The use of infrared lasers for cosmetic surgery (skin resurfacing, hair removal, treatment of varicose veins) is likely to increase. There are continuing reports that the use of low-level laser treatments reduce healing time for skin conditions. Ocular surgery within the eye near the retina can also be accomplished with infrared lasers, resulting in less tissue damage to the retina than conventional techniques. The use of lasers in both of these clinical areas requires the use of optical fibers to transmit the laser radiation to the desired location for treatment. While such fiber optic bundles are common in the visible spectral region, fibers that transmit infrared radiation are of inferior quality at this time. Furthermore, many of the materials currently used in infrared fibers are toxic to human tissue.

Under a contract with the Office of Naval Research, OST scientists are investigating the performance of new types of infrared fibers and waveguides for medical use. Several collaborative projects are underway with outside scientific laboratories. An evaluation of the use of infrared waveguides for delivery of infrared laser radiation inside the eye is underway with an ophthalmologist at Duke University. In FY 97, several prototype devices were designed, constructed, and tested. An additional collaboration with the National Institutes of Health on the use of infrared radiation and optical spectroscopy for diagnosis of disease inside the body is also underway. OST scientists are also working to evaluate the transmission quality of several new types of infrared fibers and waveguides for use in cosmetic surgery.