Title :
Infrared tissue imaging at on-the-spot laser delivery using an all-optical-waveguide transmitting system
Author :
Ilev, Ilko K. ; Waynant, Ronald W.
Author_Institution :
Center for Devices & Radiol. Health, US Food & Drug Adm., Rockville, MD, USA
Abstract :
We present experimental results on mid-infrared thermal imaging of micro-scale tissue area irradiated by an all-optical-waveguide laser delivery system. The infrared transmitting system is based on a novel and simple laser delivery technique that includes two key optical elements: a grazing-incidence-based uncoated hollow taper used for direct infrared laser-to-fiber coupling, and a tissue-activated optical fiber probe with a specially shaped tip. The lens-free all-optical-waveguide transmitting system provides on-the-spot laser delivery into a precise micro-scale tissue area. When an Er:YAG (λ=2.94 μm) laser is used as a mid-infrared laser source, we obtain infrared thermal images from a small-size tissue area and a single hair.
Keywords :
biological tissues; biomedical optical imaging; infrared imaging; laser applications in medicine; optical waveguides; radiation therapy; 2.94 micron; Er:YAG laser; YAG:Er; YAl5O12:Er; all-optical-waveguide transmitting system; grazing-incidence-based uncoated hollow taper; medical diagnostic imaging; micro-scale tissue area irradiation; mid-infrared thermal imaging; on-the-spot laser delivery; precise microscale tissue area; single hair; specially shaped tip; Biomedical optical imaging; Fiber lasers; Free electron lasers; Infrared imaging; Laser modes; Laser theory; Optical coupling; Optical fibers; Optical imaging; Optical sensors;
Conference_Titel :
Biomedical Imaging, 2002. Proceedings. 2002 IEEE International Symposium on
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7584-X
DOI :
10.1109/ISBI.2002.1029248
