Patent ID: 8317778

Claim:
A steerable, flexible probe for use in ophthalmic surgery, to access areas of the retina that are inaccessible to straight probes, comprising: (a) a resilient tubular member adapted to access an intraocular surface, the tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen therethrough, wherein said first lumen is axially offset from a longitudinal axis of said tubular member; (b) an elongated guide member having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the elongated guide member disposed through said first lumen of said tubular member, wherein the elongated guide member is affixed to a distal section of said first lumen, and (c) a handle disposed at the proximal end of said tubular member, said handle comprising an actuator operatively engaged to said guide member, wherein said actuator is adapted to move said guide member between a first lengthwise conformation and a second lengthwise conformation thereof, and wherein said guide member tends to return to said first lengthwise conformation after being laterally deflected therefrom.