US5946441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light-diffusing device for an optical fiber, methods of producing and using same, and apparatus for diffusing light from an optical fiber
Assignee: Indigo Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-17
•
Granted: 1999-08-31
•
Expires: 2017-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A diffusing tip is provided for diffusing light from a light-emitting end of an optical fiber in a radial distribution pattern relative to the axis of the tip and along a length of the tip. The tip has an inner core and an outer covering which define a light guide. The outer covering is modified on its interior surface adjacent to the core such that light transmitted down the light guide is removed from the core upon encountering a surface modification on the interior surface. The light so removed is transmitted to the outer surface along the length of the tip, where it can be used to irradiate a selected object or material. The diffusing tip preferably provides light in a substantially uniform intensity distribution for the substantially uniform irradiation of a selected object or material.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor C. Esch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:59
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0008; G02B6/24; G02B6/241; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2261; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for diffusing light supplied thereto by an optical fiber, comprising: an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the end of said optical fiber; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for diffusing light supplied thereto by an optical fiber, comprising: an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the end of said optical fiber; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein along a length of said first material, said first material has an index of refraction that is greater than that of said second material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said first material has an index of refraction from about 1.4 to about 1.8.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said second material has an index of refraction from about 1.3 to about 1.4.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said first material is silicone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said second material is a fluoropolymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said second material is impregnated with BaSO 4 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the internal surface of said second material is abraded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the internal surface of said second material is increasingly abraded along a length thereof towards a distal end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein light is transmitted in a preselected direction relative to the outside surface of said second material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the preselected direction is azimuthal with respect to the outside surface of said second material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the preselected direction is along a length of the outside surface of said second material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein light is transmitted in a substantially uniform intensity profile along a length of the outside surface of said second material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said second material forms a tip at a distal end thereof, said tip facilitating placement of the second material into a material selected for receiving light therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a tip attached to said second material at a distal end thereof, said tip facilitating placement of the second material into a material selected for receiving light therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 14 or 15 wherein said tip is adapted for puncturing the selected material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1 wherein an exposed core of said optical fiber extends a distance into said first material and said first material and the core are selected such that when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, light is transmissible from the core to the first material along that distance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said first material has an index of refraction that is equal to or greater than that of the core along the distance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said first material has an index of refraction from about 1.4 to 1.8.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the core has an index of refraction from about 1.4 to about 1.7.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said first material is silicone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the core is glass.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first material has a light scatterer disposed in a distal end portion thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 23 wherein the light scatterer is selected from a group consisting of aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide and diamond powder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first material has a temperature sensor disposed in a distal end portion thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first material has a temperature sensor disposed along a length thereof adjacent to the internal surface of said second material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 25 or 26 wherein the temperature sensor is an optical temperature sensor.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for diffusing light from an optical fiber, comprising: a source of light energy; an optical fiber having a proximal end, optically coupled to said source, and a light-transmitting distal end, said optical fiber carrying light energy from the proximal end to the distal end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the distal end of said optical fiber; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the proximal end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for diffusing light from an optical fiber, comprising: a source of light energy; an optical fiber having a proximal end, optically coupled to said source, and a light-transmitting distal end, said optical fiber carrying light energy from the proximal end to the distal end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the distal end of said optical fiber; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the proximal end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the internal surface of said second material is abraded.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the internal surface of said second material is increasingly abraded along a length thereof towards a distal end thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein light is transmitted in a preselected direction relative to the outside surface of said second material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein light is transmitted in a substantially uniform intensity profile along a length of the outside surface of said second material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a tip at a distal end of said second material, said tip adapted for puncturing a material into which the second material is to be inserted.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein an exposed core of said optical fiber extends a distance into said first material and said first material and the core are selected such that when light is transmitted from the distal end of the optical fiber to the first material, the light is transmissible from the core to the first material along that distance.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said source of light energy is a laser.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of producing a light-diffusing tip for an optical fiber, comprising: (a) providing an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; (b) providing a first light-transmissive material as a fluid which solidifies upon sufficient heat treatment; (c) providing a tip of a second light-transmissive material, the first and second materials defining a light guide when the first material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the end of the optical fiber, the second material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the first material, and light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material; (d) modifying an internal surface of the tip; (e) after (d), filling the tip with the first material; (f) after (d), placing the end of the optical fiber in the tip; (g) after (e) and (f), heat treating the tip sufficiently to solidify the first material.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of producing a light-diffusing tip for an optical fiber, comprising: (a) providing an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; (b) providing a first light-transmissive material as a fluid which solidifies upon sufficient heat treatment; (c) providing a tip of a second light-transmissive material, the first and second materials defining a light guide when the first material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the end of the optical fiber, the second material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the first material, and light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material; (d) modifying an internal surface of the tip; (e) after (d), filling the tip with the first material; (f) after (d), placing the end of the optical fiber in the tip; (g) after (e) and (f), heat treating the tip sufficiently to solidify the first material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said tip providing includes providing a tip with a pointed end.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said tip providing includes molding the tip to form the pointed end.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said modifying of the internal surface includes abrading the internal surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the abrading includes increasingly abrading the internal surface of the tip from a proximal end to a distal end thereof.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the abrading includes rotating a brush within the tip such that bristles of the brush abrade the internal surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the abrading includes rotating a drill bit within the tip such that the bit abrades the internal surface.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the first material is silicone.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the second material is a fluoropolymer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said providing of the optical fiber includes exposing the core at the end of the optical fiber, the first material and the core selected such that when the first material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the core and light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, light is transmissible from the core to the first material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the first material is silicone and the core is glass.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the first material includes a first portion, which has a light-scattering material dispersed therein, and a second portion, wherein the second portion and the second material define the light guide when the second portion is circumferentially surrounded by the second material, and wherein said filling of the tip includes filling a distal end portion of the tip with the first portion prior to filling a remaining portion of the tip with the second portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 47 further comprising heat treating the tip sufficiently to solidify the first portion prior to said placing of the end of the optical fiber.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 47 wherein the first and second portions are silicone and the scattering material is selected from a group consisting of aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide and diamond powder.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising placing a temperature sensor in the tip prior to said heat treating of the tip.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said providing of the tip includes providing a pointed portion at a distal end thereof.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said providing of the tip includes providing a puncturing device at a distal end thereof.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of delivering light energy to a selected material, comprising: providing a source of light energy; providing an optical fiber having a proximal end, optically coupled to said source, and a light-transmitting distal end, the optical fiber carrying light energy from the proximal end to the distal end; providing a tip comprising an inner portion which abuts the distal end of the optical fiber and circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the optical fiber, and an outer portion which abuts and circumferentially surrounds the inner portion, the inner and outer portions being of a light-transmissive first material and a light-transmissive second material, respectively, which define a light guide when light is transmitted from the distal end of the optical fiber to the inner portion, the outer portion having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to a light-emitting portion of an outside surface along a length of the outer portion; and irradiating a selected material with light from the light-emitting portion of the tip.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of delivering light energy to a selected material, comprising: providing a source of light energy; providing an optical fiber having a proximal end, optically coupled to said source, and a light-transmitting distal end, the optical fiber carrying light energy from the proximal end to the distal end; providing a tip comprising an inner portion which abuts the distal end of the optical fiber and circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the optical fiber, and an outer portion which abuts and circumferentially surrounds the inner portion, the inner and outer portions being of a light-transmissive first material and a light-transmissive second material, respectively, which define a light guide when light is transmitted from the distal end of the optical fiber to the inner portion, the outer portion having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to a light-emitting portion of an outside surface along a length of the outer portion; and irradiating a selected material with light from the light-emitting portion of the tip.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the light-emitting portion transmits light in a substantially uniform intensity profile along a length thereof.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 54 wherein the selected material is annular and said irradiating illuminates an annulus thereof.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 54 wherein the selected material is volumetric and said irradiating heats a volume thereof.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 54 wherein the selected material is volumetric and said irradiating irradiates a volume thereof with photons.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 54 wherein the selected material is bodily tissue.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 58 further comprising inserting the tip into the tissue, wherein said irradiating includes irradiating the tissue sufficiently to necrose a volume thereof.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the tissue is tumorous.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the tissue is prostatic.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the tissue is affected by benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 62 further comprising inserting the tip into a lobe of a prostate, wherein said irradiating includes irradiating the tissue sufficiently to necrose a volume thereof.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for diffusing light supplied thereto by an optical fiber, comprising: an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the end of said optical fiber, said first material having a temperature sensor disposed in a distal end portion thereof; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for diffusing light supplied thereto by an optical fiber, comprising: an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the end of said optical fiber, said first material having a temperature sensor disposed in a distal end portion thereof; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for diffusing light supplied thereto by an optical fiber, comprising: an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the end of said optical fiber; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material, and said first material having a temperature sensor disposed along a length thereof adjacent to the internal surface of said second material.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for diffusing light supplied thereto by an optical fiber, comprising: an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; a light-transmissive first material abutting and circumferentially surrounding the end of said optical fiber; and a light-transmissive second material abutting and circumferentially surrounding said first material, said first and second materials defining a light guide when light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material, said second material having an internal surface modified sufficiently to transmit light travelling along the light guide to an outside surface along a length of said second material, and said first material having a temperature sensor disposed along a length thereof adjacent to the internal surface of said second material.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 64 or 65 wherein the temperature sensor is an optical temperature sensor.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of producing a light-diffusing tip for an optical fiber, comprising: (a) providing an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; (b) providing a first light-transmissive material as a fluid which solidifies upon sufficient heat treatment; (c) providing a tip of a second light-transmissive material, the first and second materials defining a light guide when the first material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the end of the optical fiber, the second material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the first material, and light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material; (d) modifying an internal surface of the tip; (e) placing a temperature sensor in the tip; (f) after (d), filling the tip with the first material; (g) after (d), placing the end of the optical fiber in the tip; and (h) after (f) and (g), heat treating the tip sufficiently to solidify the first material.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of producing a light-diffusing tip for an optical fiber, comprising: (a) providing an optical fiber having a light-transmitting end; (b) providing a first light-transmissive material as a fluid which solidifies upon sufficient heat treatment; (c) providing a tip of a second light-transmissive material, the first and second materials defining a light guide when the first material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the end of the optical fiber, the second material abuts and circumferentially surrounds the first material, and light is transmitted from the end of the optical fiber to the first material; (d) modifying an internal surface of the tip; (e) placing a temperature sensor in the tip; (f) after (d), filling the tip with the first material; (g) after (d), placing the end of the optical fiber in the tip; and (h) after (f) and (g), heat treating the tip sufficiently to solidify the first material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |