Illumination device
Illumination devices include a light source including a substantially planar light-emitting surface and an optical rod or optical taper disposed proximate to the substantially planar light-emitting surface to optically couple the optical rod and the substantially planar light-emitting surface.
1. A detachable illumination system comprising:
a housing that detachably mates with a light guide;
an illumination device disposed within a recess in the housing, the illumination device including a substantially planar light-emitting surface of a light source of the illumination device which is proximate to a first end of an optical taper; and
a light post taper, wherein a second end of the light post taper is coupled to a connection end of the light guide, and a second end of the optical taper is proximate to a first end of the light post taper when the housing mates with the light guide.
2. The detachable illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a mechanical connector that mates with the light guide.
3. The detachable illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device includes a light-emitting diode chip.
4. The detachable illumination system of claim 3 , wherein the light-emitting diode chip has a power consumption of about 1 to 5 W.
5. The detachable illumination system of claim 3 , wherein the substantially planar light-emitting surface comprises a flat transparent window disposed above the light-emitting diode chip.
6. The detachable illumination system of claim 3 , wherein the substantially planar light-emitting surface comprises an emitting surface of the light-emitting diode chip coated with a film of a substance that emits light when the light-emitting diode chip is activated.
7. The detachable illumination system of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device includes a taper in direct contact with the substantially planar light-emitting surface.
8. The detachable illumination system of claim 1 , wherein an adhesive or an index matching material is disposed between the substantially planar light-emitting surface and the optical taper.
9. The detachable illumination system of claim 2 wherein the first end of the light post taper is a larger surface area of the light post taper and the second end of the light post taper is a smaller surface area end of the light post taper.
10. A detachable illumination system comprising:
a housing that detachably mates with a light guide disposed within an endoscope;
an illumination device disposed within a recess in the housing, the illumination device including a substantially planar light-emitting surface of a light source of the illumination device which is proximate to an optical taper; and
a light post taper, wherein a second end of the light post taper is coupled to a connection end of the light guide, and a second end of the optical taper is proximate to a first end of the light post taper when the housing mates with the light guide.
11. The detachable illumination system of claim 10 , wherein the housing includes a mechanical connector that mates with the light guide.
12. The detachable illumination system of claim 10 , wherein the illumination device includes a light-emitting diode chip.
13. The detachable illumination system of claim 12 , wherein the substantially planar light-emitting surface comprises a flat transparent window disposed above the light-emitting diode chip.
14. The detachable illumination system of claim 12 , wherein the substantially planar light-emitting surface comprises an emitting surface of the light-emitting diode chip coated with a film of a substance that emits light when the light-emitting diode chip is activated.
15. The detachable illumination system of claim 10 , wherein the illumination device includes a taper in direct contact with the substantially planar light-emitting surface.
16. The detachable illumination system of claim 10 , wherein an adhesive or an index matching material is disposed between the substantially planar light-emitting surface and the optical taper.