Adjustable laser probe for use in vitreoretinal surgery

A surgical probe comprising:

• a handpiece defining a first internal channel;
• a rigid cannula fixed to said handpiece to prevent relative translational movement therebetween, said cannula having a second internal channel extending to a distal tip;
• an optical fiber extending through said first and second internal channels, said optical fiber having a distal end portion positionable adjacent said distal tip, said distal end portion having a preformed bend that is straightened when in a retracted position within said rigid cannula, and that is curved when in an extended position in which said distal end portion extends beyond said distal tip of said rigid cannula, said distal end portion extending substantially within a plane when in said extended position;
• a button fixedly attached to said optical fiber, said button being selectively translatable to cause corresponding translational movement of said optical fiber relative to said handpiece, thereby causing said distal end portion of said optical fiber to move between said retracted and extended positions, said button extending in a radial direction relative to an axis of said cannula, said radial direction extending substantially within said plane, substantially in said radial direction;
• and
• a rigid sleeve enclosing a portion of said optical fiber, said button being attached to said rigid sleeve, said rigid sleeve supporting said optical fiber and being capable of translating with said optical fiber and said button upon translation of said button.

A surgical probe comprising:

• a handpiece defining a first internal channel;
• a rigid cannula fixed to said handpiece to prevent relative translational movement therebetween, said cannula having a second internal channel extending to a distal tip;
• an optical fiber extending through said first and second internal channels, said optical fiber having a core and a distal end portion positionable adjacent said distal tip, said distal end portion having a preformed bend that is straightened when in a retracted position within said rigid cannula, and that is curved when in an extended position in which said distal end portion extends beyond said distal tip of said rigid cannula;
• a button fixedly attached to said optical fiber, said button being selectively translatable to cause corresponding translational movement of said optical fiber relative to said handpiece, thereby causing said distal end portion of said core to move between said retracted and extended positions, said button comprising a stem portion joined to said fiber extending in a radial direction relative to an axis of said cannula, said button further comprising a head portion joined to said stem portion, said head having an area greater than a cross-sectional area of said stem portion;
• and
• a rigid sleeve enclosing a portion of said optical fiber, said button being attached to said rigid sleeve, said rigid sleeve supporting said optical fiber and being capable of translating with said optical fiber and said button upon translation movement of said button.

A surgical probe comprising:

• a handpiece defining a first internal channel;
• a rigid cannula fixed to said handpiece to prevent relative translational movement therebetween, said cannula having a second internal channel extending to a distal tip;
• an optical fiber extending through said first and second internal channels, said optical fiber having a distal end portion positionable adjacent said distal tip, said distal end portion having a preformed bend that is straightened in a retracted position within said rigid cannula, and that is curved when in an extended position in which said distal end portion extends beyond said distal tip of said rigid cannula;
• a mechanism that selectively causes translational movement of said optical fiber relative to said handpiece, thereby causing said distal end portion of said optical fiber to move between said retracted and extended positions;
• and
• a rigid sleeve attached to said optical fiber and enclosing at least a portion of said optical fiber, said mechanism being attached to said rigid sleeve, said rigid sleeve being capable of translating with said optical fiber upon operation of said mechanism.