Multi-fiber multi-spot laser probe with simplified tip construction

A multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe, comprising:

• a plurality of fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, wherein the proximal end of the laser probe is configured to be coupled to a laser source;
• a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe;
• and
• a spacer arranged within the cannula along a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe, the spacer being configured to guide at least one of the plurality of the fibers so that a distal portion of each of the at least one of the plurality of fibers is oriented at an angle, relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula;
• wherein the spacer comprises a longitudinal channel disposed generally along a central longitudinal axis of the spacer and extending to at or near the distal end of the laser probe, and wherein the multi-fiber, multi-spot, laser probe further comprises a longitudinal fiber arranged in the longitudinal channel and extending to at or near the distal end of the laser probe;
• wherein the longitudinal fiber has a different diameter than each of the plurality of fibers;
• wherein the plurality of fibers do not include the longitudinal fiber;
• wherein the spacer is a helical spacer, the helical spacer being configured so that each of the at least one of the plurality of fibers is arranged in a helical configuration, near the distal end of the laser probe;
• and
• wherein the spacer is configured to bend the distal portion of each of the at least one of the plurality of fibers so that the distal portion of each of the at least one of the plurality of fibers in the helical configuration is tangentially angularly separated from a distal portion of another one of the plurality of fibers and each of the at least one of the plurality of fibers emits a beam in a different direction diverging from the longitudinal axis.