ER-YAG delamination of dense biological membranes using flexible hollowwaveguides

Fused silica flexible hollow wave guides developed at TAU were used to deliver Er-YAG laser radiation to a biological membrane model. The model was composed of fibrotic (inneregg shell) membranes that were either brushed with or immersed in physiological saline solution. Waveguides used included fibers with an inner diameter of 0.7mm and 0.5mm. Membrane aperture size and fiberoutput power density were obtained. Results for the 0.5mm waveguides yielded average apertures of 100μm length at a power density of 5.35W/cm² and threshold fluence of 10mJ/cm2 for exposed membranes and 35mJ/cm² forwet membranes. . The results indicate that this waveguide can be used to cut dense membranes, finally , we have succeeded in delaniinating immersed membranes using a sealed waveguide. These results shows the applicabilityofusing fused silica flexible hollow waveguides for Er-YAG surgical applications of dense membranes inaqueous surroundings such as Vitrectomy and Posterio-Copsulectomy in Ophthalmology, and possibly forprocedures involving Pleural membranes.