microorganisms on a liquid or solid substrate. The device includes a light source for producing a light and an optical device positioned proximate the light source. The optical device is configured to focus the light generated by the light source to provide a high intensity light output. The optical device also includes a dichroic reflector. The dichroic reflector is configured to pass thermal energy generated by the light source and reflect the light produced by the light source. The device also includes a power supply, where the power supply is coupled to the light source and the optical device. The device thereby killing microbial organisms presented within the range of the high intensity light output.

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and techniques for optical detection of analytes (e.g., biomarkers or other objects) using a liquid-core waveguide in which the analytes are suspended in a high-index liquid inside a liquid channel of the waveguide. The term “high-index” may indicate a refractive core index of the carrier liquid that is higher than or equal to that of one or more surrounding cladding layer(s) (e.g., ethylene glycol liquid inside a glass channel). In some embodiments, a method includes illuminating, by a light-source, one or more particles in a liquid-core waveguide, wherein the liquid-core waveguide comprises a first cladding layer having a first index of a refraction, and a hollow core comprising a liquid inside the hollow core, wherein the liquid has a second index of refraction higher than the first index of refraction; and detecting, by a detector, light emitted from the one or more particles.

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and techniques for optical detection of analytes (e.g., biomarkers or other objects) using a liquid-core waveguide in which the analytes are suspended in a high-index liquid inside a liquid channel of the waveguide. The term “high-index” may indicate a refractive core index of the carrier liquid that is higher than or equal to that of one or more surrounding cladding layer(s) (e.g., ethylene glycol liquid inside a glass channel). In some embodiments, a method includes illuminating, by a light-source, one or more particles in a liquid-core waveguide, wherein the liquid-core waveguide comprises a first cladding layer having a first index of a refraction, and a hollow core comprising a liquid inside the hollow core, wherein the liquid has a second index of refraction higher than the first index of refraction; and detecting, by a detector, light emitted from the one or more particles.

An optical component has: a planar liquid layer; and one or more light sources arranged such that light is guided to the planar liquid layer; wherein the liquid layer is configured to guide light.

A system for polarimetric characterization of a target that includes a liquid light guide (LLG) for propagating light from a light source to the target (S) at least one of a Polarization State Analyzer (PSA) serving to analyze polarization of light having propagated into the LLG and that has been reflected by the target, and a Polarized State Generator (PSG) for modulating the polarization of light injected into the LLG, an optical detector for detecting light backscattered by the target (S) that has been illuminated by the LLG.

Configurations are disclosed for multi-wavelength optical devices and systems. In particular, multi-wavelength optical devices that include separate chips optically connected via phonic wire bonds. The disclosed configurations can utilize photonic wire bond interconnects and photonic wire bond interconnection techniques, which may facilitate low-cost implementation of wavelength division multiplexed optical systems.

The present disclosure relates to a light guiding assembly for light exposure of the interior of medical tubes, e.g. for disinfecting said tubes using ultraviolet-C (UVC) light. The light guiding assembly preferably comprises a coupling element, which in the proximal end is connectable to a light source assembly and in the distal end is connectable to a light guiding element. Said light guiding element preferably comprises a liquid filled polymer tube, a distal closure at the distal end of said tube, and a proximal closure comprising a gasket with overflow functionality at the proximal end of said tube. The present disclosure further relates to a method for filling said light guiding assembly.

Disclosed is an optical waveguide, for transmitting a guided optical light beam having a wavelength greater than 180 nm. The waveguide includes a core layer for guiding light made of a first material having a first index of refraction, and a cladding layer made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Also disclosed are: a medical device and also to a waveguide sensor including the optical waveguide of the invention; a method of fabrication of the optical waveguide. The method includes a step of providing a thermoplastic elastomer preform having a central longitudinal aperture for introducing a liquid polymer, before or after reducing and elongating the preform to a predetermined length and lateral dimension. The method includes a polymerizing step of the core of the formed optical waveguide; and use of the optical waveguide in association with a surgical instrument.

The present invention relates to a method for connecting a solid core optical fiber (2) with another optical fiber (20), wherein the solid core optical fiber (2) comprises a joining device (10), which is created on one axial end of the solid core optical fiber (2) using a 3D printer and wherein the other optical fiber (20) is incorporated in the joining device (10) via an axial end of the other optical fiber (20), which is thus connected with the solid core optical fiber (2). In addition, the invention relates to a solid core optical fiber (2) with a joining device (10) created by a 3D-printer, and the relevant use of a 3D printer.