Illumination Device and Related Systems and Methods
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; and
an illumination device disposed within a recess in the housing, the illumination device including a substantially planar light-emitting surface which is proximate to an optical taper, wherein a second end of the optical taper is coupled to a connection end of the light guide when the housing mates with the light guide, wherein the optical taper provides a light exit angle that at least substantially matches an acceptance angle of 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 . A detachable illumination system comprising:
a housing that detachably mates with a light guide disposed within an endoscope; and
an illumination device disposed within a recess in the housing, the illumination device including a substantially planar light-emitting surface which is proximate to an optical taper, wherein a second end of the optical taper is coupled to a connection end of the light guide when the housing mates with the light guide, wherein the optical taper provides a light exit angle that at least substantially matches an acceptance angle of the light guide.
10 . The detachable illumination system of claim 9 , wherein the housing includes a mechanical connector that mates with the light guide.
11 . The detachable illumination system of claim 9 , wherein the illumination device includes a light-emitting diode chip.
12 . The detachable illumination system of claim 11 , wherein the substantially planar light-emitting surface comprises a flat transparent window disposed above the light-emitting diode chip.
13 . The detachable illumination system of claim 11 , 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.
14 . The detachable illumination system of claim 9 , wherein the illumination device includes a taper in direct contact with the substantially planar light-emitting surface.
15 . The detachable illumination system of claim 9 , wherein an adhesive or an index matching material is disposed between the substantially planar light-emitting surface and the optical taper.
16 . The detachable illumination system of claim 1 further comprising a light post taper, wherein the second end of the optical taper is coupled to a first end of the light post taper and a second end of the light post taper is coupled to the connection end of the light guide when the housing mates with the light guide.
17 . The detachable illumination system of claim 16 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.