Minimally invasive optical forward viewing probe

A method of operating an optical probe assembly, the optical probe assembly comprising:

• a lens assembly extending along a central axis for optically coupling to an optical fiber, the lens assembly comprising a forward facing exit window, the exit window having an exit lens with a convex exit surface, the exit lens extending from a periphery of the exit window and terminating partway across the exit window, such that the exit lens occupies less than a full width of the exit window and leaves an unlensed region across the exit window, the convex exit surface of the exit lens being tilted inwardly relative to the central axis, the method comprising:
• conveying light from the optical fiber to the exit lens and bending the light forwardly with the exit lens out of the exit window at an outward angle relative to the central axis;
• and
• rotating the exit lens about the central axis and directing the light forwardly in an expanding conical pattern for creating images forward of the probe assembly.

A method of operating an optical probe assembly, the optical probe assembly comprising:

• a lens assembly extending along a central axis for optically coupling to an optical fiber, the lens assembly comprising a connecting portion that is integrally formed together with a forward facing exit window, the connecting portion including a connecting recess extending along the central axis for receiving a distal end of the optical fiber, the exit window having an exit lens, the lens assembly including an angled surface spaced apart from a distal end of the connecting recess of the connecting portion along the central axis, the method comprising:
• with the angled surface, bending light received from the optical fiber forwardly towards the exit lens at an outward angle relative to the central axis, and the exit lens further bending light received from the angled surface forwardly out of the exit window at a further outward angle relative to the central axis;
• and
• rotating the exit lens about the central axis and directing the light forwardly in an expanding conical pattern for creating images forward of the probe assembly.