Patent ID: 8139911
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
1. A light-illuminating probe comprising: a light-transmitting portion of an optical fiber constructed with at least a first dielectric material having a light transparency; the light-transmitting portion being adapted to receive light from an external light source at one distal end of the optical fiber; and a light-radiating portion constructed with a second dielectric material having a light transparency, the light-radiating portion being integrally formed at another distal end of the light transmitting portion of the optical fiber as an extension of the light-transmitting portion, the light-radiating portion being adapted to transmit the light from the external light source and to provide an enhanced spatial illuminating spread of the light having a beam of light projecting substantially in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber from the external light source onto an object to be lighted, wherein the first dielectric material constitutes the optical fiber including a core disposed in a center portion thereof and a clad disposed around the core, wherein the clad has a refractive index smaller than the refractive index of the core, wherein the light-radiating portion has a uniform refractive index distribution in which a refractive index of the light-radiating portion is equal to the refractive index of the core, and wherein a distal portion of the light-radiating portion has a refractive index distribution in which a refractive index of the distal portion is higher than the refractive index of the core.