# US 12,007,096 B2 · Illumination systems with optical waveguide having diffuser elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,096 B2 - Document ID: US12007096B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/841,604 - Filed: 2022-06-15 - Published: 2022-12-15 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-15 - Assignees: Schott AG - Applicants: Schott AG - Inventors: Bernd Schultheis; Christian Henn; Tobias Klink; Oliver Keiper; Hubertus Russert - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007096B2 ## CPC - A61N 5/0601: {Apparatus for use inside the body} - F21V 13/04: the elements being reflectors and refractors {(for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40)} - A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/6852: {Catheters} - A61B 18/22: the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; {Couplings or} hand-pieces therefor - A61N 5/062: {Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent} - A61N 5/067: using laser light - F21V 3/0615: {the material diffusing light, e.g. translucent glass} - F21V 7/0066: {specially adapted to cooperate with point like light sources; specially adapted to cooperate with light sources the shape of which is unspecified (F21V7/16 - F21V7/30 take precedence)} - G02B 6/001: {the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre} - G02B 6/02: Optical fibres with cladding {with or without a coating} - G02B 6/241: {Light guide terminations} - A61B 2018/2244: {Features of optical fibre cables, e.g. claddings} - A61B 2018/2261: {with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light} - A61B 2018/2272: {with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam (A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence)} - A61B 2090/306: {using optical fibres} - A61B 2560/06: Accessories for medical measuring apparatus - A61N 2005/0602: {for treatment of blood vessels} - A61N 2005/0606: {Mouth} - A61N 2005/063: {comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres} - A61N 2005/0665: {Reflectors} - F21V 2200/13: the light being emitted at the end of the guide - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system is provided. The system includes a light source, an optical waveguide, and an optical element in the form of a diffuser element. The optical waveguide has a first end that is connectable or assignable to the light source and the diffuser element is arranged at a second end of the optical waveguide so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element. The optical element has a lateral surface covered by a reflector layer at least in a section thereof. The reflector layer includes a mirror layer. The optical element has a light-reflecting area covered by the reflector layer and a light-transmissive area that is free of the reflector layer. Thus, light injected into the optical element is reflected on the light-reflecting area and emitted from the light-transmissive area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system, comprising: a light source; an optical waveguide having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximal end is connectable or assignable to the light source; and an optical element arranged at the distal end so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element, the optical element defining a longitudinal axis (L) and having a lateral surface extending around the longitudinal axis, wherein the lateral surface is at least in a section covered by a reflector layer, wherein the reflector layer comprises a mirror layer and the optical element comprises a light-reflecting area covered by the reflector layer, the optical element further comprising a light-transmissive area that remains free of the reflector layer so that the light injected into the optical element is reflected at the light-reflecting area and is emitted from the light-transmissive area, wherein the reflector layer exhibits a reflectance of more than 90% for at least one wavelength range. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the optical element is a diffuser element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured to emit light transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the optical element and laterally over an active length of the optical element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a maximum reflectance of greater than 95% for perpendicular incidence of light to the reflector layer, wherein the reflectance is selectively adjustable to a predefined wavelength of the light or in a predetermined range around a main wavelength of the light. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein, for a light incidence angle of greater than 45° with respect to a perpendicular to the reflector layer, the reflectance of the reflector layer is more than 50% of the reflectance at perpendicular incidence of light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein, for a light incidence angle of greater than 80° with respect to a perpendicular to the reflector layer, the reflectance of the reflector layer is more than 90% of the reflectance at perpendicular incidence of light. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the diffuser element has an area not covered by the reflector layer, wherein the area extends along the longitudinal extension of the diffuser element and is light-transmissive so that light carried through the diffuser element is emitted in a strip-like shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the mirror layer comprises or is made of a metallic layer having a metal selected from a group consisting of noble metals, Mg, Al, Cu, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the reflector layer further comprises a feature selected from a group consisting of: a lower layer disposed below the mirror layer, an upper layer disposed above the mirror layer, an adhesion layer disposed below the mirror layer, an adhesion promoting layer disposed below the mirror layer, a layer portion on the diffuser base body that has chemically and/or physically modified surface properties, a layer on the optical element that has a chemically and/or physically modified surface property, and a near surface zone of the optical element that has a chemically and/or physically modified surface property. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the mirror layer or the reflector layer comprise scattering centers or comprises a layer that comprises scattering centers, wherein the light is reflected diffusely at the scattering centers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The illumination system of claim 10, wherein the mirror layer or the reflector layer comprise a metal or a chemical metal compound, wherein the light is reflected in a directed manner on the metal or chemical metal compound. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the reflector layer is arranged at the distal end of the diffuser element and/or at least partially encloses the diffuser element laterally. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the diffuser element comprises scattering elements in a matrix of the diffuser element, and/or wherein the matrix of the diffuser element is laterally enclosed by a material that includes scattering elements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the scattering elements comprise white glass rods enclosed by a cladding tube made of borosilicate glass. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the diffuser element comprises glass selected from a group consisting of: borosilicate glass, phosphate crown glass, lead silicate glass, tin silicate glass, and alkali zinc glass. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the diffuser element is structured at least partially or in sections of a volume and/or a surface; or wherein the diffuser element comprises a jacket formed of a material selected from a group consisting of: colored glass, colorless glass, transparent glass, and colored plastics material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the illumination system is configured for a use selected from a group consisting of: a component of a device for a medical therapy method, a component of a device for photodynamic therapy (PDT), a component of a device for photoimmunotherapy (PIT) for tumor treatment, a component of a device for endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for the treatment of varicose veins, a component of a device for laser-induced interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), a component of a device for dental medicine, a component of a device for ophthalmology, a component of a device for dermatology, a component of a device for selective illumination of cavities, and a component of a device for irradiation of in-vitro diagnostic samples. ### Claim 18 An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system, comprising: a light source; an optical waveguide having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximal end is connectable or assignable to the light source; and an optical element arranged at the distal end so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element, the optical element having a lateral surface with at least in a section that is covered by a reflector layer, wherein the reflector layer comprises a mirror layer and the optical element comprises a light-reflecting area covered by the reflector layer, the optical element further comprising a light-transmissive area that remains free of the reflector layer so that the light injected into the optical element is reflected at the light-reflecting area and is emitted from the light-transmissive area, wherein the reflector layer exhibits a reflectance of more than 90% for at least one wavelength range, and wherein the reflector layer further comprises a dielectric layer disposed above and/or below the mirror layer, the dielectric layer comprising oxides, nitrides, or oxynitrides of at least one element selected from a group consisting of Si, Al, Ti, Zr, Hf, Y, and Zn. ### Claim 19 An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system, comprising: a light source; an optical waveguide having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximal end is connectable or assignable to the light source; and an optical element arranged at the distal end so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element, the optical element having a lateral surface with at least in a section that is covered by a reflector layer, wherein the reflector layer comprises a mirror layer and the optical element comprises a light-reflecting area covered by the reflector layer, the optical element further comprising a light-transmissive area that remains free of the reflector layer so that the light injected into the optical element is reflected at the light-reflecting area and is emitted from the light-transmissive area, wherein the reflector layer exhibits a reflectance of more than 90% for at least one wavelength range, and wherein the mirror layer or the reflector layer is a dielectric multilayer system comprising a sequence of low-index and high-index metal oxides and/or metal nitrites. ### Claim 20 A method for producing an illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system, for use on living tissue, comprising: connecting or assigning a light source to a proximal end of an optical waveguide; providing an optical element in the form of a diffuser element defining a longitudinal axis and having a lateral surface extending around the longitudinal axis; arranging the optical element at a distal end of the optical waveguide so that light from the optical waveguide is injected into the optical element; and covering at least part of the lateral surface with a light-reflecting reflector layer so that the optical element comprises a light-reflecting area that is covered by the reflector layer and a light-transmissive area that remains free of the reflector layer so that light to be emitted by the optical element is at least partially reflected and light is selectively emitted from the light-transmissive area, wherein the reflector layer exhibits a reflectance of more than 90% for at least one wavelength range.