Diffuser assembly for controlling a light intensity profile
First Claim
1. A diffusive tip assembly for controlling a light intensity profile during a medical:
- procedure, the diffusive tip assembly comprising;
an optical fiber including a core;
a diffuser tip that surrounds a distal end of the core, the diffuser tip including multiple light directing features that are shaped and arranged in a pattern along an axial length of the diffuser tip, the light directing features capable of directing light traveling from the core in a radial direction toward an outer surface of the diffuser tip for irradiating a material in proximity of the diffuser tip; and
an optical coupling material disposed between the core and the diffuser tip, the optical coupling material and surfaces of the light directing features forming boundaries upon which light rays traveling from the core are incident;
wherein the pattern of light directing features has a proximal portion, a central portion and a distal portion;
wherein a dimensional property of light directing features located in at least one of the proximal and distal regions is different than the dimensional property of light directing features located in the central region, the dimensional property being selected to provide a flattened light intensity profile during use.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diffusive tip assembly for controlling a light intensity profile during a medical procedure is provided. The diffusive tip assembly includes an optical fiber including a core and a diffuser tip that surrounds a distal end of the core. The diffuser tip includes multiple light directing features that are shaped and arranged in a pattern along an axial length of the diffuser tip. The light directing features are capable of directing light traveling from the core in a radial direction toward an outer surface of the diffuser tip for irradiating a material in proximity of the diffuser tip. An optical coupling material is disposed between the core and the diffuser tip. The optical coupling material and surfaces of the light directing features form boundaries upon which light rays traveling from the core are incident. The pattern of light directing features has a proximal portion, a central portion and a distal portion where a dimensional property of light directing features located at the proximal and distal regions is different than the dimensional property of light directing features located at the central region. The dimensional property is selected to provide a flattened light intensity profile during use.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A diffusive tip assembly for controlling a light intensity profile during a medical:
- procedure, the diffusive tip assembly comprising;
an optical fiber including a core;
a diffuser tip that surrounds a distal end of the core, the diffuser tip including multiple light directing features that are shaped and arranged in a pattern along an axial length of the diffuser tip, the light directing features capable of directing light traveling from the core in a radial direction toward an outer surface of the diffuser tip for irradiating a material in proximity of the diffuser tip; and
an optical coupling material disposed between the core and the diffuser tip, the optical coupling material and surfaces of the light directing features forming boundaries upon which light rays traveling from the core are incident;
wherein the pattern of light directing features has a proximal portion, a central portion and a distal portion;
wherein a dimensional property of light directing features located in at least one of the proximal and distal regions is different than the dimensional property of light directing features located in the central region, the dimensional property being selected to provide a flattened light intensity profile during use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- procedure, the diffusive tip assembly comprising;
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13. A method of forming a medical device including a diffusive tip assembly, the method comprising:
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locating a core of an optical fiber within a bore defined by an inner surface of a diffuser tip; and
providing the diffuser tip with multiple light directing features as shaped recesses arranged in a pattern along an axial length of the diffuser tip, the light directing features capable of directing light traveling from the core in a radial direction toward an outer surface of the diffuser tip for irradiating a material in proximity of the diffuser tip, the pattern of light directing features having a proximal portion, a central portion and a distal portion, wherein a dimensional property of light directing features located in at least one of the proximal and distal regions is different than the dimensional property of light directing features located in the central region, the dimensional property being selected to provide a flattened light intensity profile during use. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification