Abstract

The mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral region is of great importance in medical research and instrumentation since the most identifiable molecules have specific IR absorption and radiation features that depend upon their exact chemical composition.¹ With respect to mid-IR optical fiber (OF) based laser delivery systems that are used in biomedicine, the research efforts are focused on the investigation of low-loss IR fiber systems that provide an efficient and broadband delivery of powerful mid-IR laser radiation including from Er:YAG, free-electron and CO₂ lasers. Here, we present a novel all-optical-fiber system for mid- IR laser delivery into a precise tissue area using a direct laser-to-taper coupling and a smart, tissue- activated delivery OF with an angle-shaped tip.

© 2002 Optical Society of America