Multi-core fiber for a multi-spot laser probe

A multi-spot laser probe system comprising:

• a laser source;
• a diffractive optical element (DOE) in optical communication with the laser source;
• a multi-core optical fiber (MCF) comprising a plurality of cores surrounded by a cladding, wherein the plurality of cores have uniform core diameters and spacing, and wherein a refractive index of one or more of the plurality of cores is greater than a refractive index of the cladding, wherein a proximal end of the MCF is in optical communication with the DOE, and wherein a distal end of the MCF is disposed at an interface with a graded-index (GRIN) lens;
• a probe comprising a probe tip coupled with the distal end of the MCF;
• and a protective window at a distal end portion of a cannula;
• wherein the GRIN lens is located at a distal end of the probe tip;
• wherein the distal end of the MCF terminates at an interface with the GRIN lens;
• wherein the DOE is configured to split laser light from the laser source to create a multi-spot pattern of laser beams into an interface plane of the proximal end of the MCF to transmit the multi-spot pattern of laser beams down the plurality of cores of the MCF;
• wherein the multi-spot pattern is configured to align with the uniform core diameters and spacing of the plurality of cores;
• and
• wherein the GRIN lens is disposed between the distal end of the MCF and the protective window.

A method of applying a multi-spot laser beam pattern, the method comprising:

• generating a laser light beam by a laser source;
• collimating the laser light beam;
• directing the collimated laser light beam to a diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to create a multi-spot pattern of laser light beams;
• directing the multi-spot pattern of laser light beams to a condensing lens;
• focusing the multi-spot pattern of laser light beams into an interface plane of a proximal end of a multi-core optical fiber (MCF) such that each of the laser light beams in the multi-spot pattern of laser light beams is transmitted into one of a plurality of cores of the MCF and propagated there along, the plurality of cores having uniform core diameters and spacing and wherein the plurality of cores are surrounded by a cladding, wherein a refractive index of each of the plurality of cores being greater than a refractive index of the cladding;
• transmitting the multi-spot pattern of laser light beams to the distal end of the MCF, wherein the laser light beams of the multi-spot pattern are transmitted down the plurality of cores of the MCF, wherein the multi-spot pattern is configured to align with the uniform core diameters and spacing of the plurality of cores;
• and
• directing the multi-spot pattern of laser light beams through a lens at a distal tip of a surgical probe.