Fiber fragmentation during laser lithotripsy

Gabriela Flemming; Ralf Brinkmann; Ch. Strunge; Ralf Engelhardt

doi:10.1117/12.43922

1 July 1991 Fiber fragmentation during laser lithotripsy

Gabriela Flemming, Ralf Brinkmann, Ch. Strunge, Ralf Engelhardt

Proceedings Volume 1421, Lasers in Urology, Laparoscopy, and General Surgery; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43922
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Laser lithotripsy (LISL) in combination with a bare fiber can lead to fragmentation of the fiber tip. Fiber fragmentation of four lithotripsy laser systems was measured under clinical conditions (calcium sulphate stone, covered with water), a Q-Switched Alexandrite laser, a pulse-stretched alexandrite laser, and two different dye lasers were used. The threshold for fiber fragmentation for pulses of Gaussian shape was 200 MW/cm2 peak power density. The Q-Switched Alexandrite laser leads to fragmentation rates of 100mm/1000 pulses at typical pulse-energies (50mJ, 150ns), whereas fiber fragmentation did not occur if dye lasers were used (80 mJ, 1.3 microsecond(s) ; 80 mJ, 2.5 microsecond(s) ) due to their longer pulse-lengths and lower power densities respectively. Using a pulse-stretched alexandrite laser fragmentation could be avoided if pulse lengths above 1 microsecond(s) were used. During LISL the fiber fragments which are produced will be embedded in the ureter wall and therefore subsequent formation of stenoses may be possible.

Citation Download Citation

Gabriela Flemming, Ralf Brinkmann, Ch. Strunge, and Ralf Engelhardt "Fiber fragmentation during laser lithotripsy", Proc. SPIE 1421, Lasers in Urology, Laparoscopy, and General Surgery, (1 July 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43922

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