Characterization of novel microsphere chain fiber optic tips for potential use in ophthalmic laser surgery

Thomas C. Hutchens, Arash Darafsheh, Amir Fardad, Andrew N. Antoszyk, Howard S. Ying, Vasily N. Astratov, Nathaniel M. Fried

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ophthalmic surgery may benefit from use of more precise fiber delivery systems during laser surgery. Some current ophthalmic surgical techniques rely on tedious mechanical dissection of tissue layers. In this study, chains of sapphire microspheres integrated into a hollow waveguide distal tip are used for erbium:YAG laser ablation studies in contact mode with ophthalmic tissues, ex vivo. The laser's short optical penetration depth combined with the small spot diameters achieved with this fiber probe may provide more precise tissue removal. One-, three-, and five-microsphere chain structures were characterized, resulting in FWHM diameters of 67, 32, and 30 ?m in air, respectively, with beam profiles comparable to simulations. Single Er:YAG pulses of 0.1 mJ and 75-?s duration produced ablation craters with average diameters of 44, 30, and 17 ?m and depths of 26, 10, and 8 μm, for one-, three-, and five-sphere structures, respectively. Microsphere chains produced spatial filtering of the multimode Er:YAG laser beam and fiber, providing spot diameters not otherwise available with conventional fiber systems. Because of the extremely shallow treatment depth, compact focused beam, and contact mode operation, this probe may have potential for use in dissecting epiretinal membranes and other ophthalmic tissues without damaging adjacent retinal tissue.

Original languageEnglish
Article number068004
JournalJournal of biomedical optics
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Ablation
  • Er:YAG
  • Germanium
  • Light focusing
  • Microspheres
  • Mid-infrared
  • Ophthalmic
  • Periodically focused modes
  • Photonic nanojets
  • Sapphire

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