US 11,980,575 B2
Multi-core fiber for a multi-spot laser probe
Chenguang Diao, Irvine, CA (US); Mark Harrison Farley, Laguna Hills, CA (US); Alireza Mirsepassi, Irvine, CA (US); Ronald T. Smith, Irvine, CA (US); and Dean Richardson, Aliso Viejo, CA (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/411,563.
Application 17/411,563 is a continuation of application No. 16/218,333, filed on Dec. 12, 2018, granted, now 11,135,092.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/630,865, filed on Feb. 15, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/622,299, filed on Jan. 26, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/598,653, filed on Dec. 14, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/597,550, filed on Dec. 12, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0386588 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 9/008 (2006.01); A61B 18/22 (2006.01); A61B 18/24 (2006.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01); G02B 6/38 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/20 (2006.01); G02B 6/02 (2006.01); G02B 6/42 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00821 (2013.01) [A61B 18/22 (2013.01); A61B 18/24 (2013.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.02); A61F 9/008 (2013.01); A61F 9/00823 (2013.01); G02B 6/3843 (2013.01); G02B 6/3851 (2013.01); G02B 6/3885 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00779 (2013.01); A61B 2018/2025 (2013.01); A61B 2018/2065 (2013.01); A61B 2018/208 (2013.01); A61B 2018/2211 (2013.01); A61B 2018/2255 (2013.01); A61B 2018/2266 (2013.01); A61B 2018/2294 (2013.01); A61B 2090/306 (2016.02); A61F 2009/00863 (2013.01); G02B 6/02042 (2013.01); G02B 6/4206 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-spot laser probe system comprising: a laser source;
a diffractive optical element (DOE) in optical communication with the laser source;
a probe body shaped and sized for grasping by a user;
a probe tip comprising a cannula configured for insertion into an eye;
a graded-index (GRIN) lens disposed in the cannula;
a protective window at a distal end portion of the cannula;
a multi-core optical fiber (MCF) extending at least partially through the cannula, the MCF comprising:
a plurality of cores with uniform core diameters and spacing;
a cladding, the cladding surrounding the plurality of cores, a refractive index of one or more of the plurality of cores being greater than a refractive index of the cladding;
a proximal end in optical communication with the DOE;
and a distal end disposed at an interface with the GRIN lens;
wherein the DOE is configured to split laser light from the laser source to create a multi-spot pattern of laser beams into an interface plane of the proximal end of the MCF to transmit the multi-spot pattern of laser beams down the plurality of cores of the MCF;
wherein the multi-spot pattern of laser beams is configured to align with the uniform core diameters and spacing of the plurality of cores; and
wherein the GRIN lens is disposed between the distal end of the MCF and the protective window.