Diffuser assembly for controlling a light intensity profile

Abstract

A diffusive tip assembly for controlling a light intensity profile during a medical procedure is provided. The diffusive tip assembly includes an optical fiber including a core and a diffuser tip that surrounds a distal end of the core. The diffuser tip includes multiple light directing features that are shaped and arranged in a pattern along an axial length of the diffuser tip. The light directing features are capable of directing light traveling from the core in a radial direction toward an outer surface of the diffuser tip for irradiating a material in proximity of the diffuser tip. An optical coupling material is disposed between the core and the diffuser tip. The optical coupling material and surfaces of the light directing features form boundaries upon which light rays traveling from the core are incident. The pattern of light directing features has a proximal portion, a central portion and a distal portion where a dimensional property of light directing features located at the proximal and distal regions is different than the dimensional property of light directing features located at the central region. The dimensional property is selected to provide a flattened light intensity profile during use.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.