Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device (140) shaped to define (a) at least two artery-contact regions (142), the artery-contact regions comprising struts (146) that are configured to stretch an arterial wall by applying pressure to the arterial wall, and (b) at least two crimping regions (144) that comprise locking mechanisms (149) configured to prevent the crimping regions from becoming crimped due to pressure from the wall of the artery on the artery-contact regions. The crimping regions are configured to be crimped during insertion of the device, via a catheter, by the locking mechanisms being unlocked during insertion of the device. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods that include guiding radiation at a first wavelength, ?1, through a core of a photonic crystal fiber and guiding radiation at a second wavelength, ?2, through the photonic crystal fiber, wherein |? 1 - ? 2| > 100 nm.
Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the invention features systems, including a photonic crystal fiber including a core extending along a waveguide axis and a dielectric confinement region surrounding the core, the dielectric confinement region being configured to guide radiation along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the photonic crystal fiber. The systems also includes a handpiece attached to the photonic crystal fiber, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient.
Abstract:
High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device (140) shaped to define (a) at least two artery-contact regions (142), the artery-contact regions comprising struts (146) that are configured to stretch an arterial wall by applying pressure to the arterial wall, and (b) at least two crimping regions (144) that comprise locking mechanisms (149) configured to prevent the crimping regions from becoming crimped due to pressure from the wall of the artery on the artery-contact regions. The crimping regions are configured to be crimped during insertion of the device, via a catheter, by the locking mechanisms being unlocked during insertion of the device. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for reducing hypertension of a subject. A selective circumferential pressure applicator (60) includes at least two surfaces (61) that increase baroreceptor activity of the subject, by applying pressure to an artery (20) of the subject at two or more respective non-contiguous regions around the circumference of the artery, at a longitudinal site of the artery, such that between the non-contiguous regions, at the longitudinal site (a) there is at least one region (22) of the artery that is more relaxed than in the absence of the device, and (b) there is at least one region (21) of the artery that is more tense than in the absence of the device. A joint (63) couples the surfaces to each other. For at least a portion of the subject's cardiac cycle, the joint does not to contact the subject's artery. Other applications are also provided.
Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods that include guiding radiation at a first wavelength, λ1, through a core of a photonic crystal fiber and guiding radiation at a second wavelength, λ2, through the photonic crystal fiber, wherein |λ 1 - λ 2| > 100 nm.
Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus that includes a photonic crystal fiber (200, 900) configured to guide a mode of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength, λ, along a waveguide axis. The fiber includes a core (210) extending along the waveguide axis, and a confinement region (220, 910) extending along the waveguide axis and surrounding the core (210). The confinement region (220, 910) includes alternating layers (211-219, 920-922) of a first and a second dielectric material having thicknesses d 1 and d 2 and different refractive indices n 1 and n 2 , respectively. The thickness of at least one of the alternating layers of the first material differs from thickness d 1 QW or at least one of the alternating layers of the second material differs from thickness d 2 QW , where d 1 QW and d 2 QW correspond to a quarter-wave condition for the two dielectric materials given by Formula (I) and Formula (II), respectively. The photonic crystal fiber has an attenuation for the guided mode at the wavelength λ that is reduced by a factor of about two or more relative to an attenuation for a reference fiber that is identical to the photonic crystal fiber except that the reference fiber has alternating layer thicknesses corresponding to the quarter-wave condition.
Abstract:
An optical waveguide (100) including: a dielectric core region (110) extending along a waveguide axis; and a dielectric confinement region (120) surrounding the core (110) about the waveguide axis, the confinement region (120) comprising a photonic crystal structure (122, 124) having a photonic band gap, wherein during operation the confinement region (120) guides EM radiation in at least a first range of frequencies to propagate along the waveguide axis, wherein the core (110) has an average refractive index smaller than about 1.3 for a frequency in the first range of frequencies, and wherein the core (110) has a diameter in a range between about 4 lambda and 80 lambda , wherein lambda is a wavelength corresponding to a central frequency in the first frequency range.
Abstract:
An optical waveguide including: a dielectric core region extending along a waveguide axis; and a dielectric confinement region surrounding the core about the waveguide axis, the confinement region comprising a photonic crystal structure having a photonic band gap, wherein during operation the confinement region guides EM radiation in at least a first range of frequencies to propagate along the waveguide axis, wherein the core has an average refractive index smaller than about 1.3 for a frequency in the first range of frequencies, and wherein the core a diameter in a range between about 4λ and 80λ, wherein λ is a wavelength corresponding to a central frequency in the first frequency range.