Apparatus for producing a spherical pattern of light and method of manufacture

• US 4,693,556 A
• Filed: 06/04/1985
• Issued: 09/15/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James S. Mccaughan Jr
• Original Assignee: Laser Therapeutics Incorporated
• Inventors: McCaughan, James S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEALY, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US06/741,144
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.10, 350/96.15, 350/96.18, 350/96.20, 350/96.24, 350/96.29, 350/96.30, 350/320, 362/32, 128/303.1, 128/362, 128/395, 128/397, 156/272.2, 156/272.8, 156/275.3, 156/275.7
• US Class Current: 427/163.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2261 with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/061 Bladder and/or urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4203 Optical features

Abstract

The present invention discloses an optical radiating apparatus constructed on one end of a light-conducting optical fiber such that, upon encountering this radiator, light is caused to leave the fiber and radiate in a spherical pattern with respect to the end of the fiber. This optical radiator is constructed such that the pattern of radiated light is nearly uniform in intensity in a spherical pattern, without areas of light intensity significantly different from the average distribution around the surface of a sphere. The present invention also discloses a method to manufacture the above-described light radiating apparatus, ensuring uniformity of light intensity and the ability to transmit relatively intense light without developing regions of optical, thermal or mechanical damage.

Claims

1. A process for manufacturing an apparatus for radiating light of sufficient intensity to cause photodynamic effects in an approximately uniform spherical pattern of approximately 4π

steradians comprising the steps of;

(a) removing the cladding and sheathing from a region at one end of an optical fiber;

(b) polishing the smooth, exposed end of the core of said optical fiber exposed by said removal of said cladding and sheathing, making a reasonably smooth, flat surface thereon;

(c) coating said exposed core and said cladding and sheathing adjacent thereto with a light-scattering medium comprising an approximately equal mixture of powdered quartz and an optical adhesive curable by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, said light-scattering medium applied so as to have uniform scattering power in a spherical pattern around said exposed core and approximately centered thereon by means of the sub-steps;

(c-i) launching laser light into said optical fiber at the end opposite that end being coated, said light being of sufficient intensity to produce visible rays emanating from the region being coated;

(c-ii) coating said exposed core region with said light-scattering medium in an approximately spherical light scattering density as determined by an observed uniform intensity in said laser light in a spherical pattern surrounding said core;

(c-iii) curing said applied coating by exposure to ultraviolet radiation;

(c-iv) applying a plurality of additional layers of said light-scattering medium by repeating sub-steps (c-ii) and (c-iii).