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Fiber Tip (fiber + tip)
Selected AbstractsComparison of Endovenous Radiofrequency Versus 810 nm Diode Laser Occlusion of Large Veins in an Animal ModelDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 1 2002Robert A. Weiss MDArticle first published online: 27 FEB 200 background. Endovenous occlusion using radiofrequency (RF) energy has been shown to be effective for the elimination of sapheno-femoral reflux and subsequent elimination of varicose veins. Recently, endovenous laser occlusion has been introduced with initial clinical reports indicating effective treatment for varicose veins. However, in our practice we note increased peri-operative hematoma and tenderness with the laser. Little is known regarding the mechanism of action of this new laser vein therapy. objective. To better understand the mechanism of action of endovenous laser vs. the endovenous RF procedure in the jugular vein of the goat model. methods. A bilateral comparison was performed using 810 nm diode laser transmitted by a bare-tipped optical fiber vs. the RF delivery by engineered electrodes with a temperature feedback loop using a thermocouple (Closure procedure) in three goat jugular veins. Immediate and one-week results were studied radiographically and histologically. Temperature measurements during laser treatment were performed by using an array of up to five thermocouples, spaced 2 mm apart, placed adjacent to a laser fiber tip during goat jugular vein treatment. results. Immediate findings showed that 100% of the laser-treated veins showed perforations by histologic examination and immediate contrast fluoroscopy. The RF-treated side showed immediate constriction with maintenance of contrast material within the vein lumen and no perforations. The difference in acute vein shrinkage was also dramatic as laser treatments resulted in vein shrinkage of 26%, while RF-treated veins showed a 77% acute reduction in diameter. At one week, extravasated blood that leaked into the surrounding tissue of laser treated veins acutely, continued to occupy space and impinge on surrounding structures including nerves. For the laser treatment, the highest average temperature was 729°C (peak temperature 1334°C) observed flush with the laser fiber tip, while the temperature feedback mechanism of the RF method maintains temperatures at the electrodes of 85°C. conclusion. Vein perforations, extremely high intravascular temperatures, failure to cause significant collagen shrinkage, and intact endothelium in an animal model justify a closer look at the human clinical application of the 810 nm endovenous laser technique. Extravasated blood impinging on adjacent structures may theoretically lead to increased peri-operative hematoma and tenderness. Further study and clinical investigation is warranted. [source] Near-field mapping of surface refractive-index distributionsLASER PHYSICS LETTERS, Issue 9 2005I.P. Radko Abstract Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) in reflection is employed for high-resolution mapping of surface refractive-index distributions. Two different single-mode optical fibers with step-index profiles are characterized using a reflection SNOM setup, in which cross-polarized detection is employed to increase the contrast in optical images and, thereby, the method sensitivity. The SNOM images exhibit a clear ring-shaped structure associated with the fiber step-index profile, indicating that surface refractive-index variations being smaller than 10,2 can be detected. It is found that the quantitative interpretation of SNOM images requires accurate characterization of a fiber tip used, because the detected optical signal is a result of interference between the optical fields reflected by the sample surface and by the fiber tip itself. The possibilities and limitations of this experimental technique are discussed. (© 2005 by Astro, Ltd. Published exclusively by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA) [source] Comparison of germanium oxide fibers with silica and sapphire fiber tips for transmission of erbium: YAG laser radiationLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 8 2006Travis J. Polletto BS Abstract Background and Objectives Endoscopic applications of the Erbium:YAG laser have been limited due to the lack of a suitable optical fiber delivery system. The purpose of this study was to compare the transmission of Er:YAG laser radiation through germanium oxide trunk fibers with silica and sapphire fiber tips for potential use in contact tissue ablation during endoscopy. Study Design/Materials and Methods Er:YAG laser radiation with a wavelength of 2.94 µm, pulse length of 300 microseconds, pulse energies from 5 to 1,360 mJ, coupled into pulse repetition rates of 3,10 Hz, was through 1-m-long germanium oxide fibers with either 1-cm-long, 550-µm-diameter silica or sapphire tips. Results Transmission through the germanium oxide/sapphire fibers measured 65±5% compared with 55±4% for the germanium oxide/silica fibers (P<0.05). The damage threshold for the hybrid fibers averaged 309± 44 mJ and 126±43 mJ, respectively (n,=,7 fibers each) (P<0.05). The highest pulse energies transmitted through the fibers were 700 mJ and 220 mJ, respectively. Conclusions Improved index-matching of the trunk fiber and fiber tip at 2.94 µm resulted in higher transmission and damage thresholds for the germanium oxide/sapphire fibers. The germanium oxide/sapphire fiber may represent a promising mid-infrared optical fiber delivery system for use in endoscopic applications of the Er:YAG laser requiring a flexible, biocompatible, and robust fiber delivery system for contact tissue ablation. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:787,791, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cover Picture: ChemPhysChem 1/2003CHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 1 2003Renate Petry Dr. The cover picture shows a picture of a Mentha × piperita plant, which has a high pharmaceutical relevance. Raman spectra of extremely high spatial resolution have been recorded of this plant by applying etched and silver-coated glass fiber tips; a method which has been developed in our group within the scope of a BMBF project FKZ 13N7511 located in the framework of Laser-Biodynamik. On the right, a picture of such a glass fiber tip illuminated by the Raman laser is shown. The fiber tip is brought extremely close to the sample area to be investigated. The picture also shows the Raman spectrum obtained by applying this fiber-tip technique. This method allows the recording of Raman spectra of biologically relevant samples with an extremely high spatial resolution (200 nm). [source] Comparison of germanium oxide fibers with silica and sapphire fiber tips for transmission of erbium: YAG laser radiationLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 8 2006Travis J. Polletto BS Abstract Background and Objectives Endoscopic applications of the Erbium:YAG laser have been limited due to the lack of a suitable optical fiber delivery system. The purpose of this study was to compare the transmission of Er:YAG laser radiation through germanium oxide trunk fibers with silica and sapphire fiber tips for potential use in contact tissue ablation during endoscopy. Study Design/Materials and Methods Er:YAG laser radiation with a wavelength of 2.94 µm, pulse length of 300 microseconds, pulse energies from 5 to 1,360 mJ, coupled into pulse repetition rates of 3,10 Hz, was through 1-m-long germanium oxide fibers with either 1-cm-long, 550-µm-diameter silica or sapphire tips. Results Transmission through the germanium oxide/sapphire fibers measured 65±5% compared with 55±4% for the germanium oxide/silica fibers (P<0.05). The damage threshold for the hybrid fibers averaged 309± 44 mJ and 126±43 mJ, respectively (n,=,7 fibers each) (P<0.05). The highest pulse energies transmitted through the fibers were 700 mJ and 220 mJ, respectively. Conclusions Improved index-matching of the trunk fiber and fiber tip at 2.94 µm resulted in higher transmission and damage thresholds for the germanium oxide/sapphire fibers. The germanium oxide/sapphire fiber may represent a promising mid-infrared optical fiber delivery system for use in endoscopic applications of the Er:YAG laser requiring a flexible, biocompatible, and robust fiber delivery system for contact tissue ablation. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:787,791, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hybrid germanium/silica optical fibers for endoscopic delivery of erbium:YAG laser radiationLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004Charles A. Chaney MS Abstract Background and Objectives Endoscopic applications of the erbium (Er):YAG laser have been limited due to the lack of an optical fiber delivery system that is robust, flexible, and biocompatible. This study reports the testing of a hybrid germanium/silica fiber capable of delivering Er:YAG laser radiation through a flexible endoscope. Study Design/Materials and Methods Hybrid optical fibers were assembled from 1-cm length, 550-,m core, silica fiber tips attached to either 350- or 425-,m germanium oxide "trunk" fibers. Er:YAG laser radiation (,,=,2.94 ,m) with laser pulse lengths of 70 and 220 microseconds, pulse repetition rates of 3,10 Hz, and laser output energies of up to 300 mJ was delivered through the fibers for testing. Results Maximum fiber output energies measured 180±30 and 82±20 mJ (n,=,10) under straight and tight bending configurations, respectively, before fiber interface damage occurred. By comparison, the damage threshold for the germanium fibers without silica tips during contact soft tissue ablation was only 9 mJ (n,=,3). Studies using the hybrid fibers for lithotripsy also resulted in fiber damage thresholds (55,114 mJ) above the stone ablation threshold (15,23 mJ). Conclusions Hybrid germanium/silica fibers represent a robust, flexible, and biocompatible method of delivering Er:YAG laser radiation during contact soft tissue ablation. However, significant improvement in the hybrid fibers will be necessary before they can be used for efficient Er:YAG laser lithotripsy. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:5,11, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cover Picture: ChemPhysChem 1/2003CHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 1 2003Renate Petry Dr. The cover picture shows a picture of a Mentha × piperita plant, which has a high pharmaceutical relevance. Raman spectra of extremely high spatial resolution have been recorded of this plant by applying etched and silver-coated glass fiber tips; a method which has been developed in our group within the scope of a BMBF project FKZ 13N7511 located in the framework of Laser-Biodynamik. On the right, a picture of such a glass fiber tip illuminated by the Raman laser is shown. The fiber tip is brought extremely close to the sample area to be investigated. The picture also shows the Raman spectrum obtained by applying this fiber-tip technique. This method allows the recording of Raman spectra of biologically relevant samples with an extremely high spatial resolution (200 nm). [source] |