SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICAL PROBE FUNCTIONS DURING MEDICAL AND VETERINARY PROCEDURES

1 . A device comprising:

a handpiece having a probe tip disposed at an end thereof;

an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe connected to the handpiece such that a functionality of the OCT probe is provided at the probe tip; and

disposed within or on the handpiece, a sensor responsive to at least one of movement or handling of the handpiece for controlling the functionality of the OCT probe.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a capacitive touch sensor or a resistive sensor.

4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising circuitry for at least one of (i) recognizing gestures associated with movement of the handpiece, the recognized gestures corresponding to commands relating to the functionality of the OCT probe, or (ii) recognizing patterns associated with handling of the handpiece, the recognized patterns corresponding to commands relating to the functionality of the OCT probe.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the handpiece comprises a second probe connected thereto such that, at the probe tip, a functionality of the second probe is provided, the second probe being selected from the group consisting of: an endoillumination probe, a laser therapy probe, an ultrasound imaging probe, an electrocautery probe, an RF ablation probe, a cryosurgical probe, an irrigator, and a mechanical probe.

6 . A device comprising:

a handpiece having a probe tip disposed at an end thereof and being capable of performing a plurality of functions, the functions being selected from the group consisting of: optical coherence tomography (OCT), endoillumination, laser therapy, ultrasound imaging, electrocauterization, RF ablation, cryosurgery, irrigation, and mechanical manipulation; and

disposed within or on the handpiece, a sensor responsive to at least one of movement or handling of the handpiece for controlling the functions of the probe.

7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a capacitive touch sensor or a resistive sensor.

9 . The device of claim 6 , further comprising circuitry for at least one of (i) recognizing gestures associated with movement of the handpiece, the recognized gestures corresponding to commands relating to the functions, or (ii) recognizing patterns associated with handling of the handpiece, the recognized patterns corresponding to commands relating to the functions.

10 . A system comprising:

a handpiece having a probe tip disposed at an end thereof;

an OCT probe connected to the handpiece such that a functionality of the OCT probe is provided at the probe tip;

a camera for detecting at least one of movement or position of the probe tip; and

operably connected to the OCT probe, circuitry for recognizing gestures associated with movement of the handpiece, the recognized gestures corresponding to commands relating to functions of the OCT probe.

11 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising at least one marker disposed on the handpiece, the camera detecting at least one of movement or position of the probe tip by detecting the at least one marker.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one marker comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the handpiece comprises a second probe connected thereto such that, at the probe tip, a functionality of the second probe is provided, the second probe being selected from the group consisting of: an endoillumination probe, a laser therapy probe, an ultrasound imaging probe, an electrocautery probe, an RF ablation probe, a cryosurgical probe, an irrigator, and a mechanical probe.