Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable, and delivering the multiplexed light onto patient anatomy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable, and delivering the multiplexed light onto patient anatomy.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) includes an inflatable balloon (104), an optical fiber (122), and a laser (124). The optical fiber (122) has a distal end positioned within the inflatable balloon (104). The optical fiber (122) receives an energy pulse (431) to emit light energy in a direction away from the optical fiber (122) to generate a plasma pulse (134) within the inflatable balloon (104). The laser (124) includes a seed source (126) that emits a seed pulse (342) and an amplifier (128) that increases energy of the seed pulse (342) so that the laser (124) generates the energy pulse (431) that is received by the optical fiber (122), the energy pulse (431) having a waveform with a duration T, a minimum power PO, a peak power PP, and a time from PO to PP equal to TP.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) includes a light guide (122A) and a light source (124). The light guide (122A) is configured to selectively receive light energy. The light source (124) generates the light energy. The light source (124) is in optical communication with the light guide (122A). The light source can include (i) a seed source (260) that outputs the light energy, (ii) a pre-amplifier (262) that receives the light energy from the seed source (260), the pre-amplifier (262) being in optical communication with the seed source (260), and (iii) an amplifier (264) that receives the light energy from the pre-amplifier (262), the amplifier (264) being in optical communication with the pre-amplifier (262) and the light guide (122A).

Abstract: Certain embodiments describe an endoilluminator comprising a probe housing an optical fiber. The probe comprises a distal end with an opening through which a first light from a distal end of the optical fiber is configured to be propagated. The probe comprises one or more side openings through which a second light from one or more sides of the optical fiber is configured to be propagated. The endoilluminator also comprises a handpiece coupled to a light source and the proximal end of the probe, wherein the light source is configured to drive light into the optical fiber.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for sensing occlusions in an optical system includes a first laser source configured to generate optical signals and a set of optical elements arranged to receive the optical signals from the first laser source and to direct the optical signals along a beam path. The system also includes a detector arranged to receive reflections of the optical signals traveling along at least a portion of the beam path and a control system communicably coupled to the detector. The control system is configured to detect, based on signals generated by the detector, reflection signals associated with the reflections of the optical signals, and disable a second laser source based on detection of the reflection signals.

Abstract: A catheter system includes an inflatable balloon, an optical fiber and a laser. The optical fiber has a distal end positioned within the inflatable balloon. The optical fiber receives an energy pulse to emit light energy in a direction away from the optical fiber to generate a plasma pulse within the inflatable balloon. The laser includes a seed source that emits a seed pulse, and an amplifier that increases energy of the seed pulse. The energy pulse can have a somewhat square or triangular waveform with a duration T, a minimum power P0, a peak power PP, and a time from P0 to PP equal to TP, wherein TP is not greater than 40% of T. T can be within the range of greater than 50 ns and less than 3 ?s. TP can be within the range of greater than 2.5 ns and less than 1 ?s. PP can be within the range of greater than 50 kW and less than 1000 kW. A ratio in kW to ns of PP to TP can be greater than 1:5. The seed pulse can at least partially increase in amplitude over time.

Abstract: Certain embodiments describe an endoilluminator comprising a probe housing an optical fiber. The probe comprises a distal end with an opening through which a first light from a distal end of the optical fiber is configured to be propagated. The probe comprises one or more side openings through which a second light from one or more sides of the optical fiber is configured to be propagated. The endoilluminator also comprises a handpiece coupled to a light source and the proximal end of the probe, wherein the light source is configured to drive light into the optical fiber.

Abstract: Mechanical optics for mode mixing may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A mechanical optical element, such as a rotating prism or a mirror membrane, may impart motion to an incident beam entering the optical fiber to generate a homogeneous illumination field from a coherent light source.

Abstract: Pixelated array optics for mode mixing may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A pixelated phase array, such as a digital micromirror device or an LCD phase plate, may impart motion to an incident beam entering the optical fiber to generate a homogeneous illumination field from a coherent light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring pulsed laser output. An example system comprises a laser configured to emit output in pulses; at least one sensor positioned to sense laser output and configured to convert that output into electrical signals; an edge detector configured to detect at least leading edges of a plurality of laser pulses; an analog to digital converter configured to convert electrical signals from a sensor into digital signals indicative of laser power output; and a controller; wherein, based on the detection of at least the leading edges of the laser pulses, the controller is configured to obtain samples of laser power output during the laser pulses. The system may refrain from sampling laser power output between laser pulses or may sample laser power output between laser pulses at a reduced sample rate. The system may use the samples of laser power output in a feedback loop to automatically adjust laser power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vitreous visualization system including a general light source, a general conduit that transmits light from the general light source through a conduit portion of a general illumination optical fiber, and a combined vitreous visualization and general illumination tool that receives light from the general conduit. The combined vitreous visualization tool includes a vitreous visualization light source, a controller for the vitreous visualization light source, a vitreous visualization optical fiber, a tool portion of the general illumination optical fiber, and a probe tip through which at least parts of both the vitreous visualization optical fiber and the tool portion of the general illumination optical fiber pass.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a vitrectomy system is adapted to use photodisruption to rupture eye tissue. In some aspects, a photodisruption-based vitrectomy system includes a laser source configured to generate optical pulses having a pulse energy greater than a threshold energy for causing photodisruption in vitreous humor. The system also includes an optical switching device arranged to receive an output of the laser source, and an optical fiber with multiple cores that is arranged to receive an output of the optical switching device. The optical switching device is configured to select a core of the optical fiber and direct optical pulses received from the laser source into the selected core.

Abstract: Focusing optics for mode mixing may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A vibration stage may impart mechanical motion to a condenser lens to generate a homogeneous illumination field from a coherent light source.

Abstract: Fiber-based mode mixing techniques may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A vibrating fiber mechanism may impart mechanical motion to a portion of the optical fiber to generate a homogeneous illumination field from a coherent light source.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for sensing occlusions in an optical system includes a first laser source configured to generate optical signals and a set of optical elements arranged to receive the optical signals from the first laser source and to direct the optical signals along a beam path. The system also includes a detector arranged to receive reflections of the optical signals travelling along at least a portion of the beam path and a control system communicably coupled to the detector. The control system is configured to detect, based on signals generated by the detector, reflection signals associated with the reflections of the optical signals, and disable a second laser source based on detection of the reflection signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for monitoring phototoxicity caused by vitreous visualization device (“VVD”) illumination during ophthalmic surgery. The systems and methods determine the cumulative amount of optical energy incident on the retina, which corresponds to phototoxicity, the distance between a cutter of the VVD and the retina, and areas where the vitreous has been removed, or any combination thereof. The disclosure further provides a method for monitoring and preventing phototoxicity caused by VVD illumination during ophthalmic surgery. The method may further include determining the distance between a cutter of the VVD and the retina, and determining areas where the vitreous has been removed based on focus areas of the retina that the plurality of light spots has contacted.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vitreous visualization system including a vitreous illuminator including a vitreous visualization light source and a vitreous visualization tool that transmits lights from the vitreous visualization light source into an eye having vitreous, a pupil, and a vitreous-pupil axis. The vitreous visualization system further includes a general illuminator, which may include a general light source and a general illumination tool that transmits light from the general light source into the eye. The present disclosure further provided a vitreous visualization system including only a vitreous illuminator that transmits light from the vitreous visualization light source into an eye having vitreous, a pupil, a vitreous-pupil axis, and a retina at an angle B with the vitreous-pupil axis of the eye such that the brightness of vitreous in the eye is higher than the brightness of the retina of the eye.

Abstract: Frequency-based mode mixing may be used to homogenize different modes in an optical fiber used for surgical illumination. A laser modulator may introduce frequency modulation to laser light to generate a homogeneous illumination field due to increased mode mixing in the optical fiber.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vitrectomy probe for treating an eye of a patient. In one or more embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include a body, and a disruption element extending from the body, wherein the disruption element includes a needle having a main lumen and a port at a distal end thereof. The disruption element may further include an ultraviolet (UV) optical fiber projecting a UV laser beam for irradiating an area proximate the port. In some embodiments, a UV light source is optically connected with the UV optical fiber, the UV light source generating the UV laser beam in a spectral range of approximately 190-220 nanometers to target collagen fibers of a vitreous material entering the port.