a cavity illumination system according to the present disclosure may include one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semi - transparent , biocompatible sterilizable polymer and one or more illumination sources . the sterilizable polymer operates as a waveguide . an illumination element may incorporate micro structured optical components such as for example gratings , prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy . the micro structured optical components may also be used to polarize and / or filter the light energy entering or exiting the illumination element .