Methods and apparatus for coupling an optical input to an illumination device

A method for coupling a fiber optic input to an illumination element, comprising:

• providing a fiber optic input comprising one or more optical fibers;
• providing an illumination element configured to receive light from the fiber optic input and emit the light toward a surgical field, wherein a proximal end of the illumination element comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion that extend proximally from a proximal-facing surface of the illumination element, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion on are on opposing sides of the proximal-facing surface of the illumination element, wherein the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the proximal-facing surface of the illumination element define a receptacle of the illumination element;
• providing an optical coupling bracket for coupling the fiber optic input to the illumination element, wherein the optical coupling bracket comprises a frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central channel extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
• inserting the one or more optical fibers through the proximal end and into the central channel of the optical coupling bracket;
• and
• coupling the optical coupling bracket to the illumination element by inserting the optical coupling bracket in the receptacle of the illumination element between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.