Performance analysis of a liquid lens for laser ablation using OCT imaging

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Flexible optical fibers enable laser delivery in curved surgical spaces.
• Direct fiber-tip contact in laser ablation causes fiber damage and uneven tissue effects.
• Laser defocusing limits precision when targeting tissues at varying depths.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a liquid lens for precise laser focusing in flexible optical fiber systems.
• To address the challenge of laser defocusing in flexible optical fiber-based ablation.
• To enhance the performance of medical image-guided laser ablation procedures.

Main Methods:

• A liquid lens was integrated into a flexible optical fiber system.
• The system focused a 3W laser onto medium-density fiberboard (40-180 mm focal length).
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to quantitatively evaluate ablation characteristics.

Main Results:

• The liquid lens successfully focused the laser to different depths without direct tissue contact.
• Ablation crater dimensions (diameter and depth) were correlated with laser power and time.
• The liquid lens demonstrated continuous focusing capability with advantages in size, response, weight, and operation.

Conclusions:

• Liquid-lens-based focused laser ablation offers a promising advancement over traditional methods.
• This technology can potentially improve the precision and safety of laser ablation therapies.
• The system's compact and efficient design facilitates integration into medical devices.