Illumination Device and Related Systems and Methods

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.