Thermally robust laser probe assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11844726-B2
Application number	US-202217661336-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 29, 2022
Priority date	Dec 12, 2017
Publication date	Dec 19, 2023
Grant date	Dec 19, 2023

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A probe assembly, comprising:
a multi-core optical fiber;
a cannula, wherein the multi-core optical fiber extends at least partially through the 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 window press-fitted to a distal end of the cannula, wherein a distal end of the GRIN lens touches a proximal end of the cylindrical window inside the cannula, wherein a distal end of the cylindrical window extends outside the cannula, and wherein the GRIN lens is positioned between the multi-core optical fiber and the cylindrical window.

2. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical window comprises a transparent material.

3. The probe assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical window has optical power.

4. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cannula is stainless steel.

5. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical window comprises a convex surface.

6. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical window comprises a spherical segment.

7. The probe assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical 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 window is press-fitted such that the cylindrical window reduces leakage of material into the 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 cannula, the cannula comprising a distal end, wherein

the multi-core optical fiber extends through the hand-piece and at least partially through the 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 window press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein a distal end of the GRIN lens touches a proximal end of the cylindrical window inside the cannula, wherein a distal end of the cylindrical window extends outside the cannula,

and wherein the GRIN lens is positioned between the multi-core optical fiber and the cylindrical window.

14. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical window comprises a transparent material.

15. The surgical system of claim 14 , wherein the cylindrical window has optical power.

16. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the cannula is stainless steel.

17. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical window comprises a convex surface.

18. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical window comprises a spherical segment.

19. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the cylindrical window comprises a molded aspherical segment.

20. The surgical system of claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical window is press-fitted such that the cylindrical window reduces leakage of material into the cannula.

Assignees

• Alcon Inc

Inventors

• Cook Christopher
• Diao Chenguang
• Farley Mark Harrison
• Mirsepassi Alireza
• Parto Kambiz
• Smith Ronald T

Classifications

• A61B2018/2244

  Features of optical fibre cables, e.g. claddings · CPC title

• A61B2018/2205

  Characteristics of fibres · CPC title

• A61B18/20

  using laser · CPC title

• A61F9/00821 Primary

  for coagulation · CPC title

• A61B18/22

  the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; {Couplings or} hand-pieces therefor · CPC title