High precision laser sclerostomy

Wojciech Stanisław Góra*, A. Urich, L. McIntosh, R. M. Carter, C. G. Wilson, B. Dhillon, D. P. Hand, J. D. Shephard

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Ultrafast lasers offer a possibility of removing soft ophthalmic tissue without introducing collateral damage at the ablation site or in the surrounding tissue. The potential for using ultrashort pico- and femtosecond pulse lasers for modification of ophthalmic tissue has been reported elsewhere and has resulted in the introduction of new, minimally invasive procedures into clinical practice. Our research aims to define the most efficient parameters to allow for the modification of scleral tissue without introducing collateral damage. Our experiments were carried out on hydrated porcine sclera in vitro. Porcine sclera, which has similar collagen organization, histology and water content (∼70%) to human tissue was used. Supporting this work we present a 2D finite element blow-off model which employs a one-step heating process. It is assumed that the incident laser radiation that is not reflected is absorbed in the tissue according to the Beer-Lambert law and transformed into heat energy. The experimental setup uses an industrial picosecond laser (TRUMPF TruMicro 5x50) with 5.9 ps pulses at 1030 nm, with pulse energies up to 125 i1/4J and a focused spot diameter of 35 i1/4m. Use of a beam steering scan head allows flexibility in designing complicated scanning patterns. In this study we have demonstrated that picosecond pulses are capable of removing scleral tissue without introducing any major thermal damage which offers a possible route for minimally invasive sclerostomy. In assessing this we have tested several different scanning patterns including single line ablation, square and circular cavity removal.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication Ophthalmic Technologies XXV
PublisherSPIE
Volume9307
ISBN (Print)9781628413977
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event25th Conference on Ophthalmic Technologies - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 7 Feb 20158 Feb 2015

Publication series

NameSPIE Conference Proceedings
PublisherSPIE

Conference

Conference25th Conference on Ophthalmic Technologies
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period7/02/158/02/15

Keywords

  • ablation
  • picosecond laser
  • plasma
  • porcine sclera
  • sclerostomy
  • simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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