TY - JOUR
T1 - Sapphire optical fibers for the delivery of Erbium:YAG laser energy
AU - Fitzgibbon, Jeremiah J.
AU - Bates, Herbert E.
AU - Pryshlak, Adrian P.
AU - Dugan, Jeffrey R.
AU - Schuman, Joel S.
AU - Eisenberg, Dan
AU - McHam, Lisa
N1 - Funding Information:
Saphikon wishes to acknowledge the long hours and support from our partners in this research, including Dr. Joel Schuman, Dr. Lisa McHam, and Dr. Daniel Eisenberg of the New England Medical Center; and Mr. Joseph Lowery of Candela Laser Corporation. We also wish to acknowledge Dr. James Harrington and Ms. Gwyn Clarke of Rutgers, for their assistance and counsel on the characterization and advancement of the sapphire fiber. We also wish to acknowledge the support of the National Eye Institute (Grant # R43 EY10474), and the New Hampshire Industrial Research Center.
Funding Information:
Saphikon wishes to acknowledge the long hours and support from our partners in this research, including Dr. Joel Schuman, Dr. Lisa McHam, and Dr. Daniel Eisenberg of the New England Medical Center; and Mr. Joseph Lowery of Candela Laser Corporation. We also wish to acknowledge Dr. James Harrington and Ms. Gwyn Clarke of Rutgers, for their assistance and counsel on the characterization and advancement of the sapphire fiber. We also wish to acknowledge the support of the National Eye Institute (Grant # R43 EY1 0474), and the New Hampshire Industrial Research Center.
Publisher Copyright:
© 1995 SPIE. All rights reserved.
PY - 1995/5/1
Y1 - 1995/5/1
N2 - Utilization of the promising Erbium:YAG laser has been hindered by the lack of a truly effective optical fiber delivery system. In a National Eye Institute funded Phase I SBIR, sapphire fibers produced by the Saphikon Edge-defined, Film-fed Growth (EFG™) technique were proven effective in delivering 2.94 micron Er:YAG laser energy in pre-clinical in-vitro ophthalmic procedures. A brief overview of the results of both the ab-externo sclerostomy and laser trabecular ablation (LTA) procedures is given. A Design of Experiments methodology was used to significantly reduce average loss and variability of the EFG fibers, with losses below 1 dB/meter demonstrated in multi-meter lengths of 300 micron diameter fiber. Laser damage threshold levels above 1000 J/cm2, and power handling capability over 8 watts has been demonstrated. Details of ongoing and planned pre-clinical and clinical studies in ophthalmic, otologic, and dental procedures are discussed, along with other, non-medical applications for the sapphire fibers. Introduction of additional fiber diameters and devices is also reviewed.
AB - Utilization of the promising Erbium:YAG laser has been hindered by the lack of a truly effective optical fiber delivery system. In a National Eye Institute funded Phase I SBIR, sapphire fibers produced by the Saphikon Edge-defined, Film-fed Growth (EFG™) technique were proven effective in delivering 2.94 micron Er:YAG laser energy in pre-clinical in-vitro ophthalmic procedures. A brief overview of the results of both the ab-externo sclerostomy and laser trabecular ablation (LTA) procedures is given. A Design of Experiments methodology was used to significantly reduce average loss and variability of the EFG fibers, with losses below 1 dB/meter demonstrated in multi-meter lengths of 300 micron diameter fiber. Laser damage threshold levels above 1000 J/cm2, and power handling capability over 8 watts has been demonstrated. Details of ongoing and planned pre-clinical and clinical studies in ophthalmic, otologic, and dental procedures are discussed, along with other, non-medical applications for the sapphire fibers. Introduction of additional fiber diameters and devices is also reviewed.
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U2 - 10.1117/12.208431
DO - 10.1117/12.208431
M3 - Conference article
AN - SCOPUS:0002271130
SN - 0277-786X
VL - 2396
SP - 60
EP - 70
JO - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
JF - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
T2 - Biomedical Optoelectronic Instrumentation 1995
Y2 - 1 February 1995 through 28 February 1995
ER -