A backlight for a liquid crystal display (LCD) employing light recycling. In one embodiment the backlight includes a light guide fabricated from a substantially non-absorptive material and a reflective layer fabricated from a highly reflective material. In another embodiment the backlight includes a light source, a bundle of optical fibers, and a reflective layer fabricated from a highly reflective material, wherein the bundle of optical fibers is configured to receive light from the light source and distribute it to the reflective layer.

A modular system is described for construction of fluid applicators for open or endoscopic surgery from modular components. Lengths of tubing of various lengths, and devices to be carried by said tubing, are pre-fitted with standard adapters to mate with each other, thereby forming cannula sections and applicator sections. Interconnectors may also be provided, particularly for provision of articulation. The tubing is preferably rigid, but may also be either flexible or permanently bendable. A device can then be constructed by selection of a suitable set of tubing lengths, adapters and applicators. Devices customizable for particular uses can be created with minimal expense. The system is especially suitable for delivery of fluids to tissue in endoscopic or other minimally invasive surgical procedures. Delivery of fluids forming structure at a tissue site, especially as a hydrogel, is a preferred use of the devices.

A system for diffusing light from an optical fiber wherein the optical fiber is coupled to a light source, comprising forming a polymer element adapted to be connected to the optical fiber and incorporating a scattering element with the polymer element wherein the scattering element diffuses the light from the polymer element. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a polymer element operatively connected to the optical fiber and a scattering element operatively connected with the shape polymer element that diffuses the light from the polymer element.

An illumination system for illuminating an area within a room includes one or more light sources, preferably disposed outside the room, one or more lighting heads disposed within the room, one or more light pipes and/or fiber bundles to transmit light from the source(s) to the lighting head(s). The system includes means for controlling both the intensity and the color rendering index of the light emitted from the lighting head. In a preferred embodiment, the sources include an incandescent source extending across the visible spectrum and a light emitting diode source which emits essentially red light, and control of the color rendering index is effected by controlling the relative amounts of light from the two sources reaching the lighting head. Preferred forms of the invention also include special joints which permit all necessary translations and rotations of the lighting head while still permitting a continuous light path via fiber bundles and/or light pipes from the source to the lighting head.

A method for incorporating an optical material into an optical fiber and optical devices utilizing the method are disclosed. Fiber material may be removed from the optical fiber to expose the fiber core and the core may then be at least partially removed. The optical material may then be incorporated into the core area to replace the removed core. Cladding material may then be deposited over the optical material and an electrode may be fixed to the cladding over the optical material to form an optical device.