# US 2019/0170324 A1 · Light Directing Element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170324 A1 - Document ID: US20190170324A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/022,440 - Filed: 2018-06-28 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05 - Assignees: Vital Vio, Inc. - Applicants: Vital Vio, Inc. - Inventors: Nicholas Jones; Aram Kuzmak; Cori Winslow; Robert Barron - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170324A1 ## CPC - F21V 7/0025: {Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source (array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083)} - A61L 2/084: Visible light - A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation - E05B 1/0069: {Sanitary doorknobs or handles, e.g. comprising a disinfectant} - E05B 1/0084: {Handles or knobs with displays, signs, labels pictures, or the like (displays on locks E05B17/226; displays on keys E05B19/0088)} - E05B 17/10: Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; {Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights} - F21K 9/61: using light guides - F21V 7/041: {with conical or pyramidal surface} - F21V 13/04: the elements being reflectors and refractors {(for vehicle rear lights F21S43/40)} - G02B 6/0006: {Coupling light into the fibre (in general G02B6/4298)} - G02B 6/001: {the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre} - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - 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 Light directing elements, methods, and systems are disclosed. An example light directing element may comprise an elongated body having a first end, a second end and an exterior surface, the elongated body being transparent or translucent to permit transmission of light axially and radially therethrough, a light emitter disposed at the first end of the elongated body, and a diffuser including at least one reflective element disposed within the elongated body, wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect axially emitted light from the light emitter radially towards the exterior surface and wherein the diffuser expands in cross-section towards the second end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light directing element comprising: an elongated body having a first end, a second end and an exterior surface, the elongated body being transparent or translucent to permit transmission of light axially and radially therethrough; a light emitter disposed at the first end of the elongated body; a diffuser including at least one reflective element disposed within the elongated body, wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect axially emitted light from the light emitter radially towards the exterior surface and wherein the diffuser expands in cross-section towards the second end; a first end cap disposed at, and configured to surround, the first end of the elongated body; and a second end cap disposed at, and configured to surround, the second end of the elongated body; wherein the first end cap and the second end cap support the elongated body a distance from an adjacent structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light directing element of claim 1, further comprises: a second light emitter disposed at the second end of the elongated body; and a second diffuser configured to redirect axially emitted light from the second light emitter radially towards the exterior surface, wherein the second diffuser expands in cross-section towards the first end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The light directing element of claim 2, wherein the diffuser and the second diffuser contact centrally between the first end and the second end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The light directing element of claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a conical shape that terminates a distance from the exterior surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The light directing element of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitter comprises disinfecting light with a wavelength in a range of 380 to 420 nanometers and wherein the diffuser is configured to redirect the portion of the light toward the exterior surface with a substantially uniform irradiance at least 0.02 milliWatts per square centimeter (0.02 mW/cm2) across an entire area of the exterior surface. ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (canceled) ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light directing element of claim 1, further comprising a beam collimator surrounding the light emitter and disposed within the elongated body. ### Claim 9 A light directing element comprising: a transparent or translucent body having a first end, a second end and an exterior surface; and a diffuser disposed within the transparent or translucent body and expanding in cross-section towards the second end, wherein: the diffuser comprises at least one reflective element configured to redirect light axially transmitted from the first end radially towards the exterior surface; at least a portion of the light comprises disinfecting light with a wavelength in a range of 380 to 420 nanometers; and the diffuser is configured to redirect the at least the portion of light toward the exterior surface with a substantially uniform irradiance at least 0.02 milliWatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2) across an area of the exterior surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The light directing element of claim 9, further comprising: a second diffuser configured to redirect light axially transmitted from the second end radially towards the exterior surface, wherein the second diffuser expands in cross-section towards the first end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The light directing element of claim 10, wherein the diffuser and the second diffuser contact centrally between the first end and the second end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The light directing element of claim 9, wherein the diffuser comprises a conical shape that terminates a distance from the exterior surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The light directing element of claim 9, wherein the diffuser comprises an axially enlarging array of reflective elements. ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The light directing element of claim 9, further comprising a light emitter comprising one or more of electroluminescent light emitters, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or lasers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The light directing element of claim 15, further comprising a beam collimator surrounding the light emitter and disposed within the transparent or translucent body. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: creating a conically shaped diffuser comprising at least one alignment pin; inserting the at least one alignment pin into a first plate; inserting a tube into the first plate and surrounding the conically shaped diffuser; and filling the tube with material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: creating a second conically shaped diffuser comprising at least one second alignment pin; inserting the at least one second alignment pin into a second plate; and clamping the tube between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: coating the conically shaped diffuser with reflective material. ### Claim 20 A system comprising: a first light emitting element comprising a first diffuser, wherein the first diffuser expands in cross-section towards a first end of the first light emitting element and wherein the first diffuser comprises at least one reflective element configured to redirect light axially transmitted from a second end of the first light emitting element radially towards an exterior surface of the first light emitting element; a second light emitting element comprising a second diffuser, wherein the second diffuser expands in cross-section towards a first end of the second light emitting element and wherein the second diffuser comprises at least one reflective element configured to redirect light axially transmitted from a second end of the second light emitting element radially towards an exterior surface of the second light emitting element; and an end cap disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element.