Abstract: A display front lighting device comprises an optically transmissive sheet member that provides reflective means to evenly distribute light for the illumination of the text and/or graphics of display modules while permitting the text and/or graphics to visibly pass through the sheet member for viewing. The transmissive sheet member has LEDs offset mounted at an angle relative to one side of the sheet member such that a portion of the light emitted by the LEDs is reflected by the one side onto the adjacent dis play. The LEDs are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board, or alternatively on the conductive traces bonded to the sheet member.

Abstract: Lighting assembly comprises an optical fiber light guide panel member having a light conducting core cladded on opposite sides by cladding made of optically transparent material having a lower index of refraction than the light conducting core to cause total internal reflection of conducted light within the light conducting core at the core-cladding interface. Disruptions at one or more areas of the cladding cause conducted light within the light conducting core to be emitted from one or more areas of the panel member. Electrical circuitry is bonded to one or both sides of the cladding. One or more LEDs embedded in the panel member are in electrical conduct with the electrical circuitry and optically coupled to the light conducting core.

Abstract: A backlit system comprises a base panel, a plurality of keys disposed on the base panel, a substantially planar light guide panel disposed between the base panel and the plurality of keys, at least one light source disposed on the light guide panel, and at least one light management feature disposed on the light guide panel. The at least one light management feature is configured to at least partially reflect incident light within the light guide panel.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: Fiber optic phototherapy device comprises a light emitter comprising one or more layers of optical fibers. The optical fibers have end portions extending from opposite ends of the light emitter that are mixed together and lighted using the same light source or light sources.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring fiber optic substrates may include rollers with abrasive surfaces that press lengths of the substrates against elongated supports, which may be tapered, during relative lengthwise movement between the rollers and supports; abrasive sheets that are vibrated against the substrates; abrasive flap wheels that are rotated to cause flexible abrasive flaps on the wheels to strike the substrates; rotating blades that cut a transverse marring pattern in the substrates; hammers having abrasive surfaces that are oscillated to strike the substrates; and water jet abrasive slurries that are directed at the substrates.

Abstract: Phototherapy devices for phototherapy treatment of a patient include a light emitter for emitting light received from a light source. Means may be provided for increasing the amount of power to the light source in response to a decrease in light output to maintain a substantially constant light output. The light source may be inside a housing and bonded to a heat sink attached to the back side of the housing to dissipate excess heat generated by the light source. Also the light source may comprise at least one LED that generates blue light output bands and at least one other LED that generates other color light output bands that are selectively mixed with the blue light output bands.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring fiber optic substrates may include rollers with abrasive surfaces that press lengths of the substrates against elongated supports, which may be tapered, during relative lengthwise movement between the rollers and supports; abrasive sheets that are vibrated against the substrates; abrasive flap wheels that are rotated to cause flexible abrasive flaps on the wheels to strike the substrates; rotating blades that cut a transverse marring pattern in the substrates; hammers having abrasive surfaces that are oscillated to strike the substrates; and water jet abrasive slurries that are directed at the substrates.

Abstract: Phototherapy treatment devices include a light emitter that is adapted to be placed in close proximity to a wound for applying light/heat energy to the wound to aid in the healing process. The light emitter may comprise a light guide that receives light from a light source or a light source that is affixed to a substrate used to position the light source over the wound.

Abstract: Fiber optic phototherapy devices include fiber optic light emitters having fiber optic end portions at one or both ends that may be separated into a plurality of groups of end portions that receive light from one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). Lenses may be used to focus the light from one or more LEDs onto the end portions. The LEDs may be mounted to a heat sink to dissipate any excess heat generated by the LEDs.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: An infrared identification device includes a light emitting panel member that receives light from an infrared light source for conduction within the panel member and emission from a light emitting surface area on one side of the panel member, which is relatively easy to detect at night when viewed through night vision equipment. The device may be capable of functioning in an interrogation mode, allowing the device to be activated remotely by a predetermined signal frequency, code signal or pulse signal and send out a signal response.

Abstract: Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. In some embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system includes a light emitter in the form of an elongated light emitting blade portion extending along the length of the retractor blade. The light emitter may be coupled to a light source integral with the retractor for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the light emitter or retractor blade. In other embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

Abstract: Fiber optic phototherapy devices include fiber optic light emitters having fiber optic end portions at one or both ends that may be separated into a plurality of groups of end portions that receive light from one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The fiber optic end portions of different segments of the light emitters may also be grouped together in different groups and lighted by different LEDs for selectively lighting any or all of the segments of the light emitters at the same or different types as desired. Lenses may be used to focus the light from one or more LEDs onto the end portions of each group. The LEDs may be mounted to a heat sink to dissipate any excess heat generated by the LEDs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring fiber optic substrates may include rollers with abrasive surfaces that press lengths of the substrates against elongated supports, which may be tapered, during relative lengthwise movement between the rollers and supports; abrasive sheets that are vibrated against the substrates; abrasive flap wheels that are rotated to cause flexible abrasive flaps on the wheels to strike the substrates; rotating blades that cut a transverse marring pattern in the substrates; hammers having abrasive surfaces that are oscillated to strike the substrates; and water jet abrasive slurries that are directed at the substrates.

Abstract: A pad like device adapted to be placed over a phototherapy light source contains a medium that provides a comfortable support for a patient during phototherapy treatment and allows a portion of the light emitted by the light source to pass through the pad for phototherapy treatment.

Abstract: Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. The light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

Abstract: Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring the surface of a fiber optic substrate by pressing a length of the substrate against an elongate support with at least one roller and causing relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support with the roller pressing the substrate against the support and the roller rolling along the substrate. One of the roller and support may have an abrasive surface for marring the substrate during such relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support. Alternatively, the abrasive surface may be on a sheet supported by the support.

Abstract: Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.