Light diffusing tip

Abstract

A light diffusing tip is provided. The light diffusing tip comprises a housing and a monolithic light scattering medium disposed within the housing. The monolithic light scattering medium comprises a first scattering region at a first position, the scattering region having a first scattering property and a second scattering region at a second position, the 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. A light diffusing applicator also is provided. The light diffusing applicator comprises at least one optical waveguide, a first termination coupled to a first end of the at least one optical waveguide, the first termination to couple to a light source and a light diffusing tip coupled to a second end of the at least one optical waveguide.

1 . A method of delivering energy to a tissue comprising:
 positioning a light diffusing tip proximate to at least one desired region of said tissue; and   providing optical energy to said light diffusing tip; and   delivering said optical energy to said at least one desired region;   
       wherein said optical energy is variably scattered along at least one axis of said light diffusing tip. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one desired region is a tumor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of said optical energy delivered via said light diffusing tip is substantially uniform along said at least one axis. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of said optical energy delivered via said light diffusing tip substantially varies along said at least one axis. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said optical energy is variably scattered along a long axis of said light diffusing tip. 
     
     
         6 . A light diffusing tip comprising:
 a housing; and   a monolithic light scattering medium disposed within the housing and comprising:
 a first scattering region comprising a first scattering material; and 
 a second scattering region comprising a second scattering material; 
   wherein said first scattering region at least partially envelops said second scattering region.   
     
     
         7 . The light diffusing tip of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second scattering materials comprise scattering centers suspended in a light transmissive medium. 
     
     
         8 . The light diffusing tip of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of said scattering centers comprise discrete gas bubbles. 
     
     
         9 . The light diffusing tip of  claim 6 , wherein the concentration of said scattering centers in said light transmissive medium varies along at least one axis of said light diffusing tip. 
     
     
         10 . The light diffusing tip of  claim 6 , wherein said first scattering region contacts the entire outer surface of said second scattering region. 
     
     
         11 . The light diffusing tip of  claim 6 , wherein said second scattering region comprises a portion of an optical fiber. 
     
     
         12 . The light diffusing tip of  claim 11 , wherein said portion of an optical fiber comprises the surface of said optical fiber. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming an applicator, the method comprising:
 forming a first scattering region in a housing; and   forming a second scattering region in said housing at least partially coextensively with said first scattering region.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming at least one of said first and second scattering regions comprises injecting a liquid or gel into said housing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said liquid or gel is injected with a needle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising varying the rate of injection of said liquid or gel into said housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising solidifying at least one of said first and second scattering regions. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein solidifying at least one of said first and second scattering regions comprises curing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said forming a second scattering region comprises at least partially displacing the material of said first scattering region in said housing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 positioning said needle in proximity to said housing; and   injecting said liquid or gel into said housing;   
       wherein the position of said needle in said housing is varied during said injecting of liquid or gel into said housing. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the positioning of said needle is varied based on observation of the injection of liquid or gel into said housing.