Abstract: An erect equal-magnification lens array according to the present invention includes: a first lens array plate including a first lens plate and a group of plural convex lenses arrayed on an emission surface of the first lens plate, an incident surface of the first lens plate being formed in a planar shape; a first aperture plate having plural apertures; a second lens array plate including a second lens plate and a group of plural convex lenses arrayed on both an incident surface and an emission surface of the second lens plate; a second aperture plate including plural apertures corresponding to plural projections of the plural convex lenses on the emission surface of the second lens plate; and a third lens array plate including a third lens plate and a group of plural convex lenses arrayed on an incident surface of the third lens plate.

Abstract: A method for illuminating the surface of an object by using a source beam is provided. The source beam is partitioned into as many illumination sub-beams as there are surface elements to be illuminated, and their aperture is modulated as a function of the predetermined luminous intensity to be assigned to the surface element. Each surface element is illuminated with the aid of one of said illumination sub-beams. Used for illuminating the imagers of projection devices, this method makes it possible to add a second modulation stage allowing the display contrast of the images to be improved.

Abstract: A spectrometer having substantially increased spectral and spatial fields.

Abstract: A color dividing optical device has an integrated structure of dual surfaces, each has a micro/nano structure. The optical device can perform beam splitting and color dividing on an incident light source, which has a constitution from multiple different wavelengths. In a space, the original incident light source is equally split into multiple light beams in an array, according to light intensity. At the same time, the light beam constituted from different wavelengths is divided into multiple sub-light sources, according to the wavelength, so as to have the function to propagate a color array with color dividing. The optical device with capability of modulating the color wavelengths can transform the wide-band incident light source into sub-light beams in array with color dividing (wavelength dividing) and beam splitting.

Abstract: A device for producing laser radiation includes a homogenizer device which can separately homogenize a plurality of groups of partial beams of laser radiation in such a way that each group of partial beams proceeding from the homogenizer device can produce a line-shaped intensity distribution in a work plane, with the distribution having flanks which drop steeply at the line ends. The device further includes a superposition device for superpositioning the groups of partial beams in such a way that a line-shaped or linear intensity distribution having a length longer than the length of each of the line-shaped intensity distributions of the groups of partial beams can be produced in a work plane, wherein the superposition device includes a lens array having a plurality of lenses.

Abstract: A frit sealing system for combining a first substrate and a second substrate using frit comprises a laser generating a laser beam, and a homogenizer normalizing the intensity of the laser beam within a cross section of the laser beam in the transverse direction. The frit sealing system further comprises a support apparatus configured to hold a first and a second substrate with frit interposed between them, wherein the frit is configured to be cured by heat generated from the laser beam and thereby solidifying and binding the first and the second substrates.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a function of enabling focus detection at high speed while exposing an image sensor to light. Imaging apparatus 1 has: a first photoelectric converting element (image sensor 10) that converts an optical image formed on an imaging plane into an electrical signal for forming an image signal; and a second photoelectric converting element (phase difference detecting sensor 20) that receives light having passed through the first photoelectric converting element and converts light into an electrical signal for distance measurement.

Abstract: A stacked disk-shaped optical lens array, a stacked disk-shaped lens module array and a method of manufacturing the same are revealed. The stacked disk-shaped optical lens array is produced by stacked disk-shaped optical lens modules whose optical axis is aligned. The stacked disk-shaped lens module array is produced by a stacked disk-shaped optical lens array whose optical axis is aligned by an alignment fixture, stacked and assembled with required optical element arrays. In the stacked disk-shaped lens module array produced by this method, the lens optical axis is aligned precisely. Moreover, the manufacturing process is simplified and the cost is reduced.

Abstract: Device for illuminating an area, in particular for illuminating a mask (14), for example for a lithographic application, with at least one light source (1) for producing light (3) that can be used for the illumination, optics means (2) for shaping the light (3) produced by the at least one light source (1), and separation means (4, 4?, 4?) capable of dividing the light (3) to be used for the illumination into several mutually separated partial beams (5), so that these partial beams (5) can illuminate the area to be illuminated with a spacing therebetween. The present invention also relates to a device for applying light to a work area.

Abstract: A glass lens array module with alignment fixture and a manufacturing method thereof are revealed. A glass lens array is produced by multi-cavity glass molding and alignment members are arranged on a peripheral of non-optical area of the glass lens array. Optical axis of each of two adjacent glass lens arrays is aligned by corresponding alignment members and the glass lens arrays are assembled by glue. A spacer is disposed between the two adjacent glass lens arrays to form a preset interval if needed. Thus a glass lens array module is formed after curing of the glue. Thereby the alignment of the optical axis of the glass lens is achieved easily and optical precision is also attained. Moreover, the manufacturing processes are simplified and the cost is reduced.

Abstract: An infinity display device with autostereoscopic capability having one or more high lumen light sources 6, a transmissive spatial light modulator (SLM) 7, light collimating optics and a rectilinear light guide. Once the light has passed through the SLM 7 an objective 2 converges the image encoded rays toward a point 43 representing the entrance pupil 5 of said light guide. A second lens 1 then collimates the rays in one plane (Tangential) while a lenticular array 13 is used for collimating rays in the second plane (Sagittal). Next, a first surface mirror 9 reflects all said rays toward a triangular prism 10, where they undergo colour separation before entering the light guide. The light guide may itself consist of two, parallel, first surface mirrors 3 & 4 one of which is partially transmissive. Finally a Fresnel screen 11 tilts the light toward the observer.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional image display device having wide viewing angles using Fresnel lenses is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, the 3-dimensional image display device includes an image source providing part for providing an image source, a first Fresnel lens refracting and transmitting the image source that is incident from the image source providing part, and a second Fresnel lens for generating a 3-dimensional image by refracting and transmitting the image source transmitted from the first Fresnel lens. At least one of the first Fresnel lens and the second Fresnel lens is a curved type Fresnel lens surface. The present invention can maximize the display area for a 3-dimensional image and realize the 3-dimensional image having wide viewing angles without distortion on the left and right boundaries.

Abstract: Light field imaging systems, and in particular light field lenses that can be mated with a variety of conventional cameras (e.g., digital or photographic/film, image and video/movie cameras) to create light field imaging systems. Light field data collected by these light field imaging systems can then be used to produce 2D images, right eye/left eye 3D images, to refocus foreground images and/or background images together or separately (depth of field adjustments), and to move the camera angle, as well as to render and manipulate images using a computer graphics rendering engine and compositing tools. A doublet lenslet array element for use in light field imaging systems includes a first lenslet array element having a first plurality of lenslet array elements, and a second lenslet array element having a first plurality of lenslet array elements, wherein the first lenslet array element is coupled in close proximity to the second lenslet array element.

Abstract: An optical adjusting apparatus having a composite pattern structure is described. The optical adjusting apparatus include a substrate layer, at least one first pattern module and at least one second pattern module. The substrate has a first optical surface and a second optical surface opposite to the first optical surface. The first pattern module positioned on the first optical surface, wherein the first pattern module has a first structure unit along a first arrangement direction. The second pattern module which is adjacent to the first pattern module and positioned on the first optical surface. The second pattern module has the second structure unit along a second arrangement direction. The first structure unit of the first pattern module is connected to the second structure unit of the second pattern module. Therefore, the convergent angle of a light module is adjusted and the brightness of the light module is increased along specific direction.

Abstract: An illumination system including at least one coherent light source, a light uniforming device and a lenticular sheet module is provided. The coherent light source is capable of emitting a coherent beam. The light uniforming device is disposed on a transmission path of the coherent beam. The lenticular sheet module disposed on a transmission path of the coherent beam and between the coherent light source and the light uniforming device, includes a first lenticular sheet and a second lenticular sheet. The first lenticular sheet includes a plurality of first rod-like lenticulars disposed side by side extending along a first extending direction. The second lenticular sheet disposed between the first lenticular sheet and the light uniforming device, includes a plurality of second rod-like lenticulars disposed side by side extending along a second extending direction. The first extending direction and the second extending direction make an angle greater than 0 degree.

Abstract: Provided are methods for making a product having a three-dimensional surface. The method includes providing a base material, providing an adhesive layer and positioning the adhesive layer relative to the base material. The method includes providing a three-dimensional sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a convex lens layer. The three-dimensional sheet is positioned relative to the base material based on a registration of an image on the three-dimensional sheet and is secured to the base material using the adhesive layer. Securing the three-dimensional sheet to the base material can include applying pressure to the three-dimensional sheet in successive steps of increasing pressure. A product having a three-dimensional surface that includes a base material, a three-dimensional sheet, and an adhesive layer disposed between the base material and three-dimensional sheet and configured to secure the three-dimensional sheet to the base material.

Abstract: An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes a stack of a plurality lens array plates built such that pairs of corresponding lenses form a coaxial lens system, where each lens array plate is formed with a plurality of convex lenses on both surfaces of the plate. The plate receives light from a substantially straight light source facing one side of the plate, and the plate forms an erect equal-magnification image of the substantially straight light source on an image plane facing the other side of the plate. A light shielding member operative to shield light not contributing to imaging is formed in the neighborhood of a position in the intermediate plane in the erecting equal-magnification lens array plate where an inverted image of the substantially straight light source is formed. The main lens arrangement direction of the convex lenses differs from the main scanning direction of the erecting equal-magnification lens array plate.

Abstract: A lens array includes: a lens array substrate having a light transmissive property; a first lens disposed on the lens array substrate; and a second lens disposed on the lens array substrate in a first direction from the first lens and different from the first lens in peripheral shape.

Abstract: A process for making a microlens array or a microlens array masterform comprises (a) providing a photoreactive composition, the photoreactive composition comprising (1) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction, and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; and (b) imagewise exposing at least a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light, the imagewise exposing being carried out in a pattern that is effective to define at least the surface of a plurality of microlenses, each of the microlenses having a principal axis and a focal length, and at least one of the microlenses being an aspherical microlens.

Abstract: There is provided a light source unit which includes a luminescent light source which receives excitation light so as to emit light of a predetermined wavelength band, excitation light sources which shine excitation light on to the luminescent light source, a reflection space having the luminescent light source in an interior thereof and an emission space which emits luminescent light source light emitted from the reflection space from an emission port whose area is made smaller than the area of the luminescent light source and a projector which employs the light source unit.

Abstract: Lens pairs include: a first lens to form an intermediate image, which is an inverted image of an object, on an intermediate image plane; and a second lens to form an image of the object, which is an inverted image of the intermediate image, on the image plane. A ratio of SO1 (the distance between the first principal plane of the first lens and the object plane) to SI1 (the distance between the second principal plane of the first lens and the intermediate image plane) is substantially the same as the ratio of SI2 (the distance between the second principal plane of the second lens and the imaging plane) to SO2 (the distance between the first principal plane of the second lens and the intermediate image plane). The distance between the first lens and the object plane is different from a distance between the second lens and the imaging plane.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus 101 in which the light quantity adjusting means has a simple and readily interchangeable structure, and which can improve image quality by adjusting the quantity of light received by a light valve continuously, without causing illuminance irregularities, and without having unwanted light radiated onto the screen, the light quantity adjusting means 9 having light blocking members 91L, 91R for blocking light in transit to a second lens array 22, and rotational axes 91LA, 91RA for turnably supporting each of the light blocking members on an xy plane, the light blocking members 91L, 91R and rotational axes 91LA, 91RA being positioned so that the rotational axes 91LA, 91RA are disposed in positions symmetric with respect to the optical axis AX on the xy plane, and the turning range from the light blocking initiation position at which the light blocking members 91L, 91R, by being turned, start to block light in transit toward the second lens array 22 to the maximum light blocking posi

Abstract: Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical sheet includes a transparent base, a plurality of first micro structures, and a plurality of second micro structures. The transparent base has a light-receiving surface and a light-exit surface. The first micro structures are disposed on the light-exit surface, and the second micro structures are disposed on the light-receiving surface. Each first micro structure includes a first planar surface and a curve surface. Each second micro structure includes a second planar surface formed on the light-receiving surface and a total reflection surface connected with the second planar surface. Each first micro structure forms a first orthogonal projection area on the light-receiving surface, each second micro structure forms a second orthogonal projection area on the light-receiving surface, the second planar surface is located within the first orthogonal projection area, and the entire area of the second planar surface is equal to the second orthogonal projection area.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus is provided that is safe even when a person looks directly into a laser beam. A laser operation control unit sets the output power of at least one laser source so that intensity A (mW/mm2) of the laser beam on at least one spatial light modulation element satisfies relationship of A<686×B2 when numerical aperture B on image side of an illumination optics system is set.

Abstract: A lens array includes a plurality of lens units each of which includes a plurality of microlenses linearly arranged, and a light shielding member having a plurality of openings as apertures. The openings are disposed so as to face the microlenses of respective lens units. Facing microlenses of the lens units have optical axes substantially aligned with each other and passing the openings of the light shielding member. Light absorbing portions are provided in the openings.

Abstract: An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes a stack of a first lens array plate and a second lens array plate, the first lens array plate being provided with a plurality of first lenses and a plurality of second lenses, and the second lens array plate being provided with a plurality of third lenses and a plurality of fourth lenses. The erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes a first light shielding wall provided upright to surround the first lens, a second light shielding wall provided upright to surround the fourth lens, a first aperture defined by the first light shielding wall and formed above the first lens, and a second aperture defined by the second light shielding well and formed above the fourth lens. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture is formed such that the aperture diameter ID facing the lens is larger than the aperture diameter OD on the opposite side.

Abstract: A lens array includes a plurality of lens assembly members with a plurality of lenses and a light blocking member with a plurality of apertures arranged therein. The lens assembly members are arranged so that an optical axis of each of the lenses of one of the lens assembly members is aligned with an optical axis of each of the lenses of another of the lens assembly members. Further, the lens assembly members and the light blocking member are arranged so that the following relationship is satisfied: ( PX 2 ) 2 + ( PY 4 ) 2 ? RA ? LO - F F where PY is a pitch of the lenses in one row, PX is a pitch of the rows, F is a focal length of each of the lenses, LO is a distance between each of the lenses and an object surface thereof, and RA is a distance between the optical axis and an inner surface of the aperture.

Abstract: An optical film comprises a transparent substrate including a top surface and a bottom surface; a micro-hemisphere layer disposed on the top surface of the transparent substrate and having a plurality of hemispheric projections, and an unsmooth diffusion layer disposed on the bottom layer of the transparent substrate. The micro-hemisphere layer condenses a light. The unsmooth diffusion surface diffuses a light.

Abstract: A composite optical dividing device can receive a light beam, which is mixed with at least multiple wavelength ranges of light. The optical dividing device includes a first optical film plate and a second optical film plate. The first optical film plate has multiple micro-structure lenses in same shape, for deflecting and the incident light with a condense level. The second optical film plate has multiple periodic polygon structures, for receiving the deflected light and dividing constitutions of the light beam, according to the wavelength ranges. Each of the multiple ranges of light respectively travels toward a predetermined region on a plane.

Abstract: An exposure device is provided that has a light emitting unit having a plurality of light emitting elements and a lens array having a pair of lenses having a first lens and a second lens, the lens array having a shielding unit for shielding a light from any one of the pair of lenses, wherein a formula EC<EP/2 is satisfied, where EP denotes an interval between two adjacent light emitting elements of the plurality of light emitting elements and where EC denotes an off-set between a central axis of the first lens and a central axis of the second lens.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens array, a first light blocking member, and a second light blocking member. The lens array includes a plurality of lens pairs arranged in a substantially linear arrangement. Each of the lens pairs includes a first lens for forming an inverted reduced-size image of an object and a second lens for forming an inverted enlarged-size image of the inverted reduced-size image. The first light blocking member is disposed between the first lenses and the second lenses, and includes first apertures. The second light blocking member includes second apertures arranged in a substantially linear arrangement corresponding to an arrangement interval of the lens pairs, and having different opening portion shapes depending on a position of the lens pairs in an optical axis direction of the lens pairs. The second light blocking member is disposed at least between the first lenses and an object plane or the second lenses and an image plane.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical integrator configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources in an illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing an array of elongated microlenses for use in such an illumination system. Arrays of elongated microlenses are often contained in optical integrators or scattering plates of such illumination systems.

Abstract: A lens array includes a plurality of lens groups each of which includes lenses so disposed that optical axes thereof are aligned with each other. The lens groups are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes. A light-blocking portion is provided for shielding each of the lens group from light having passed through any lens of other lens group. A largest diameter D of the lens and an arrangement interval P at which the lens groups are arranged satisfy the relationship: P<D.

Abstract: An optical unit for use in a backlight device of a liquid crystal display apparatus, has a first light-collecting and -diffusing optical component, a light-collecting optical component, and a second light-collecting and -diffusing optical component, provided in this order on the optical path of light emitted from a light source. Each light-collecting and -diffusing optical component has a surface provided on which are a plurality of microlenses each having a shape of a hemisphere- or semi-oval-like protrusion, with light collecting and diffusing functions. The light-collecting optical component has a surface provided on which are a plurality of prisms each having a saw-teeth like section, with a light collecting function. Each surface is provided on a light-emitting side of the optical unit.

Abstract: An optical display system is disclosed. The system has an optical light source, a first microstructured optical component having a plurality of first microstructures, and having a nominal first microstructure pitch, P1; and a second microstructure optical component, arranged relative to the first microstructured optical component, having a plurality of second microstructures and having a second nominal microstructure pitch, P2. P2/P1 has a value closer to the mid-point between consecutive integers than to either one of the consecutive integers.

Abstract: A micro-lens enhanced element comprises a substrate bearing sequences of printed image elements, each sequence containing image elements front more than one image. A transparent spacer layer is coated over the interlaced image strips. Lenticular lenses are fashioned over each sequence of image elements by deposition of a transparent layer of low surface energy polydimethyl siloxane based material and ablation of the same to create strips of material abhesive to a polymeric lens forming material between consecutive sequences of printed image elements. During deposition of a liquid lens forming material, the liquid withdraws from the liquid abhesive low surface energy strips to form a meniscus, thereby providing lenticular lenses. The transparent low surface energy material comprises a near infrared dye with low absorption in the visible range of the spectrum to render the material both transparent and ablateable by infrared laser.

Abstract: An optical microstructure plate and mold for fabricating the same is disclosed. The optical microstructure plate comprises a substrate. An optical microstructure element is formed on the substrate. A period alignment mark is disposed on the substrate to provide alignment for fabricating the optical microstructure element by a mold. A universal alignment mark is disposed on the substrate to provide alignment for bonding another plate therewith. Specifically, the mold comprises a concave within a mold substrate, a spoiler around the concave, and a buffer zone adjacent to the spoiler.

Abstract: The present microlens for packaging and printing includes a package including a body; and a microlens window located on the body to display at least one graphical image in a first portion of the microlens window and the contents of the package through a second portion of the microlens window.

Abstract: An erecting equal-magnification lens array plate includes a stack of a plurality lens array plates built such that pairs of corresponding lenses form a coaxial lens system, where each lens array plate is formed with a plurality of convex lenses on both surfaces of the plate. The plate receives light from a substantially straight light source facing one side of the plate, and the plate forms an erect equal-magnification image of the substantially straight light source on an image plane facing the other side of the plate. The main lens arrangement direction differs from the main scanning direction of the erecting equal-magnification lens array plate.

Abstract: A lens array, includes: a plurality of lens substrates which include a plurality of lenses arranged in a first direction; and a support member which supports the plurality of lens substrates arranged in the first direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security document (7) having a first transparent region (72) in which a first transparent optical element (74) is arranged and a second region (71) in which a second opaque optical element (73) is arranged. The second opaque optical element (73) exhibits a first optical effect. The first region (72) and the second region (71) are arranged in mutually spaced relationship on a carrier (75) of the security document, in such a way that the first and second regions can be brought into mutually overlapping relationship. Upon overlap of the second optical element with the first optical element with a first spacing (26) between the first and second optical elements a second optical effect appears and upon overlap of the second optical element with the first optical element with a second spacing (25) between the first and second optical elements, which is greater than the first spacing (26), a third optical effect (51) which is different from the second optical effect appears.

Abstract: There are disposed two homogenizers for controlling an irradiation energy density in the longitudinal direction of a laser light transformed into a linear one which is inputtted into the surface to be irradiated. Also, there is disposed one homogenizer for controlling an irradiation energy density in a width direction of the linear laser light. According to this, the uniformity of laser annealing can be improved by the minimum number of homogenizers.

Abstract: A microlens, an image sensor including the microlens, a method of forming the microlens and a method of manufacturing the image sensor are provided. The microlens includes a polysilicon pattern, having a cylindrical shape, formed on a substrate, and a round-type shell portion enclosing the polysilicon pattern. The microlens may further include a filler material filling an interior of the shell portion, or a second shell portion covering the first shell portion. The method of forming a microlens includes forming a silicon pattern on a semiconductor substrate having a lower structure, forming a capping film on the semiconductor substrate over the silicon pattern, annealing the silicon pattern and the capping film altering the silicon pattern to a polysilicon pattern having a cylindrical shape and the capping film to a shell portion for a round-type microlens, and filling an interior of the shell portion with a lens material through an opening between the semiconductor substrate and an edge of the shell portion.

Abstract: Provided is an image display device including: an image forming layer for forming a plurality of images; and a lens layer which is integrally provided with the image forming layer and includes a plurality of lenses for guiding the plurality of images formed in the image forming layer in a plurality of corresponding directions.

Abstract: A high definition thin lens dimensional image display device and methods of manufacturing the same. The thin lens dimensional image display device generally includes a lens array on a first surface of a film, such as a lenticular lens array or a fly's eye lens array, with a printed imaged either printed directly on a second planar surface of the film, or on a separate substrate that is laminated thereto. The resulting display device offers a lower cost display device having greater flexibility for a wider variety of applications than traditional image display devices, without compromising image quality. Processes for manufacturing the display device include printing on a pre-fabricated thin lens web, inline printing of an image and patterning of the lens array, and inline printing of a substrate and application of a coating to the substrate which is subsequently patterned or embossed.

Abstract: The current invention describes the method of making symmetrical radiation of extremely asymmetrical light sources, e.g. laser diode bars, using the shaper of three optical elements that preserve the brightness of the initial light source. The first element of the shaper-collimator of the fast axis-images the light source in the direction of the fast axis directly into the output plain of the shaper. The second and the third element of the shaper are the multi-segment elements that separate and optimally redistribute different beams and focus these in the direction of the slow axis. The surfaces of the shaper optical elements are described by the surfaces of the second and higher order, which enables compensation of different distortions, for instance field curvature aberration, distortion caused by the light source bending, etc. The shaper offers optimal order of secondary beam redistribution that has the least possible impact on the initial beam brightness.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like.

Abstract: A composite light dividing device is provided. The composite light dividing device receives a light beam mixed by lights of at least two wavebands. The composite light dividing device includes a refracting/diffracting unit, and a refracting unit. The refracting/diffracting unit is adapted for receiving the light beam and condensing the light beam into a condensed light beam, and dividing the condensed light beam at a deflection direction to obtain the lights of the wavebands. The refracting unit is adapted for deflecting the divided lights of the wavebands for outputting them from a specific direction. The composite light dividing device for example can be used in an image apparatus, and the divided lights of the wavebands can serve as primary color lights of the pixel colors.

Abstract: A peripheral input device having a body configured to be stored within a housing of a computer device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a wireless input device is configured to be recharged within the housing. Further aspects of the invention relate to an input device configured to operatively connect to underutilized ports of a computer system. In one embodiment, the input device operatively connects to a PCMCIA port of a computer. Yet further aspects of the invention relate to an input device having an expandable body, wherein the body may be configured to have an increased surface area upon expansion of the body.