Ophthalmic endoilluminators with directed light

Abstract

Certain embodiments of an endoilluminator may include a cannula, an intermediate material, and an optical fiber. The cannula has a substantially cylindrical shape that defines an interior region and has a cylindrical axis. The intermediate material is disposed within the interior region. The optical fiber is disposed within the intermediate material and has a fiber optical axis and a distal end configured to emit light. The emitted light has an illumination pattern with an illumination axis that is not parallel to the cylindrical axis.

1 . A system comprising:
 a cannula having a substantially cylindrical shape defining an interior region, the cylindrical shape having a cylindrical axis;   an intermediate material disposed within the interior region; and   an optical fiber disposed within the intermediate material, the optical fiber having a fiber optical axis and a distal end configured to emit light, the emitted light having an illumination pattern with an illumination axis that is not parallel to the cylindrical axis.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , at least a portion of the fiber optical axis proximal the distal end not parallel to the cylindrical axis. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , the distal end of the optical fiber being a shaped distal end configured to change the fiber optical axis. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , a distal end of the cannula configured to make incisions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , the cannula configured to retract such that the distal end of the optical fiber protrudes more than a distal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , the intermediate material shaped to avoid the emitted light. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , the cannula shaped to avoid the emitted light. 
     
     
         8 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a cannula having a substantially cylindrical shape with a cylindrical axis, the cannula having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior region, the outer surface forming an outer channel; and   an optical fiber coupled to the cannula, the optical fiber having a fiber optical axis and a shaped distal end configured to emit light, the optical fiber disposed at least partially within the outer channel, the emitted light having an illumination pattern with an illumination axis that is not parallel to the cylindrical axis.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , the optical fiber coupled to the cannula with an adhesive having a low optical index.