US Patent 7837372 Variable intensity endoilluminator

A variable intensity endoilluminator system is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable to receive the light beam; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam to illuminate a surgical field; and a translucent cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber, wherein the cannula is operable to diffuse and transmit the light from the light beam when the optical fiber is retracted into the cannula. The cannula and the handpiece can be fabricated from biocompatible materials.