Multi-fiber multi-spot laser probe with simplified tip construction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018243136-A1
Application number	US-201815900534-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 20, 2018
Priority date	Feb 28, 2017
Publication date	Aug 30, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An example multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe comprises a plurality of fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, where the proximal end of the laser probe is configured to be coupled to a laser source via an adapter interface, and a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe, where a distal end of each of the plurality of fibers is angle-polished so that the distal end of each fiber is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula and relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. Additional embodiments employ lensed fibers, a distal window, ball lens, lens array, or faceted wedge.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe, comprising:
a plurality of 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; and a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe;
wherein a distal end of each of the plurality of fibers is angle-polished so that the distal end face of each fiber is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula and relative to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

2 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 1 , wherein the angled-polished distal ends of the fibers are oriented such that the distal ends of the plurality of fibers emit corresponding beams that converge towards the longitudinal axis of the cannula, at a point beyond the distal end of the laser probe.

3 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 1 , wherein the angled-polished distal ends of the fibers are oriented such that the distal ends of the plurality of fibers emit corresponding beams that diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

4 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 3 , further comprising a window element situated at or near the distal end of the cannula and arranged so that the corresponding beams pass through the window element.

5 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 4 , further comprising a fluid, gel, adhesive, or sealant disposed inside the cannula, between the window element and the distal ends of the plurality of fibers.

6 . A multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe, comprising:
a plurality of 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 fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe; and a spacer arranged within the cannula along a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe, the spacer being configured to guide at least one of the plurality of the fibers so that a distal portion of each of at least one of the plurality of fibers is oriented at an angle, relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula.

7 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 6 , wherein the spacer is a helical spacer, the helical spacer being configured so that the plurality of fibers are arranged in a helical configuration, near the distal end of the laser probe.

8 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 6 , wherein the spacer is configured to force a distal portion of each of the plurality fibers in an angular direction away from the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

9 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 6 , wherein the spacer is configured to force a distal portion of each of the plurality fibers in an angular direction towards the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

10 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 6 , wherein the spacer is configured to bend a distal portion of each of one or more of the plurality of fibers angularly, in corresponding offset planes relative to orthogonal central planes intersecting the longitudinal axis of the cannula, so that beams emitted from the distal ends of the fibers diverge.

11 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of fibers has a tapered cross-section, near the distal end of the fibers.

12 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 11 , wherein each fiber is tapered so as to have a larger cross-section near the distal end, relative to its cross-section further towards the proximal end of the laser probe.

13 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 11 , wherein each fiber is tapered so as to have a smaller cross-section near the distal end, relative to its cross-section further towards the proximal end of the laser probe.

14 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 6 , wherein the spacer comprises a longitudinal channel disposed generally along a central longitudinal axis of the spacer and extending to at or near the distal end of the laser probe, and wherein the multi-fiber, multi-spot, laser probe further comprises an additional fiber arranged in the longitudinal channel and extending to at or near the distal end of the laser probe.

15 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 14 , wherein the additional fiber has a different diameter than each of the plurality of fibers.

16 . A multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe, comprising:
a plurality of 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 fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe; and a lens mechanism arranged within the cannula at or near the distal end of the laser probe, the lens mechanism being arranged so that beams emitted from the distal ends of the fibers pass through the lens mechanism;
wherein the lens mechanism does not comprise a gradient-index (GRIN) lens.

17 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 16 , wherein the lens mechanism is formed from fused silica.

18 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 16 , wherein the lens mechanism comprises a lensed distal end arranged on each of the plurality of fibers.

19 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 16 , wherein the lens mechanism comprises a micro-lens array having a plurality of lens elements disposed adjacent to corresponding distal ends of the plurality of fibers.

20 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 16 , wherein the lens mechanism comprises a single ball lens disposed adjacent to distal ends of the plurality of fibers, so that beams emitted by the plurality of fibers pass through the single ball lens.

21 . The multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe of claim 16 , wherein the lens mechanism comprises a plano-convex lens disposed adjacent to distal ends of the plurality of fibers, and wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of fibers is angle-polished so that the distal end is angled relative to a radial axis of the cannula and relative to every perpendicular to the radial axis of the cannula, with the angled-polished distal ends of the fibers being oriented such that the distal ends of the plurality of fibers emit corresponding beams that converge towards the radial axis of the cannula.

22 . A multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe, comprising:
a plurality of 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 fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe; and a micro-wedge array arranged within the cannula at or near the distal end of the laser probe, the

Assignees

• Novartis Ag

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A61B2018/2005

  with beam delivery through an interstitially insertable device, e.g. needle · CPC title

• G02B6/06

  the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images · 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

• A61B2018/2216

  Braided or helically wound · CPC title

• A61B2018/2266

  with a lens, e.g. ball tipped · CPC title