MULTI-SPOT LASER SURGICAL PROBE USING FACETED OPTICAL ELEMENTS

• US 20130041356A1
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Smith, Ronald T., Zica, Michael Arthur, Bouch, Dustin Jacob
• Application Number:
  US13/565,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20130041356A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/201 with beam delivery through a hollow tube, e.g. forming an articulated arm through a flexible conduit A61B18/22; Hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2277 with refractive surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00863 Retina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00821 for coagulation

Abstract

In particular embodiments of the present invention, an optical surgical probe includes a handpiece configured to optically couple to a light source and a cannula at a distal end of the handpiece. The probe further includes at least one light guide within the handpiece. The light guide is configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece. The probe also includes a multi-spot generator in the cannula that includes a faceted optical adhesive with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide. The faceted end surface includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam. In some embodiments, the probe also includes a high-conductivity ferrule at the distal end of the light guide. In other embodiments, the cannula is formed from a transparent material.

Claims

1. An optical surgical probe comprising:

a handpiece, the handpiece configured to optically couple to a light source;

a cannula at a distal end of the handpiece;

at least one light guide within the handpiece;

the at least one light guide configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece;

a multi-spot generator in the cannula, the multi-spot generator including a faceted optical adhesive with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide, the faceted end surface including at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam; and

a high-conductivity ferrule at the distal end of the light guide.

2. The probe of claim 1, wherein the high-conductivity ferrule is formed of silver.

3. The probe of claim 1, wherein the high-conductivity ferrule is formed of copper.

4. The probe of claim 1, wherein the high-conductivity ferrule comprises a side shield shielding the cannula from reflected light from the faceted optical adhesive.

5. The probe of claim 1, wherein the high-conductivity ferrule has a thermal conductivity of at least 372 W/m-K.

6. An optical surgical probe comprising:

a handpiece, the handpiece configured to optically couple to a light source;

a transparent cannula at a distal end of the handpiece;

at least one light guide within the handpiece;

the at least one light guide configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece;

a multi-spot generator in the cannula, the multi-spot generator including a faceted optical adhesive with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide, the faceted end surface including at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam,

7. The probe of claim 6, wherein the transparent cannula is translucent.

8. The probe of claim 6, wherein the transparent cannula is frosted.

9. The probe of claim 6, wherein the transparent cannula further comprises a highly-reflective coating on an exterior of the cannula.

10. The probe of claim 6, wherein the transparent cannula is surrounded by an opaque outer cannula separated from the transparent cannula by an air gap.