188 results about "Light delivery" patented technology

Guides for intubation which simultaneously transport fluids and light into a body site are tube-like in structure and consist of a hollow cylindrical optical core surrounded on its inner and outer walls by a cladding of lower index of refraction. Materials comprising the optical core are selected such that the optical absorption and scatter are sufficiently small to transport light efficiently over an extended distance as fluid is transferred through the tube interior. Methods of fabrication, light coupling and light delivery using waveguide tubes are disclosed. Particular applications of waveguide tubes in the medical and industrial sectors are described.

A magnetic head comprising a waveguide coupler for coupling incident electromagnetic (EM) radiation into a waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide coupler includes a bottom clad layer and a waveguide core layer formed above the bottom clad layer. An interface between the bottom clad layer and the waveguide core layer includes a first grating having a first period and a first etch depth, which are configured to couple a first portion of the incident EM radiation into the waveguide core layer. The waveguide coupler can further comprise a top clad layer formed above the waveguide core layer. An interface between the waveguide core layer and the top clad layer includes a second grating having a second period and a second etch depth. The second period and the second etch depth are configured to couple a second portion of the incident EM radiation into the waveguide core layer.

Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. In some embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system includes a light emitter in the form of an elongated light emitting blade portion extending along the length of the retractor blade. The light emitter may be coupled to a light source integral with the retractor for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the light emitter or retractor blade. In other embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

A design and a fabrication method for an intravascular imaging and therapeutic catheters for combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and for optical and / or acoustic therapy of hollow organs and diseased blood vessels and tissues are disclosed in the present invention. The invention comprises both a device—optical fiber-based intravascular catheter designs for combined IVUS / IVPA, and elasticity imaging and for acoustic and / or optical therapy—and a method of combined ultrasound, photoacoustic, and elasticity imaging and optical and / or acoustic therapy. The designs of the catheters are based on single-element catheter-based ultrasound transducers or on ultrasound array-based units coupled with optical fiber, fiber bundles or a combination thereof with specially designed light delivery systems. One approach uses the side fire fiber, similar to the one utilized for biomedical optical spectroscopy. The second catheter design uses the micro-optics in the manner of a probe for optical coherent tomography.

Methods of advancing a laser catheter across an occlusion are described. They may include the steps of advancing a guidewire through a first proximal lumen and a distal lumen of the catheter into a first region of the occlusion, retracting the guidewire from the distal lumen, and advancing a diagnostic device from a second proximal lumen of the catheter to examine the occlusion. The methods may also include retracting the diagnostic device from the distal lumen and advancing the guidewire through the distal lumen. The laser catheter may be activated to create a lumen through the occlusion.

An apparatus and method are described that uses fractional light based treatment to shrink soft tissue in the mouth or throat to reduce obstruction of the airways for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. A light delivery probe with scanning optics can be used to deliver treatment. Cooling systems can be added to reduce damage to epithelial layers of tissue. Light based treatment can be nonablative or ablative and is preferably performed with a laser.

Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. The light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

A method is disclosed for automated multiplex sequencing of DNA with an integrated automated imaging hybridization chamber system. This system comprises an hybridization chamber device for mounting a membrane containing size-fractionated multiplex sequencing reaction products, apparatus for fluid delivery to the chamber device, imaging apparatus for light delivery to the membrane and image recording of fluorescence emanating from the membrane while in the chamber device, and programmable controller apparatus for controlling operation of the system. The multiplex reaction products are hybridized with a probe, then an enzyme (such as alkaline phosphatase) is bound to a binding moiety on the probe, and a fluorogenic substrate (such as a benzothiazole derivative) is introduced into the chamber device by the fluid delivery apparatus. The enzyme converts the fluorogenic substrate into a fluorescent product which, when illuminated in the chamber device with a beam of light from the imaging apparatus, excites fluorescence of the fluorescent product to produce a pattern of hybridization. The pattern of hybridization is imaged by a CCD camera component of the imaging apparatus to obtain a series of digital signals. These signals are converted by the controller apparatus into a string of nucleotides corresponding to the nucleotide sequence an automated sequence reader. The method and apparatus are also applicable to other membrane-based applications such as colony and plaque hybridization and Southern, Northern, and Western blots.

A system for disinfecting an intravenous catheter and / or other fluidic tubing includes attaching a device around the catheter and delivering a high dose of ultraviolet or other type of radiation to the catheter connection point and adjacent tubing. The device may include a UV radiation source connected to a catheter attachment assembly via fiber optic cable, allowing transmission of UV radiation from the source to an internal reflector unit. The UV source may be built into the catheter connection assembly. The device may be a handheld device that fits over a catheter connection point, with single or multiple integrated UV sources to deliver 360 degree radiation around the catheter, with mirrors to increase light delivery. The method involves controlled exterior irradiation of a catheter connection point to disinfect the lumen via transmitted light through the catheter wall. Commercially available catheters or those specially designed for passage of radiation may be used.

A portable light delivery device for delivering light to the blood supply of a human body through a nonocular area of skin on the body includes an attachment member, a portable light delivery unit connected to the attachment member and a portable power supply. The portable light delivery unit provides one or more wavelengths of light within a specifically determined range of intensity and a specifically determined angle of illumination. A portable control unit may be included on the light delivery device for selectively controlling the light delivery unit. A programming device associated with the control unit selectively changes the programming of the controller. The light delivery device is portably secured to a region of the body having a substantial amount of blood vessels near the surface thereof to deliver light to the blood supply of the body for treating mood disorders, seasonal affective disorder and disorders involving circadian rhythm and sleep.

An apparatus comprises a moveable arm for positioning an optical transducer adjacent to a storage medium, a stationary light source, and a moveable mirror mounted at a pivot axis of the arm for reflecting light from the light source to the optical transducer. An actuator can be provided for rotating the moveable mirror through an angle of about one half of an angle of rotation of the moveable arm.

A metallic wave guide and a light delivery module are provided. The metallic waveguide includes a metal body formed of a conductive metal and having an aperture formed therethrough, the aperture having input and output ends. The aperture has a bent portion for changing a light traveling direction between the input and output ends, and a tapered portion between the bent portion and the output end. The tapered portion has a width that is gradually reduced toward the output end, and the aperture is formed in a C-shape by a ridge formed on an inner surface of the metal body.

A microstructure optical adapter or tip according to the present disclosure may incorporate precision micro structure optical components engaging the input or output end of light energy delivery devices for customized light delivery of the light energy. The incorporation of precision micro structure optical components in injection molded plastic or glass parts will allow for inexpensive modification of the output light while also serving to protect the end of the illumination device. The micro structure optical components may also be incorporated in an adapter to tailor the light energy to the subsequent device.

It has been discovered that emissive display devices can be used to provide display functionality in dynamic autostereoscopic displays. One or more emissive display devices are coupled to one or more appropriate computing devices. These computing devices control delivery of autostereoscopic image data to the emissive display devices. A lens array coupled to the emissive display devices, e.g., directly or through some light delivery device, provides appropriate conditioning of the autostereoscopic image data so that users can view dynamic autostereoscopic images.

A variably-polarizing optical probe assembly. The assembly includes an optical probe having one or more optical light delivery channels that emit incident light from the sample end of the probe toward a sample being investigated, and one or more optical light-receiving channels that receive incident light from the sample. A variably-polarizing substrate assembly is coupled to the sample end of the probe. The substrate assembly includes an optically transmitting substrate and one or more discrete polarizer areas on a face of the substrate, each such polarizer area defining a polarization orientation, with the polarizer areas together defining one or more different polarization orientations. The substrate assembly is arranged relative to the probe such that one polarizer area covers at least one light delivery channel and one polarizer area covers at least one light-receiving channel.

A suspension arm for an optical transducer comprises a load beam, a slider coupled to the load beam by a gimbal assembly and including an optical transducer positioned adjacent to an end of the slider facing a pivot point of the suspension arm, and an optical fiber for transmitting light toward the transducer, wherein an end of the optical fiber is positioned adjacent to the transducer such that light emitted from the fiber passes directly to the transducer. Disc drives that include the suspension arm, and a method of transmitting light to an optical transducer, are also included.

An optical assembly including a light management component and a light delivery component is disclosed. The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the light management component and the light delivery component.

A light delivery module, a method of fabricating the same, a heat-assisted magnetic recording head using the light delivery module are provided. The light delivery module delivers light emitted from a light source. The light delivery module includes an optical waveguide having an inclined plane of an angle Φ with respect to an incident light axis to deliver an incident light, and a nano aperture changing an energy distribution of the light delivered through the inclined plane to generate an enhanced near-field. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head is mounted on one end of a slider with an air bearing surface to perform a recording operation on a recording medium. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a magnetic path forming unit forming a magnetic field for recording, a light source emitting light for heating a predetermined region of a recording surface of the recording medium, and the light delivery module.

A light delivery module having a structure in which components can be precisely aligned and be integrated as a single unit, and a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head employing the light delivery module. The light delivery module includes: a base having a first groove; a light source mounted on the base; an optical device that is installed on the base and guides light radiated from the light source; a cover member that is bonded to the base to protect the light source and the optical device and has a second groove facing the first groove; and a nano aperture bonded in the first and second grooves to form an enhanced near-field by adjusting the distribution of the light transmitted through the optical device.

The present invention relates to the use of optical and terahertz imaging of tissue for measuring characteristics to assist in diagnosis. A light delivery and collection system is used that can aid in the detection of tumor margins, for example. A data processor processes the image data to determine characteristics of a region of tissue.

A novel algae bioreactor and biofuel production system is presented that uses an efficient distribution and delivery mechanism for light, water, nutrient, and carbon dioxide. An efficient light delivery system uses multiple LEDs at red and blue wavelengths to enhance / optimize the algal growth. In addition, multiple light rods are immerses in large and deep bioreactor to achieve even growth of algae within the tank. A novel water / nutrient / CO2 delivery and distribution system enhances CO2 retention in the culture, produces even distribution of nutrient and results in even and rapid algae growth throughout the bioreactor tank. A nutrient delivery system is disclosed based on processing of aquatic waste for superior nutrient for algal growth. The modular design of the system allows for scaling and maintenance, for continuous operation of the plant.

The present invention provides a portable photodynamic disinfection light delivery device comprising: two opposing light sources, an energy source to supply energy to the light sources, and a housing for receiving the two light sources and the energy source; wherein (i) the housing includes two members each having a clamp portion for receiving one of the two light sources and an attachment mean connecting the clamp portions; (ii) the clamp portions during photodynamic disinfection surround a catheter disinfection site; and (iii) the two light sources together provide circumferential illumination at least one wavelength that can activate at least one photosensitizer so as to reduce microbes located at the catheter disinfection site. The present invention provides a catheter disinfection method comprising: applying circumferential illumination at a wavelength that activates a photosensitizer located at a catheter disinfection site so as to reduce microbes located at the catheter disinfection site using the portable photodynamic disinfection light device described above.

A diagnostic system detects abnormal physical properties of tissue in a patient based upon optical properties of the tissue. A probe includes light delivery and capture fibers, and polarizers. Optical properties detected relate to polarized and unpolarized light into, and scattering from, the tissue. The optical properties detected are processed and analyzed to produce results indicative of the physical property(s) evaluated. System operation is controlled against pressure monitored via a pressure sensor coupled to the probe-tissue interface. The analysis corrects for patient physical characteristics as user inputs, such as menopausal or menstrual condition of women patients. Physical properties diagnosed include cervical dysplasia conditions in women patients, such as HSIL, cervical cancer, LSIL, or cervicitis. Analysis and diagnosis is based upon at least one of: ratios between scattered light signals captured from the tissue, slope of intensity over wavelength for scattered light signals captured, and hemoglobin-related parameters in the tissue.

An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus which irradiates a laser beam to a patient's eye to be treated is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first optical fiber which delivers a first laser beam emitted from a first laser source; a first light delivery optical system which forms an image of an emission end surface of the first optical fiber on the affected part of the eye in a predetermined first spot size being in a range of 50 μm to 1000 μm; a second optical fiber which delivers a second laser beam emitted from a second laser source; and a second light delivery optical system which forms an image of an emission end surface of the second optical fiber on the affected part of the eye in a predetermined second spot size in a range of 500 μm to 7000 μm.

Lighted refrigerated display case with remote light source comprises a closed container with an interior of the container refrigerated to a temperature below 7 C. The container is thermally insulated from ambient, having internal and external walls. A solid fiber optic luminaire is at least partially mounted within the container, having an elongated side-light emitting portion for emitting light from the side of the luminaire onto contents in an interior of the display case. The side-light emitting portion comprises an extractor of light arranged to preferentially extract light from the luminaire and direct the light in at least one radial direction along the length of the side-light emitting portion to at least one target area of said contents along a longitudinal axis of the side-light emitting portion. A light-delivery system provides light to the fiber optic luminaire, having a light source mounted remotely from the interior of the container.

In a method of calibrating a light delivery device (10) having a solid state light source (12), for example comprising LEDs of an LED array, and an intensity control unit (16) comprising LED array driver and a dimmer module for generating a control signal for controlling at least the intensity of the light source, the light source is temporarily connected by a light guide (24; 24, 26) to a radiometer (38) for detecting irradiance of the delivered light. The light delivery device has a memory (30) for storing control signal parameters and associated radiance levels. The light delivery device is calibrated by adjusting the control signal parameters, e.g. a PWM duty cycle of a control signal to each of a series of predetermined settings, obtaining from the radiometer a corresponding series of delivered light irradiance levels measured thereby, storing the irradiance levels and associated control signal parameters in memory, and applying a best fit algorithm to the irradiance measurements and control signal parameters. Thereafter, a desired irradiate level can be set by selecting the best fit control signal parameters, such as duty cycle of a PWM control or other parameters. Output intensity levels may be measured at the same time as the irradiance levels and used to compensate for light source output level changes when setting a desired irradiance level.

A lamp including a reflective portion is utilized in a fluid purification system to maximize the light delivery to a photocatalytic coating that oxidizes gaseous contaminants that adsorb onto the surface to form carbon dioxide, water, and other substances. An ultraviolet light source positioned proximate to the honeycomb activates the titanium dioxide coating. In one example, the reflective portion is a reflective coating. Light directed out of the non-reflective portion of the lamp travels towards the honeycomb and absorbs onto the photocatalytic coating. Light directed towards the reflective portion on the lamp is reflected off the surface of the reflective portion and passes through the non-reflective portion of the lamp to also absorb onto the photocatalytic coating. The reflective portion reflects light towards the honeycomb that would otherwise be misdirected away from the honeycomb, increasing efficiency of the fluid purification system.

An apparatus for treatment of fungal infections and / or other foot skin disorders, comprises a shoe-type housing having a substantially hollow interior forming a treatment chamber, a supporting platform disposed within the hollow chamber; so that a foot of a patient positioned within the treatment chamber is supported by the platform, so that nails are disposed at the lower level of the front part of the chamber, whereas the heel of the foot is being elevated a rear part thereof. A delivery and control assembly for the aqueous solution is provided. At least one light delivery arrangement is disposed within or in the vicinity of the treatment chamber.

A metal layer having an aperture for delivering light, a method of forming the same, a light delivery module including the metal layer having the aperture, and a heat assisted magnetic recording head including the same are provided. The aperture of the metal layer has an inlet and an outlet of different sizes, and also has curved side surfaces. Also, the light delivery module includes the metal layer at an output end thereof, and the heat assisted magnetic recording head includes the light delivery module as an optical heating unit.

The invention relates to a light delivery device comprising a conversion element and one or several LEDs, which emit light into the conversion element. The light is then converted and emitted with a high radiant flux.