Work

Light-guided localization within tissue using biocompatible surgical suture fiber as an optical waveguide

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: In breast-conserving surgery, an optical wire is a useful surgical guiding tool to optically locate small lesions within the breast tissue. However, the use of a long silica glass fiber as the optical wire can be burdensome to patients because of its stiffness and nonbiocompatibility. We investigate the use of a biocompatible fiber for light localization in tissue. A surgical suture with a diameter of 400 μm and a few centimeters long is employed as the biocompatible optical waveguide to transport the visible laser light to the inner tissue site. Optical location is confirmed with glow ball-like red laser illumination at the tip of the suture embedded within a fresh chicken breast tissue. Effective optical power coupling to the suture is made by using a double-cladding fiber coupler. From this preliminary result, we realize practical light localization with biopolymer waveguides.

Source: Journal of Biomedical Optics

DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.19.9.090503

Authors: Woo June Choi, Kwan Seob Park, Byeong Ha Lee

Institutions: University of Washington, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Random lasers and scattering media

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Ministry of Health and Welfare