Endoillumination using decentered fiber launch

Abstract

An endoilluminator system includes an endoilluminator probe and an illumination source. The endoilluminator probe includes a nano-scale optical fiber and a probe fiber connector, and the illumination source includes a source fiber connector. The illumination source is configured to produce an illumination spot at the source fiber connector having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a fiber core of the nano-scale optical fiber. The probe fiber connector and the source connector are configured when connected to align the illumination spot off-center relative to the nano-scale optical fiber such that the angular distribution of light emitted by the nano-scale optical fiber is increased relative to aligning the illumination spot at a center of the nano-scale optical fiber.

Description

[0001] related application [0002] This application requires August 9, 2011 Submitted U.S. provisional application serial number 61 / 521，450 priority, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] Embodiments described herein relate to the field of microsurgical probes. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to the field of endoillumination using off-center fiber optic launches. Background technique [0004] The field of microsurgical procedures is rapidly evolving. Typically, these procedures involve the use of probes that are able to reach the tissue being treated or diagnosed. Such procedures utilize an endoscopic surgical instrument with a probe coupled to a controller device in a remote console. Prior art probes are rather complex to operate, often requiring moving parts that operate using complex mechanical systems. In many cases, electric motors are included in the probe design. The cost of most prior art d...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These two considerations make it difficult to manufacture small format inner illuminators

Images