Researchers Develop Innovative Hollow Core Fibers that Hold Potential for Laser Surgery

Work led by Dr Jonathan Shephard in the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt University and collaborators at the University of Bath has been highlighted in the article “Moving Past the Articulated Arm” in the latest edition of Biophotonics.

The research team, in a project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), has developed novel hollow core fibres which have excellent power handling capability whilst being small in diameter and highly flexible in comparison to existing technologies used to deliver surgical lasers such as articulated arms. Using these fibres Artur Urich, a researcher in the High Power Laser Applications group at Heriot-Watt, has produced a flexible “laser scalpel” demonstrating the potential of these fibres to improve the usability of surgical lasers in minimally invasive procedures.

They are now working with clinicians to develop novel procedures to address particular medical conditions where restricted access inhibits traditional surgical techniques.

For more information please contact Dr Jon Shephard.