Thermally robust laser probe assembly
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a thermally robust laser probe assembly comprising a cannula, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location. The probe assembly further comprises a lens housed in the cannula and a protective component press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein the lens is positioned between the one or more optical fibers and the protective component.
1. A probe assembly, comprising:
a multi-core optical fiber;
a nitinol cannula, wherein the multi-core optical fiber extends at least partially through the nitinol cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location;
a gradient index (GRIN) lens housed in the cannula, wherein the multi-core optical fiber touches a proximal end of the GRIN lens; and
a cylindrical sapphire window press-fitted to a distal end of the nitinol cannula, wherein a distal end of the GRIN lens touches a proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window inside the nitinol cannula and wherein a distal end of the cylindrical sapphire window extends outside the nitinol cannula, wherein the GRIN lens is positioned between the multi-core optical fiber and the cylindrical sapphire window and wherein the GRIN lens is external to the cylindrical sapphire window.
2. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window comprises transparent material.
3. The probe assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window has optical power.
4. The probe assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window is without optical power.
5. The probe assembly of claim 1 ,
wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window comprises a convex surface.
6. The probe assembly of claim 1 ,
wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window comprises a spherical segment.
7. The probe assembly of claim 1 ,
wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window comprises a molded aspherical segment.
8. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein
the proximal end of the GRIN lens is curved.
9. The probe assembly of claim 8 , wherein the proximal end of the GRIN lens is spherical.
10. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein
the distal end of the GRIN lens is curved.
11. The probe assembly of claim 10 , wherein the proximal end of the GRIN lens is spherical.
12. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window is press-fitted such that the cylindrical sapphire window reduces leakage of material into the nitinol cannula.
13. A surgical system, comprising:
a laser source;
a multi-core optical fiber;
a probe assembly connected to the laser source through the multi-core optical fiber, the probe assembly comprising:
a hand-piece connected to a nitinol cannula, the nitinol cannula comprising a distal end, wherein the multi-core optical fiber extends through the hand-piece and at least partially through the nitinol cannula for transmitting laser light from the laser source to a target location;
a GRIN lens housed in the cannula, wherein the multi-core optical fiber touches a proximal end of the GRIN lens; and
a cylindrical sapphire window press-fitted to the distal end of the nitinol cannula, wherein a distal end of the GRIN lens touches a proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window inside the nitinol cannula and wherein a distal end of the cylindrical sapphire window extends outside the nitinol cannula, wherein the GRIN lens is positioned between the multi-core optical fiber and the cylindrical sapphire window and wherein the GRIN lens is external to the cylindrical sapphire window.
14. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window comprises transparent material.
15. The surgical system of claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window has optical power.
16. The surgical system of claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window is without optical power.
17. The surgical system of claim 13 ,
wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window comprises a convex surface.
18. The surgical system of claim 13 ,
wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window comprises a spherical segment.
19. The surgical system of claim 13 ,
wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical sapphire window comprises a molded aspherical segment.
20. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical sapphire window is press-fitted such that the cylindrical sapphire window reduces leakage of material into the nitinol cannula.