Multi-fiber multi-spot laser probe with articulating beam separation
An example probe multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe includes a plurality of optical fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, and a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of optical fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe. A distal pass-through element is positioned within the cannula and at or near the distal end of the cannula and has a groove and/or channel corresponding to each fiber and through which a respective optical fiber passes, and is formed so as to induce a radial rotation of each of the plurality of optical fibers, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula, as the respective optical fiber passes through the distal pass-through element.
1. A multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe, comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, wherein the proximal end of the laser probe is configured to be coupled to a laser source via an adapter interface;
a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of optical fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe; and
a distal pass-through element positioned within the cannula and at or near the distal end of the cannula, the distal pass-through element having a groove or channel corresponding to each of the optical fibers and through which a respective optical fiber passes, the grooves or channels extending through the distal pass-through element and being formed to induce a radial rotation of each of the plurality of optical fibers, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula, as the respective optical fiber passes through the distal pass-through element, so that each of the plurality of optical fibers is positioned to emit light in a distinct and divergent angular direction, with respect to a direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
2. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 1 , wherein the distal pass-through element comprises an additional channel extending through the distal pass-through element at or near the central longitudinal axis of the cannula, and wherein the laser probe further comprises an additional optical fiber extending from the proximal end of the laser probe to at least near the distal end of the laser probe, through the additional channel, so that the additional optical fiber is positioned to emit light in the direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
3. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of each of one or more of the plurality of optical fibers is flat cleaved.
4. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of each of one or more of the plurality of optical fibers is flat polished, to an end-angle of less than about 5 degrees.
5. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 1 , wherein each of one or more of the plurality of fibers has a tapered cross-sectional profile along a portion of the respective fiber at or near the distal end of the respective fiber.
6. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 5 , wherein the tapered cross-sectional profile for at least one of the one or more of the plurality of fibers tapers to a larger cross section near the distal end of the respective fiber, relative to a cross section further from the distal end of the respective fiber.
7. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 5 , wherein the tapered cross-sectional profile for at least one of the one or more of the plurality of fibers tapers to a smaller cross section near the distal end of the respective fiber, relative to a cross section further from the distal end of the respective fiber.
8. A multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe, comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, wherein the proximal end of the laser probe is configured to be coupled to a laser source via an adapter interface;
a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of optical fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe; and
a distal pass-through element affixed to and positioned within the cannula and at or near the distal end of the cannula, the distal pass-through element having a groove or channel corresponding to each of the optical fibers and through which a respective optical fiber passes, the grooves or channels extending through the distal pass-through element in a longitudinal direction, with respect to the cannula;
wherein the cannula is configured to be rotatable around its central axis, relative to the plurality of fibers, along with the affixed distal pass-through element, from (i) a first rotational position in which all of the plurality of fibers are substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula while passing through the distal pass-through element, to (ii) any of a range of other rotational positions in which the grooves or channels of the distal pass-through element induce a radial rotation of each of the plurality of optical fibers, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula, so that the distal end of each of the plurality of optical fibers is positioned to emit light in a distinct and divergent angular direction, with respect to a direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
9. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 8 , wherein the distal pass-through element comprises an additional channel extending through the distal pass-through element at or near the central longitudinal axis of the cannula, and wherein the laser probe further comprises an additional optical fiber extending from the proximal end of the laser probe to at least near the distal end of the laser probe, through the additional channel, so that the additional optical fiber is positioned to emit light in the direction substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cannula.
10. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 8 , wherein the distal end of each of one or more of the plurality of optical fibers is flat cleaved.
11. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 8 , wherein the distal end of each of one or more of the plurality of optical fibers is flat polished, to an end-angle of less than about 5 degrees.
12. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 8 , wherein each of one or more of the plurality of fibers has a tapered cross-sectional profile along a portion of the respective fiber at or near the distal end of the respective fiber.
13. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 12 , wherein the tapered cross-sectional profile for at least one of the one or more of the plurality of fibers tapers to a larger cross section near the distal end of the respective fiber, relative to a cross section further from the distal end of the respective fiber.
14. The multi-spot, multi-fiber, laser probe of claim 12 , wherein the tapered cross-sectional profile for at least one of the one or more of the plurality of fibers tapers to a smaller cross section near the distal end of the respective fiber, relative to a cross section further from the distal end of the respective fiber.