Loop diffusers for diffusion of optical radiation
First Claim
1. A fiber optic transmission and diffusion apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers having proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends adapted for coupling to a source of phototherapeutic radiation;
wherein each optical fiber has connected to its distal end a tip assembly for directing radiation outward, each tip assembly being arranged in a loop configuration to form a loop diffuser; and
a housing surrounding the optical fibers and each of said loop diffusers, wherein each of said loop diffusers are expandable out of and retractable back into said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for diffusing radiation from a optical fiber to provide a larger exposure area for phototherapy and to provide a substantially uniform energy distribution to a major portion of the exposure area. The invention is especially useful in constructing and implementing circumferential and/or sideways-emitting diffusive tip assemblies, or quasi-spherical diffusive tip assemblies for optical fibers to direct laser radiation in a radially outward pattern relative to the fiber'"'"'s axis. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of optically-transmissive fiber tip assemblies are employed to act as diffusers. The two or more fiber tip assemblies are deployed as loops which create a uniform illumination pattern. By "looping" or "folding" the fibers, a plurality of fibers can be deployed in conjunction with one another to create geometric exposure patterns with increased energy density while still avoiding "hot spots."
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A fiber optic transmission and diffusion apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of optical fibers having proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends adapted for coupling to a source of phototherapeutic radiation; wherein each optical fiber has connected to its distal end a tip assembly for directing radiation outward, each tip assembly being arranged in a loop configuration to form a loop diffuser; and a housing surrounding the optical fibers and each of said loop diffusers, wherein each of said loop diffusers are expandable out of and retractable back into said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fiber optic transmission apparatus comprising:
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at least one optical fiber having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end adapted for coupling to a source of phototherapeutic radiation; wherein each optical fiber has connected to its distal end a tip assembly for directing the radiation outward, the tip assembly being arranged in a loop configuration, and wherein each optical fiber is connected to a different tip assembly; wherein each tip assembly further comprises a tip enclosure containing a scattering medium further comprises a polymeric material which has light scattering particles dispersed therein; wherein the tip assembly also further comprises a reflective end cap; and a housing surrounding the at least one optical fiber and receiving the end cap, and at least a portion of each tip assembly. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of phototherapy comprising the steps of:
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placing a light diffusive assembly in proximity to a treatment site, the assembly comprising a plurality of light transmissive loop diffuser elements, each loop element further comprising a light scattering medium, such that radiation propagating through the medium is scattered outward, providing at least one source of therapeutic radiation to the diffusive assembly via an optical fiber connected to each loop element, disposing said loop elements initially in a retracted state and then redeploying them in an expanded state; and activating said radiation source to effect treatment with diffused radiation. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification