Damage thresholds of silica fibers in holmium:YAG laser energy delivery for medical applications

Matthew D. Marolda; Donald F. Perrault Jr.; Michail M. Pankratov; Stanley M. Shapshay M.D.

doi:10.1117/12.147037

1 July 1993 Damage thresholds of silica fibers in holmium:YAG laser energy delivery for medical applications

Matthew D. Marolda, Donald F. Perrault Jr., Michail M. Pankratov, Stanley M. Shapshay M.D.

Proceedings Volume 1876, Lasers in Otolaryngology, Dermatology, and Tissue Welding; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.147037
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Pulsed Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser has been approved for some clinical applications and is under investigation for others. There is little published evidence on the durability or damage parameters for the fibers used in delivering energy from pulsed Ho:YAG laser. This study makes an initial attempt to investigate the damage threshold of different silica fibers under various conditions. Three types of fibers supplied by different manufacturers underwent laboratory testing. The overall finding of the study is that a new `perfect' fiber sustains no damage when fired without a target in air or in saline at energies up to 1.5 J/pulse and repetition rate up to 10 Hz. This study suggests that one may need to chose a fiber according to the clinical procedure to be performed: in cases where only soft tissue is to be manipulated - - any fiber may fare well, in cases where bone or calcified tissue is to be lased -- one may need fiber with aluminized or other hard coating. We also conclude that only professional refinishing with the removal of all exposed core-cladding material can insure trouble free performance.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew D. Marolda, Donald F. Perrault Jr., Michail M. Pankratov, and Stanley M. Shapshay M.D. "Damage thresholds of silica fibers in holmium:YAG laser energy delivery for medical applications", Proc. SPIE 1876, Lasers in Otolaryngology, Dermatology, and Tissue Welding, (1 July 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.147037

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available