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Published on: July 12, 2017
Side-firing germanium oxide optical fibers for use with erbium:YAG laser
Anthony K Ngo1, Nathaniel M Fried
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Background And Purpose:
During recent experimental studies, the erbium:YAG laser has been shown to be more efficient for lithotripsy and more precise for incision of soft urinary tissues than the conventional holmium:YAG laser. Mid-infrared optical fibers are being developed to allow endoscopic delivery of Er:YAG laser radiation. This paper describes the simple construction and characterization of a side-firing germanium oxide fiber for potential use with the Er:YAG laser in endourology.
Materials And Methods:
The 450-microm-core side-firing fibers were constructed from germanium oxide fibers by polishing the distal tip at a 45 degrees angle and placing a protective quartz cap over the tip. The Er:YAG laser radiation, with a wavelength of 2.94 microm, was transmitted through the fibers.
Results And Conclusion:
The fiber transmission rate and damage threshold measured 48 +/- 4% and 149 +/- 37 mJ, respectively (n = 6 fibers). Sufficient pulse energies were transmitted through the side-firing fibers to produce contact tissue ablation.
