FLEXIBLE WAVE-GUIDES FOR IR LASER-RADIATION AND SURGERY APPLICATIONS

Flexible plastic waveguides were developed to deliver IR radiation, es pecially at 10.6 mum, which is the CO2 laser radiation wavelength. The waveguide is made from teflon tube with the inner wall coated with a metal layer and a dielectric over-layer. The internal diameter (ID) is 1.0 mm, length 1.0-1.2 m, and the distal tip decreases moderately to ID approximately 0.6 mm. The distal part on the last 10 centimeters is coated externally with a metal layer. Maximum power that can be deliv ered at the outlet is approximately 30 W and 10.6 x 10(3) W/cm2. This type of waveguide was used in several medical operations to evaluate i ts cutting characteristics and the resistances to heat reflection from the tissue while operating in orifices containing liquid substances. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.