Abstract: A laser system 10 has a laser source 11 which is arranged to emit a high power parallel laser light beam along an optical axis 12 concentric with a socket which is designed slidingly to receive a laser launch system 20. The system 20 includes a focussing lens, is replaceably secured to the socket by means of a spring loaded latch 21, and is arranged to receive a fibre delivery system 25 having a single optical fibre along which focussed laser radiation is directed. Source 11 is controlled in wavelength and power output by a switching arrangement 44 actuated by actuator 45 which carry coded information concerning the particular optical configuration of the systems 20, 25.

Abstract: An optical fibre assembly (10) for transmitting high energy laser radiation comprises a tubular moulded plastics handle (1) having a tubular metallic termination (2) for engagement with a laser radiation source. The other end of handle (1) is connected by a heat shrunk plastics sleeve (6) to a length of plastics tubing (4) the distal end of which incorporates an end formation (5), and a single plastics coated glass cored optical fibre (3) extends through the interior of termination (2), handle (1), plastics tube (4) and termination (5). The assembly (10) is easy and inexpensive to manufacture because of the simplicity of components and assembly thereof and enables the assembly (10) to be used on a once-and-for-all basis, i.e., assembly (10) is disposable.

Abstract: A laser photocoagulator 10, comprises a fibre optic guide 13 one end of which is accommodated by an endoscope 14 and the other end of which has a coupling 18 for connection to a laser 11 and a gas supply 12. Launch optics 32 are accurately located in coupling 18 with respect to end 34A of optical fibre 34 which traverses the length of the guide 13 thereby rendering the guide replaceable without dislocation of the endoscope 14, the laser 11 and the gas supply 12. The coupling 18 comprises separate clamp means for the optical fibre 34 and the optics 32 enabling accurate alignment co-axially and spatially so that the laser output is focussed on the free end 34A of the fibre 34 without any requirement to align the laser 11 accurately with optics 32.