ILLUMINATION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING A MULTIMODE FIBER OPTIC TO PROVIDE VARIABLE ILLUMINATION SCHEMES

1 . An ophthalmic illumination system, comprising:

a multimode fiber optic having an end; and

a first laser source, the system configured to project light into the end at a plurality of different angles.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a mount having at least one of the fiber optic and the first laser source coupled thereto, the mount configured to permit relative movement between the fiber optic and the first laser source such that the first laser source can project light into the end at a plurality of different angles.

3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second laser source positioned to project light into the end at a fixed angle that is determined independently of the plurality of different angles.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the second laser source provides the light along an optical axis of the fiber optic.

5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the mount is rotatable relative to the end.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the mount is continuously rotatable relative to the end.

7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a handpiece in which a second end of the multimode fiber optic is disposed.

8 . An ophthalmic illumination system, comprising:

a multimode fiber optic having an end;

a first light source adapted to produce light of a first color;

a second light source adapted to produce light of a second color; and

a beam combiner configured and arranged to receive and combine the light from the first light source and the light from the second light source to form a combination of light, and the beam combiner configured and arranged to project the combination of light into the end,

the system adapted to permit variation of at least one of the amount of the light of the first color and the amount of the light of the second color projected into the end,

whereby the combination of light has a selectable color.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first light source comprises a laser.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first light source comprises an LED.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the system is adapted to permit manual variation of at least one of the amount of the light of the first color and the amount of the light of the second color projected into the end.

12 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a processor, wherein the processor is adapted to vary at least one of the amount of the light of the first color and the amount of the light of the second color projected into the end.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to project the combination of light into the end at a plurality of different angles.

14 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

a third light source adapted to produce light of a third color;

a fourth light source adapted to produce light of a fourth color; and

a second beam combiner configured and arranged to receive and combine the light from the third light source and the light from the fourth light source to form a second combination of light, and the second beam combiner configured and arranged to project the second combination of light into the end.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the system is adapted to vary at least one of the amount of the light of the third color and the amount of the light of the fourth color projected into the end, whereby the second combination of light has a selectable color.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the system is configured to project the second combination into the end at a fixed angle.