Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.

Wavien, Inc.

Douglas M Brenner

Kenneth K Li

Chingfa Chen

Glenn S Baker

Karlheinz Strobl

Robert L Piccioni

Robert Fischer

Michael Thomas

Zafirios Gourgouliatos

Fred P Paulino

Wayne Smith

Steven Murray

Richard B Davies

The power handling capability of polymer fibers is increased by broadening an input intensity profile, which is typically Gaussian, without significantly decreasing the efficiency of coupling light into a polymer fiber. The method for increasing the power handling capability of polymer fibers includes the steps of: a) emitting light having a Gaussian intensity profile from a fiber light source; b) broadening the Gaussian intensity profile so that energy at the center of the Gaussian intensity profile is distributed to the perimeter to reduce the peak power intensity of the emitted light before it is launched into the polymer fiber; c) transmitting the emitted light into at least one polymer fiber. Preferably, a fused bundle is used to broaden the intensity profile and preferably the fused bundle has an angled input end face. As a result, more total power can be coupled into the polymer fiber while keeping below the melting threshold caused by the light absorption&mdash;enabling, for example, power in excess of 1 Watt to be transmitted through a 1-mm diameter PMMA fiber.

Method and apparatus for improving power handling capabilities of polymer fibers

An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target. In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is directed to devices in which the square of the off-axis distance divided by the radius of curvature is equal to or less than the extent of the source of electromagnetic radiation (y,/r&lE;s,).

Concentrating and collecting optical system using concave toroidal reflectors

A surgical tool with surgical field illuminator includes a light-conveying fiber optic member having a body portion, a light-receiving end optically connectable to a source of light, and a light-delivering end. A surgical tool can be attached to, or surround, part of the body portion of the fiber optic member, and the surgical tool can be connected to the body portion of the fiber optic member. A light-transmitting member is positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member. A light-delivering port in the surgical tool can be provided. When the light-receiving end of the fiber optic member is optically connected to the source of light, light is transmitted through the fiber optic member to the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member, and through the light-transmitting member at a light density, to illuminate a surgical region adjacent the light-transmitting member.

Surgical tool with surgical field illuminator

A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the spatial filter is composed of a fused bundle of optical fibers. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.

Apparatus and method for coupling high intensity light into low

A method and apparatus which can couple a high intensity point source, such as from a single fiber, to a fiber bundle. A bundle of fibers is fed though a hole in the light post. A removable potting compound is applied to the tip of the bundle to hold the fibers together for polishing. The tip of the bundle is polished and then the potting compound is removed from the tip of the bundle. A window is placed over a light inlet of the hole so as to seal the bundle. A point source cable introduces a point source of light to the bundle of fibers. A ferrule is provided around the point source cable, having a diameter sized corresponding to a diameter of said light post. The ferrule and the bundle of fibers are clamped with a split sleeve which extends therebetween.

Device for coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle

The power handling capability of polymer fibers is increased by broadening an input intensity profile, which is typically Gaussian, without significantly decreasing the efficiency of coupling light into a polymer fiber. The method for increasing the power handling capability of polymer fibers includes the steps of: a) emitting light having a Gaussian intensity profile from a fiber light source; b) broadening the Gaussian intensity profile so that energy at the center of the Gaussian intensity profile is distributed to the perimeter to reduce the peak power intensity of the emitted light before it is launched into the polymer fiber; c) transmitting the emitted light into at least one polymer fiber. Preferably, a fused bundle is used to broaden the intensity profile and preferably the fused bundle has an angled input end face. As a result, more total power can be coupled into the polymer fiber while keeping below the melting threshold caused by the light absorption--enabling, for example, power in excess of 1 Watt to be transmitted through a 1-mm diameter PMMA fiber.

Coupling method and apparatus for coupling polymer fibers to a light

Method of coupling a high intensity point source to a fiber bundle

An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target.

Concentrating and collecting optical system using concave toroidal

A device which adjusts the angle of illumination of light exiting a fiber optic light guide. A first light guide has a first numerical aperture for emitting light from a light source, and light exiting the first light guide has a first light intensity angular profile. A second light guide has a second numerical aperture for receiving the light from the first light guide, and light exiting the second light guide has a second light intensity angular profile. Light from the first light guide is dispersed by a device including at least a first surface interposed between the first light guide and the second light guide such that light from the first light guide having the first light intensity profile irradiates the first surface and the angular intensity profile of the light irradiating the second light guide is modified so as to cause the second light intensity angular profile to be modified. The first light guide preferably has a single fiber, and the second light guide preferably has a fiber bundle. The dispersion is preferably be effected with a GRIN lens and a fiber bundle having an angled endface, or with a GRIN lens, a fixed fiber bundle having an angled endface and a rotatable fiber bundle having an angled endface.

Method for coupling light from single fiberoptic to a multi-fiber bundle

The optical coupler couples light output from the single fiber optic into the fiber optic bundle while preserving the numerical aperture of the beam output from the single fiber optic. The optical coupler also preserves any uniformity in s the beam output from the single fiber optic. The optical coupler includes a collimating device such as a magnifying lens and a diffusing device such as a hemispherical lens array. The collimating device collimates the beam output from the single fiber optic into a parallel beam having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the fiber optic bundle. The diffuser device diverges the collimated beam for input into the fiber optic bundle by an amount sufficient to reproduce the numerical aperture of light output from the single fiber optic. A wide variety of optical diffuser devices are disclosed, including spherical convex lens arrays, cylindrical lens arrays, pyramidal lens arrays and fresnel lenses. In one exemplary embodiment, the optical coupler is employed within a medical illumination system which transmits light from a high-intensity light source to a medical device such as a surgical headlamp, or medical endoscope or boroscope.

Optical system for coupling light from a single fiber optic into a fiber

The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs). The disc-like masking plate is inserted perpendicularly into the path of the light beam such that the optical axis of the light beam defines a movement axis about the periphery of the masking plate upon which the origin of each aperture is placed. In this manner, rotation of the masking plate around its center provides discrete levels of attenuation of the light beam as successive apertures are placed in the path of the light beam. Several alternate embodiment enable gradual adjustment of the level of attenuation using a plurality of masking plates each having a single aperture with at least one masking member disposed therein. In these embodiments, the masking plates are disposed perpendicularly at predetermined intervals along the optical axis of the light beam and are independently rotated about the optical axis so as to vary the total masked area of the light beam's spot image by overlapping of the masking members.

Light intensity attenuator for optical transmission systems

The present invention comprises a system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation having a primary reflector disposed on one side of an electromagnetic radiation source and a target disposed on the opposite side of the source. The primary reflector includes a concave reflecting surface portion, which preferably forms the entire surface of the reflector. The concave surface portion of the primary reflector, which is preferably of a substantially toroidal shape, defines an optical axis and a primary center of curvature disposed along the optical axis. The source of electromagnetic radiation is located approximately on the optical axis but axially offset a first distance from the center of curvature in a direction toward the concave surface portion. The target, such as a single core fiber optic or a fiber optic bundle, is located approximately on the optical axis but axially offset a second distance from the center of curvature in a direction away from the concave surface portion for acquiring a substantially focused image of the source reflected by the concave surface portion. With this configuration, the first and second distances are approximately related by the equation (1-z.sub.s /r1).times.(1-z.sub.i /r1)=1 where z.sub.s is the first distance, z.sub.i is the second distance and r1 is the primary radius of curvature of the toroidal reflecting surface portion of the primary reflector when a toroidal reflector is used for partial compensation of aberrations. In an alternate embodiment, a secondary reflector may further be added behind the source on the side opposite the primary reflector to enhance further light collection. According to a second alternate embodiment, the system may also comprise a housing having sides with inner surfaces forming the primary reflector and the secondary reflector.

Condensing and collecting optical system with axially displaced concave

The present invention provides a compact surgical headlamp capable of dynamic adjustment of the resulting field of illumination, comprising at least a single core fiber optic delivery light guide, an adjustable light projection system, and a mounting mechanism for movably supporting the headlamp proximate to the surgeon's eyes. A receiving block is also provided for supporting the structure of the projection system and for coupling the delivery fiber thereto. The projection system comprises a cylindrical housing mount adapted with a centrally disposed cylindrical cavity for receiving the ferruled, output end of the delivery fiber and for allowing the light output therefrom to initially diverge within the cavity of the housing mount. An outside surface of the housing mount is threaded for screwable reception of a correspondingly threaded, cylindrical lens housing, with a field lens disposed at a distal end of the lens housing such that the lens is movable back and forth along the optical axis of the delivery fiber by screwing the lens housing on and off of the housing mount. The enclosed cavity collects the more divergent light rays and redirects them toward the output endface of the lens so as to produce a concentrated light beam which defines a smaller solid angle of divergence. As a result, a brighter field of illumination is achieved through movement of the lens towards the protracted position where the illuminated field is made smaller. The mounting mechanism comprises a ball and socket joint coupled at one end to a lower corner of the receiving block, and at a second end to a bracket which can easily be attached to an annular head mount for detachable insertion of the head mount into a headband worn by a surgeon.

Compact surgical illumination system capable of dynamically adjusting

An off-axis optical system for collecting and condensing electromagnetic radiation utilizes an ellipsoidal reflector or a portion thereof configured so that the effects of magnification and optical aberrations (caused by the off-axis arrangement and an aspherical source envelope) are minimized. This is accomplished by the utilization of a specially designed ellipsoidal reflector having primary and secondary focal points along the major axis of the reflector or an effective reflecting portion thereof defined as that portion which is both illuminated by the source and subtended by the acceptance cone of the target. In the preferred embodiment, a single ellipsoidal reflector is configured with its major axis both non coincident with its geometric optical axis and with the optical axis of the target at an angle greater than zero degrees so as to reduce substantially the distance at which a focused image is formed and to achieve an average magnification near unity thereby maintaining the brightness of the source at the target. The radiant flux at the location of the target can be increased by incorporating a retro-reflector of toroidal or spherical design. In a second embodiment, the components forming the optical system of the present invention are arranged in a self-contained nautilus-shaped housing wherein the inner surface of the housing preferably comprises a reflector encompassing the retro-reflector, an effective ellipsoidal reflecting portion and a window through which the image is projected onto the target. In a third embodiment, the present invention utilizes a compound ellipsoidal reflector configuration having two ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces arranged so as to have a common focus, at which point a radiation source is located. In this embodiment, two targets located at the remaining foci of the respective reflectors are illuminated with a high flux density.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Douglas M Brenner