A variable-rigidity, small-gauge illuminator is disclosed, one embodimentbeing asmall-gauge illumination surgical system comprising: a light source forproviding a light beam；an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving andtransmitting thelight beam, a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable； an opticalfiber, operablycoupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled tothe opticalcable to receive and transmit the light beam to illuminate an area； and acannula, operablycoupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber, whereinthe cannulais operable to extend and retract from the handpiece to vary the length of thecannulaextending from the handpiece, and wherein the optical fiber is operablyconnected to thecannula such that the distal end of the optical fiber and the distal end ofthe cannularemain co-incident as the length of the cannula extending from the handpieceis varied.The optical fiber, the cannula and the handpiece can be fabricated frombiocompatiblematerials.
