Light Diffusion Apparatus

• US 20110242302A1
• Filed: 10/01/2010
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Marceau, David P., Jacobsen, Stephen C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,717,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0242 by means of dispersed particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0247 by means of voids or pores
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133504 Diffusing, scattering, diffracting elements associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133606
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133606 including a specially adapted diffusing, scattering or light controlling members
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133607 the light controlling member including light directing or refracting elements, e.g. prisms or lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

A light diffusing composition that optimizes image clarity from a SSID comprising a translucent matrix further comprising a plurality of hollow micro-particles. The plurality of hollow micro-particles are dispersed throughout the translucent matrix and a fluid is disposed within the hollow micro-particle. A refractive index of the fluid within the hollow micro-particle is different than a refractive index of the translucent matrix.

Claims

1. A light diffusing composition, comprising:

a translucent matrix comprising a plurality of hollow micro-particles, the plurality of hollow micro-particles being dispersed throughout the translucent matrix; and

a fluid disposed within the hollow micro-particle;

wherein, a refractive index of the fluid within the hollow micro-particle is different than a refractive index of the translucent matrix.

2. The light diffusing composition of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the fluid is less than the refractive index of the translucent matrix.

3. The light diffusing composition of claim 1, wherein the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the fluid and the refractive index of the translucent matrix is greater than approximately 0.4.

4. The light diffusing composition of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the fluid is greater than 1.0.

5. The light diffusing composition of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the fluid is less than the refractive index of the hollow micro-particle.

6. The light diffusing composition of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the fluid is greater than the refractive index of the translucent matrix.

7. A light diffusing composition, comprising:

an opaque matrix comprising a plurality of hollow translucent micro-particles, the plurality of hollow translucent micro-particles being dispersed throughout the opaque matrix; and

a fluid disposed within the hollow translucent micro-particle;

wherein, a refractive index of the fluid within the hollow translucent micro-particle is different than a refractive index of the micro-particle'"'"'s shell.

8. An medical imaging device, comprising

a SSID operatively coupled to a lens system;

a light source configured to propagate light near the lens system; and

a matrix disposed on a distal end of the light source, the matrix comprising a plurality of fluid-filled compartments, wherein a refractive index of the fluid is different than a refractive index of the matrix.

9. The medical imaging device of claim 8, wherein the light source is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to an image plane of the SSID.

10. The medical imaging device of claim 8, wherein the matrix is a translucent matrix.

11. The medical imaging device of claim 8, wherein the matrix is an opaque matrix.

12. The medical imaging device of claim 10, wherein the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the fluid and the refractive index of the translucent matrix is greater than approximately 0.4.

13. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the matrix occludes the distal end of the elongated hollow member.

14. An medical imaging device, comprising

a SSID operatively coupled to a lens system;

a light source configured to propagate light near the lens system; and

a translucent matrix disposed on a distal end of the light source, the translucent matrix comprising a plurality of micro-spheres dispersed throughout the translucent matrix, the micro-spheres having a reflective outer surface.

15. A method of improving the image clarity of a miniature imaging device, comprising:

(a) providing a SSID operatively coupled to a lens system;

(b) providing a light source a light source configured to propagate light near the lens system;

(c) propagating light through a translucent matrix and onto a target surface, the translucent matrix comprising a plurality of fluid-filled compartments, wherein a refractive index of the fluid is different than a refractive index of the translucent matrix; and

(d) receiving light reflected from the target surface through the lens system and onto the SSID.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the refractive index of the fluid is less than the refractive index of the translucent matrix.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the fluid and the refractive index of the translucent matrix is greater than approximately 0.4.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the refractive index of the fluid is greater than the refractive index of the translucent matrix.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid is air.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the translucent matrix consists of a pressure sensitive adhesive or structural adhesive.

21. An medical imaging device, comprising

a SSID operatively coupled to a lens system;

a light source configured to propagate light near the lens system; and

a matrix disposed on a distal end of the light source, the matrix comprising a plurality of hollow compartments.

22. The medical imaging device of claim 21, wherein the pressure of the hollow compartment is substantially less than atmospheric pressure.