Abstract: An ophthalmic cannula assembly may include a cannula having an outer cannula surface and an inner cylindrical bore. A hub adjoining a proximal end of the cannula may define a maximum outer hub diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the cannula. An optical fiber may be attached to the outer cannula surface for at least a portion of a length of the cannula. A cover material may be in contact with the outer cannula surface, and may cover at least a portion of the optical fiber. A light diffuser may be disposed at a distal tip of the optical fiber.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an illuminated microsurgical instrument system includes a microsurgical instrument having a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure. The tubular member has a distal tip and an outer surface, the outer surface having a flat surface formed therein. The instrument includes a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member and extending toward the distal tip of the tubular member and an optical fiber extending along a length of the flat surface between the tubular member and the sheath member. The instrument may include an opening such as a slot in the distal end of the sheath member to direct exiting air away from the tip of the optical fiber. The instrument may further include a slack chamber, collar structure, and fiber guard member to support and guide the optical fiber to the distal tip.

Abstract: Provided herein is an illuminated microsurgical instrument system and an illuminated microsurgical instrument. In one implementation, the system includes a microsurgical instrument having a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure at an interventional site. The tubular member has a distal tip and an outer surface, the outer surface having a flat surface formed therein. The instrument includes a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member and extending toward the distal tip of the tubular member and an optical fiber extending along a length of the flat surface between the tubular member and the sheath member. The instrument may further include a slack chamber, collar structure, and fiber guard member to support and guide the optical fiber to the distal tip.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize electroactive polymer actuators to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprises an optical probe having a handle sized and shaped for handheld grasping by a user; and a cannula coupled to the handle, the cannula sized and shaped for insertion into an eye to be treated; an optical fiber positioned at least partially within the optical probe, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within the cannula of the optical probe; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator positioned within the optical probe.

Abstract: An illuminated microsurgical instrument is provided herein that includes a microsurgical instrument having a tubular member arranged to treat patient tissue at a surgical site, the tubular member having a distal tip, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a lumen. The outer surface has a notch formed therein. The illuminated microsurgical instrument further includes an optical fiber arranged to deliver light to the surgical site. The optical fiber includes a proximal end arranged to receive a light beam from a light source and also includes a curved distal end arranged to emit light adjacent to the distal tip. A portion of the curved distal end is positioned within the notch and curves away from the tubular member.

Abstract: A scanning optical probe and method includes a cannula, optical fiber, lens, and an actuating mechanism for tilting the optical fiber back and forth within the cannula. An actuator in the probe handle is coupled to various flexing and guide components extending through the cannula and towards the distal end of the scanning optical probe. Reciprocating motion from the actuator is transmitted to the components thereby causing the optical fiber at the distal end of the scanning optical probe to aim across target surfaces. The light emitted from the optical fiber is processed to generate a scan of the target area.

Abstract: The imaging probe can comprise a housing, having a proximal region configured to be coupled to an optical cable; a cannula, extending from a distal region of the housing; an optical guide, positioned partially in the housing and partially in the cannula, configured to receive an imaging light from the cable in the proximal region of the housing, and to guide the imaging light towards a distal end of the cannula; an optical focusing element, configured to receive the imaging light from the optical guide, and to emit a focused imaging light; an elastomeric optical element, configured to receive the focused imaging light from the optical focusing element, and to be deformable to redirect the focused imaging light; and an actuator system, configured to deform the elastomeric optical element to redirect the focused imaging light.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an illuminated microsurgical instrument system includes a microsurgical instrument having a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure. The tubular member has a distal tip and an outer surface, the outer surface having a flat surface formed therein. The instrument includes a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member and extending toward the distal tip of the tubular member and an optical fiber extending along a length of the flat surface between the tubular member and the sheath member. The instrument may include an opening such as a slot in the distal end of the sheath member to direct exiting air away from the tip of the optical fiber. The instrument may further include a slack chamber, collar structure, and fiber guard member to support and guide the optical fiber to the distal tip.

Abstract: Provided herein is an illuminated microsurgical instrument system and an illuminated microsurgical instrument. In one implementation, the system includes a microsurgical instrument having a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure at an interventional site. The tubular member has a distal tip and an outer surface, the outer surface having a flat surface formed therein. The instrument includes a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member and extending toward the distal tip of the tubular member and an optical fiber extending along a length of the flat surface between the tubular member and the sheath member. The instrument may further include a slack chamber, collar structure, and fiber guard member to support and guide the optical fiber to the distal tip.

Abstract: A scanning optical probe and method includes a cannula, optical fiber, lens, and an actuating mechanism for tilting the optical fiber back and forth within the cannula. An actuator in the probe handle is coupled to various flexing and guide components extending through the cannula and towards the distal end of the scanning optical probe. Reciprocating motion from the actuator is transmitted to the components thereby causing the optical fiber at the distal end of the scanning optical probe to aim across target surfaces. The light emitted from the optical fiber is processed to generate a scan of the target area.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a ferrofluid-impregnated medium to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion; an optical fiber positioned within the housing, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within the distal portion of the housing; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a ferrofluid-impregnated medium (FIM) and an electrically energizable coil positioned within the housing.

Abstract: An ophthalmic cannula assembly may include a cannula having an outer cannula surface and an inner cylindrical bore. A hub adjoining a proximal end of the cannula may define a maximum outer hub diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the cannula. An optical fiber may be attached to the outer cannula surface for at least a portion of a length of the cannula. A cover material may be in contact with the outer cannula surface, and may cover at least a portion of the optical fiber. A light diffuser may be disposed at a distal tip of the optical fiber.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a scanning system includes optical elements and a movement system. The optical elements include an optical fiber and a gradient-index (GRIN) lens. The optical fiber has a fiber axis that extends to an imaginary fiber axis, and is configured to transmit a light ray. The GRIN lens has a GRIN perimeter and a GRIN lens optical axis, and is configured to refract the light ray. The movement system moves a first optical element relative to a second optical element in a closed path such that the GRIN lens optical axis substantially aligns with the imaginary fiber axis at at least one point of the path and the GRIN perimeter intersects the imaginary fiber axis at at least two points of the path.

Abstract: An illuminated microsurgical instrument is provided herein that includes a microsurgical instrument having a tubular member arranged to treat patient tissue at a surgical site, the tubular member having a distal tip, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a lumen. The outer surface has a notch formed therein. The illuminated microsurgical instrument further includes an optical fiber arranged to deliver light to the surgical site. The optical fiber includes a proximal end arranged to receive a light beam from a light source and also includes a curved distal end arranged to emit light adjacent to the distal tip. A portion of the curved distal end is positioned within the notch and curves away from the tubular member.

Abstract: An OCT probe for imaging patient tissue may include an actuation system arranged to displace an optical fiber within a cannula. The actuation system may include a driver actuatable to displace a portion of the optical fiber, with the driver acting in an angled direction relative to the axis of the cannula. The actuation system also may include a pivot feature operably engaged with the optical fiber in a manner permitting the optical fiber to pivot on the pivot feature when the driver actuates to displace the portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a scanning system comprises optical elements and a movement system. The optical elements comprise an optical fiber and a focusing element. The optical fiber transmits a light ray and has a fiber axis that extends to an imaginary fiber axis. The focusing element refracts the light ray and has a focusing element optical axis that is substantially aligned with the imaginary fiber axis. The movement system rotates the focusing element about the focusing element optical axis to scan the light ray. In other embodiments, a scanning system comprises optical elements and a movement system. The optical elements comprise an optical fiber, a focusing element, and a prism. The prism has a prism optical axis and receives the light ray from the focusing element. The movement system rotates the prism about the prism optical axis to scan the light ray.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a mechanical structure, such as a lever arm or a flexure mechanism, and an electrically energizable member, such as an actuator, to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a handle; a cannula coupled to the handle; an optical fiber positioned at least partially within the handle and the cannula, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within a distal portion of the cannula; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a mechanical structure and an electrically energizable member configured to selectively impart motion to the mechanical structure upon the electrically energizable member being electrically energized.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a mechanical structure, such as a lever arm or a flexure mechanism, and an electrically energizable member, such as an actuator, to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a handle; a cannula coupled to the handle; an optical fiber positioned at least partially within the handle and the cannula, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within a distal portion of the cannula; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a mechanical structure and an electrically energizable member configured to selectively impart motion to the mechanical structure upon the electrically energizable member being electrically energized.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a ferrofluid-impregnated medium to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion; an optical fiber positioned within the housing, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within the distal portion of the housing; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a ferrofluid-impregnated medium (FIM) and an electrically energizable coil positioned within the housing.

Abstract: The imaging probe can comprise a housing, having a proximal region configured to be coupled to an optical cable; a cannula, extending from a distal region of the housing; an optical guide, positioned partially in the housing and partially in the cannula, configured to receive an imaging light from the cable in the proximal region of the housing, and to guide the imaging light towards a distal end of the cannula; an optical focusing element, configured to receive the imaging light from the optical guide, and to emit a focused imaging light; an elastomeric optical element, configured to receive the focused imaging light from the optical focusing element, and to be deformable to redirect the focused imaging light; and an actuator system, configured to deform the elastomeric optical element to redirect the focused imaging light.