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Laser tissue coagulation and concurrent optical coherence tomography through a double-clad fiber coupler
Kathy Beaudette1, Hyoung Won Baac2, Wendy-Julie Madore3
1Centre d'Optique Photonique et Lasers, Polytechnique Montreal, Department of Engineering Physics, Montreal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada ; Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
This study introduces a novel fiber coupler for simultaneous optical coherence tomography (OCT) and laser coagulation. The system uses a single fiber probe for both imaging and therapeutic laser delivery, enabling co-registered procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Fiber Optics Technology
- Medical Imaging and Therapy
Background:
- Simultaneous imaging and therapeutic modalities are crucial for precise medical interventions.
- Current systems often require separate probes, limiting efficiency and co-registration.
- Double-clad fiber (DCF) technology offers potential for multiplexing optical signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel double-clad fiber coupler (DCFC) for simultaneous OCT imaging and laser tissue coagulation.
- To enable a single fiber-optic probe for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
- To investigate and mitigate potential OCT imaging degradation in a combined system.
Main Methods:
- A novel DCFC was designed and fabricated to combine OCT signals (core) and laser coagulation light (inner cladding) into a single DCF.
- Characterization of the DCFC's transmission and coupling efficiencies (>90% single-mode, >65% multimode).
- Ex vivo swine esophagus coagulation model used to assess system performance and real-time thermal dynamics.
Main Results:
- The novel DCFC successfully combined OCT and laser coagulation signals into a single DCF with high efficiency.
- Investigated and proposed solutions for potential OCT imaging degradation.
- Demonstrated real-time, co-registered OCT imaging and laser coagulation on ex vivo tissue.
Conclusions:
- A DCFC-based system enables simultaneous and co-registered OCT imaging and laser coagulation via a single fiber probe.
- This technology facilitates image-guided laser marking and thermal therapy for epithelial pathologies.
- Potential applications include Barrett's esophagus treatment and superficial tissue marking.
