A photonic antenna array includes: a plurality of tapered fiber ends; and a support plate. Each tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends corresponds to a respective fiber of a plurality of fibers. A portion of each of the plurality of fibers is run through the support plate. A fiber core diameter at a tapered end point of a respective tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends has a first diameter. A fiber core diameter at a non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The respective tapered fiber end is configured to provide a mode field diameter larger than a diameter of the non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end.

Refractory anchoring devices include a main body and a mounting feature for mounting to a thermal vessel. The main body has the shape of two end-to-end Y's forming a central segment, branch segments extending from ends of the central segment, and extension segments extending from the branch segments, to collectively form four unenclosed cell openings that are semi-hexagonally shaped. Some embodiments include reinforcement segments extending into respective cell openings, voids extending through respective adjacent branch and extension segments, an underbody gap under the central segment, a single stud-welding stud for the mounting feature, and/or a collar-and-stud connection between the anchor main body and a stud-welding stud of the mounting feature. Refractory anchoring systems and methods include an array of the refractory anchoring devices arranged and mounted so that the unenclosed semi-hexagonal cell openings of adjacent anchoring devices cooperatively form substantially hexagonal cells.

A light interference system is provided. The light interference system includes a light source configured to generate a measurement light; a fiber configured to propagate therethrough the measurement light; and a measurement device. The fiber includes a single-mode fiber, a multimode fiber and a connector connecting the single-mode fiber and the multimode fiber. A tip end of the fiber is formed of the multimode fiber, and an end surface of the tip end of the fiber is configured to emit the measurement light to a measurement target object and receive a reflection light from the measurement target object. The measurement device is configured to measure physical property of the measurement target object based on the reflection light.

A medical device that includes a carrier member, one or more operative components disposed in the carrier member, an optical fiber at least partly disposed in the carrier member, and at least one fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor array associated with the optical fiber and disposed in the carrier member. The carrier member includes an insertion end and side walls that contact the subject's body during positioning of the carrier member in the subject's body. The at least one FBG sensor array measures contact forces at one or both of the insertion end and along the side walls of the carrier member during positioning of the carrier member in the subject's body. A multi-core optical fiber configured for use in a medical device for positioning in a subject's body is also provided. A system and method for guiding positioning of a medical device in a subject's body is also provided.

Pressure sensing guidewires and methods for making and using pressure sensing guidewires are disclosed. An example pressure sensing guidewire may include a tubular member having a proximal region and a housing region. An optical fiber may be disposed within the tubular member and extend to the housing region. The optical fiber may have a distal end region with a cavity formed therein. A polymeric member disposed within the cavity. A reflective surface disposed along the polymeric member.

A fiber optic temperature probe is disclosed. The fiber optic temperature probe includes a probe shaft containing an optical fiber. An optical temperature sensor element is coupled to the probe shaft and configured to be excited by light from the optical fiber and emit light back to the optical fiber. A thermally conductive plate is coupled to the probe shaft and interfaces with the optical temperature sensor element. Baffling extends from the probe shaft and surrounds the edges of the thermally conductive plate.

Disclosed is an optical probe of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical probe of the OCT system includes: an optical fiber receiving light generated from a light source and transferring the received light to a plurality of lenses and receiving light reflected from tissue from the plurality of lenses and transferring the received light to an optical coherence system; a plurality of lenses including a first lens positioned at a distal end of the optical fiber and a second lens positioned at a predetermined point in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber; and a sheath capable of accommodating the optical fiber therein.

A hair cutting member includes an optical waveguide, a connecting member, and a bonding member. The optical waveguide includes a core and a cladding that covers at least a portion of the core. The optical waveguide is disposed so as to emit light to hair growing on a skin. The connecting member retains an end of the optical waveguide. The bonding member bonds the optical waveguide and the connecting member to each other. The core is disposed off-center toward the outer circumference of the cladding. When viewed from an end face of the connecting member, a first distance between a center of the end face and an optical axis of the core is shorter than a second distance between the center of the end face and a center of the cladding. The technology of the present disclosure makes it possible to adjust the optical system of a hair cutting device easily.

Systems for measuring a concentration of a target species include a first and second tunable diode laser generating laser light at a respective first and second wavelength each corresponding to respective absorption lines of the target species. A first optical fiber is optically coupled to the first tunable diode laser, and does not support a fundamental mode at the second wavelength. A second optical fiber is coupled to the second tunable diode laser and does not support a fundamental mode at the first wavelength. A fiber bundle includes respective distal ends of the first and second optical fibers, which are stripped of their respective coatings and arranged with their claddings adjacent to each other. A pitch head is configured to project respective optical beams from the fiber bundle through a measurement zone. A catch head located across the measurement zone receives the projected beams and directs them to a sensor.

The disclosure relates to diagnostic, surgical, and/or therapeutic devices for being introduced into the human or animal body or for in vitro examination of human or animal blood samples or other body cells, in particular to an endoscope or a disposable endoscope that includes at least one illumination light guide and/or image guide for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, the illumination light guide or image guide having a proximal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation and a distal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation. The proximal and/or distal end faces consist of plastic elements that are transparent at least partially or in sections thereof, the transparent plastic being biocompatible and/or having non-toxic properties to human or animal cell cultures for exposure durations of less than one day. This allows for the production of assemblies for disposable endoscopes, inter alia.