Light diffusing tip

1. A method comprising:

providing a housing;

forming a monolithic light scattering medium within the housing, the monolithic light scattering medium including a first scattering region having a first scattering property and a second scattering region having a second scattering property different from the first scattering property, wherein the first scattering region and the second scattering region are coextensive along a substantial portion of a length of the housing.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the monolithic light scattering medium comprises:

inserting a first scattering material into a first end of the housing to form the first scattering region, the first scattering material having the first scattering property; and

inserting a second scattering material into the housing so as to contact a portion of the first scattering region over a substantial portion of the length of the housing to form the second scattering region, the second scattering material having the second scattering property; and

curing the first scattering material and the second scattering material to form a monolithic scattering medium.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein inserting the second scattering material includes inserting the second scattering material to displace at least a portion of the first scattering material.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein inserting the second scattering material includes inserting the second material to form a conical shape.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first scattering material includes a first concentration of scattering particles suspended in a light transmissive material and the second scattering material includes a second concentration of the scattering particles suspended in a light transmissive material.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first scattering material includes a first type of scattering particle suspended in a light transmissive material and the second scattering material includes a second type of scattering particle suspended in a light transmissive material.

7. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

inserting a portion of at least one optical waveguide into one of the first or second scattering materials prior to curing.

8. A method of forming an applicator, the method comprising:

inserting a first scattering material into a first end of a housing to form a first scattering region, the first scattering material having a first scattering property; and

inserting a second scattering material into the housing so as to contact a portion of the first scattering region over a substantial portion of the length of the housing to form a second scattering region, the second scattering material having the second scattering property; and

curing the first scattering material and the second scattering material to form a monolithic scattering medium.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising mixing a scattering material at a concentration of 100 mg/ml to 180 mg/ml with a polymer to form the first scattering material.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising mixing a scattering material at a concentration of 2500 mg/ml to 6500 mg/ml with a polymer to form the second scattering material.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising applying a vacuum to the first scattering material and to the second scattering material prior to curing the first scattering material and the second scattering material.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein inserting the second scattering material includes inserting the second scattering material to displace at least a portion of the first scattering material.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein inserting the second scattering material includes inserting the second material to form a conical shape.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the conical shape is coaxial with the housing.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the conical shape is offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing.

16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second scattering material is inserted into the first end of the housing.

17. The method of claim 8 , further comprising positioning the housing horizontally while curing the first and second scattering materials.

18. The method of claim 8 , wherein the housing is subjected to a centrifuge while curing the first and second scattering materials.

19. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

inserting a portion of at least one optical waveguide into one of the first or second scattering materials prior to curing.

20. A method comprising:

providing a light applicator having a light diffusing tip coupled to a first end of an optical waveguide of the light applicator, the light diffusing tip comprising a housing and a monolithic light scattering medium disposed within the housing, the light scattering medium including a first scattering region having a first scattering property and a second scattering region having a second scattering property different from the first scattering property, wherein the first scattering region and the second scattering region are coextensive along a substantial portion of a length of the housing;

locating the light diffusing tip proximal to a bodily tissue; and

providing light energy to the light diffusing tip via a second end of optical waveguide of the light applicator so as to irradiate the bodily tissue.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the bodily tissue is a tumor.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the bodily tissue is irradiated as part of photodynamic therapy.