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Abstract

A light diffuser tip for use with an optical fiber. The diffuser tip is affixed to an optical fiber and comprises an optically transparent elastomer core positioned to receive light from the output terminus of the optical fiber. The concentration of scattering centers embedded in the transparent elastomer core varies along the length of the core to yield a particular light distribution pattern. For example, the scattering centers may be distributed within an optically transparent elastomeric core material such as silicone to provide a scatterer density gradient along the diffuser tip in the axial direction of the optical fiber. A diffuser tip which provides uniform cylindrical light output intensity in air will provide a different output intensity distribution in a medium with a different index of refraction such as human tissue. The distribution of scattering centers within the transparent core of the diffuser tip can be customized to provide a substantially uniform radiance along the length of the diffuser tip when the tip is embedded within a medium having an index of refraction different from air. Such a custom diffuser tip is particularly useful for laser radiation treatment of tumors. Similarly, the concentration gradient of scatterers within the transparent core of the diffuser tip can be adjusted to provide an output light intensity distribution which will uniformly illuminate the wall of an irregular cavity.

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First Claim