Patent ID: 7810982
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N,F21V,G02B,H01H

Abstract:
1. An optical assembly, comprising: a light input edge; a light source positioned adjacent the light input edge, the light source being quite small in relation to a length and width of the optical assembly; a generally planar first surface comprising a first pattern of well defined optical elements that are projections or depressions on or in the first surface, at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern being quite small in relation to a length and width of the optical assembly; a generally planar second surface generally parallel to the first surface, the second surface comprising a second pattern of well defined optical elements that are projections or depressions on or in the second surface; wherein: at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern include a first sloped surface for directing at least some light emitted from the light source, the optical elements of the first pattern varying over the first surface; at least some of the optical elements of the second pattern include a second sloped surface for directing at least some light emitted from the light source; the respective first sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of the first pattern have a respective first slope angle that is different from a respective second slope angle of the respective second sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of the second pattern such that more of the light emitted from the light source is emitted from one of the first and second surfaces than is emitted from the other one of the first and second surfaces; and the optical assembly additionally comprises a reflector layer positioned adjacent the other one of the first and second surfaces.