A probe having a flexible, small diameter fiber optic sheathed in a small diameter flexible tube comprising the distal tip of the probe. The small diameters of the fiber and tube allow the fiber to be bent in a tight radius comprising the major portion of the length of the exposed portion of the fiber, with low tube bending forces during insertion, providing a compact design which reduces or eliminates the need for a straight distal portion of flexible tube extending from the cannula. The small diameter tube also allows a greater wall thickness outer cannula to be used, thereby increasing instrument rigidity. One embodiment encompasses a larger flexible tube with corresponding larger bend radius, to encase a plurality of fiber optics, providing separately optimized laser and illumination delivery paths. Anti-friction coating material may be used to further reduce insertion forces.
