Surgery – Instruments – Light application
Patent
1997-04-10
1999-06-01
Nasser, Robert L.
Surgery
Instruments
Light application
606 15, 606 16, A61B 1736
Patent
active
059084154
ABSTRACT:
An optical transmissive fiber tip assembly having a radiation-scattering particles incorporated therein and a reflective end surface is disclosed for use in phototherapy. As radiation propagates through the fiber tip, a portion of the radiation is scattered in a cylindrical (or partially cylindrical) pattern along the length of the fiber tip. Radiation which is not scattered during this initial pass through the tip is reflected by at least one surface of the assembly and returned through the tip. During this second pass, the remaining radiation (or at least a major portion of this returning radiation) again encounters the scatterers which provide further radial diffusion of the radiation. In one embodiment, a diffusive tip assembly is disclosed for diffusing radiation from an optical fiber. The tip assembly is adapted to receive the distal end of said fiber in order to direct the radiation outward, and includes a light transmissive tube or housing aligned with the distal end of the fiber. The tube includes a reflective end cap and a light scattering medium disposed therein such that radiation propagating through said fiber enters the scattering medium and a portion of the radiation is scattered outward through said tube, and another portion passes through the scattering medium and is reflected by the end cap for retransmission through said scattering medium. Preferably, the scattering medium and the reflective end cap interact to provide a substantially uniform axial distribution of laser radiation over the length of the tip apparatus.
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Engellenner Thomas J.
Nasser Robert L.
Rare Earth Medical, Inc.
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