Flexible waveguides for transmission of IR radiation and surgical applications

Nathan I. Croitoru; Israel Gannot; Jacob Dror; A. Imber; Isaac Kaplan M.D.; Shlomo Calderon D.D.S.

doi:10.1117/12.146336

28 May 1993 Flexible waveguides for transmission of IR radiation and surgical applications

Nathan I. Croitoru, Israel Gannot, Jacob Dror, A. Imber, Isaac Kaplan M.D., Shlomo Calderon D.D.S.

Proceedings Volume 1893, Optical Fibers in Medicine VIII; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.146336
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Infrared (IR) radiation emitted by lasers is a very important tool in surgery applications. This type of laser energy is used for cutting and soldering of tissues, cauterization, evaporation of growths, opening blocked passages and others. The most important lasers which give radiation in the mid-IR region are the CO₂ laser ((lambda) equals 10.6 micrometers ), CO laser ((lambda) equals 5 mm) and the Er-YAG laser ((lambda) equals 2.94 micrometers ). In our laboratory a plastic, flexible, hollow waveguide suitable for mid-IR energy transmission was devised. This waveguide is used successfully in surgery. The waveguide is made of a plastic tube covered internally with a thin metal layer (Ag) and a dielectric overlayer (AgI). A theoretical ray model was also developed which has described quantitatively the propagation of radiation through the waveguide under straight and bent trajectories. The thickness and index of refraction of the dielectric layer is the essential parameter which determines the attenuation of transmitted energy through the waveguide. Powers up to 50 watts of CO₂ laser can be transmitted through these waveguides for bending radii down to 2.5 cm.

Citation Download Citation

Nathan I. Croitoru, Israel Gannot, Jacob Dror, A. Imber, Isaac Kaplan M.D., and Shlomo Calderon D.D.S. "Flexible waveguides for transmission of IR radiation and surgical applications", Proc. SPIE 1893, Optical Fibers in Medicine VIII, (28 May 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.146336

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