Therapeutic light delivery apparatus, method, and system

摘要

An optical delivery apparatus is disclosed including: an optical fiber extending between a distal end having a distal end face and a proximal end having a proximal end face, an optical element positioned to receive the light emitted from the distal end face and direct the light to an illumination region; and a non-metallic housing containing the optical fiber and the optical element and maintaining the relative position of the optical fiber and the optical element.

主权项

1. An optical delivery apparatus comprising:
an optical fiber extending between a distal end having a distal end face and a proximal end having a proximal end face, said fiber configured to receive light from at least one source at the proximal end face, transmit the light from the proximal end to the distal end, and emit the light from the distal end face; and an optical element positioned to receive the light emitted from the distal end face and direct the light to an illumination region; wherein the optical element comprises a diffuser tip assembly adapted to receive the distal end of optical fiber, the assembly comprising:
a reflective cavity comprising:
a first reflector positioned proximal the distal end of the received fiber and comprising an aperture adapted to admit light emitted from the fiber into the cavity; anda second reflector positioned distal the first reflector; anda diffuser tube positioned between the first and second reflectors about a cavity axis extending from the first reflector to the second reflector, the diffuser tube comprising an inner void surrounded by an outer portion comprising a diffusive scattering material; wherein the cavity and diffuser tube are arranged such that at least a portion of light admitted into the cavity is scattered by the diffusive scattering material out of the tip assembly through the outer portion in a direction transverse to the cavity axis.