Grin fiber multi-spot laser probe

1. A surgical probe, comprising:

a cannula assembly, having

a graded index (GRIN) fiber that is configured to receive a multi-spot light beam at a proximal end and to emit the multi-spot light beam at a distal end, and a cannula encasing the GRIN fiber;

a handpiece coupled to the cannula assembly with a proximal portion of the GRIN fiber extending into a proximal end of the handpiece, the handpiece configured to be manipulated by a surgeon or a surgical machine to control positioning of the distal end of the GRIN fiber; and

an adapter, having

a distal end configured to receive the proximal portion of the handpiece containing the proximal portion of the GRIN fiber,

a proximal end, configured to couple to a light guide via a connector and to receive a light delivered by the light guide from a laser source to the adapter, and

an interface configured between the distal end of the adapter and the proximal end of the adapter;

wherein the interface is outside a patient's eye when the cannula is inserted into the patient's eye during a photocoagulation procedure;

wherein the proximal end of the GRIN fiber is spaced from a distal end of the light guide by a pre-selected distance inside the adapter thereby coupling the light delivered by the light guide to the proximal end of the GRIN fiber in the adapter;

wherein the cannula is removably docked to the adapter.

2. The surgical probe of claim 1 , the light guide comprising:

a fiber bundle.

3. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the light guide comprises a single optical fiber; and

the adapter comprises, at the interface,

a lens, optically coupled to the optical fiber; and

a diffractive beam splitter, optically coupled to the lens.

4. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein the handpiece is further configured for providing a heat exchange system.

5. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the cannula comprises a high thermal-conductivity metal.

6. The cannula assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the GRIN fiber is encased into the cannula with a highly heat-conducting adhesive along a length of the GRIN fiber.

7. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the cannula assembly is disposable, and

the adapter is not disposable.

8. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the surgical probe is optically coupled to a surgical light system, comprising

a light source, configured to provide light for the light guide; and

a control processor, configured to control an operation of the surgical light system.

9. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the adapter comprises a heat exchange structure.

10. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the GRIN fiber has a diameter between 200 microns and 500 microns.

11. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the proximal end of the GRIN fiber is coated with an anti-reflective coating.

12. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the proximal end of the GRIN fiber is cut at an angle relative to the axis of symmetry of the GRIN fiber.

13. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the GRIN fiber comprises a cylindrical core having a refractive index that varies radially.

14. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the handpiece is longitudinally aligned with a proximal portion of the GRIN fiber.

15. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the handpiece is adjacent to the adapter.

16. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the proximal end of the GRIN fiber is disposed within the adapter.

17. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

a proximal end of the cannula disposed within the adapter.

18. The surgical probe of claim 1 , wherein:

the proximal end of the GRIN fiber and the distal end of the light guide are aligned along a lumen of the adapter.