Irradiance attachment for an optical fiber to provide a uniform level of illumination across a plane

US5519534A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Deptartment of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Paul D. Smith · Redondo Beach, US
• John W. Cole · Aliso Viejo, US
• Frank Harrington · Catonsville, US
• Eric F. Bernstein · Lansdowne, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 1994
• Grant date: May 21, 1996
• Expiry date: May 25, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S359/90
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A irradiation attachment for an optical fiber which provides an output of light that has a highly uniform intensity. The device includes a hollow spherical shell having a diffusive reflective surface or target supported therein. Light is directed into the hollow spherical shell so that it reflects off the diffusive reflective surface or target. The reflected light is internally reflected off the inner surface of the hollow spherical shell several times before passing through an output aperture. As a result of the internal reflection within the hollow spherical shell, the light leaving the device has a highly uniform intensity. The device is particularly useful for photodynamic therapy.