정맥 내 레이저 치료를 위한 산광형 광섬유 개발

Abstract

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) is one of the most widely accepted surgical options for treating incompetent great and small saphenous veins about two decades ago. However, due to excessive heating during EVLT, the major complications include pain and burning that often increase the risk of dermatitis disease, even recanalization. The aim of the current study is to develop cylindrical diffuser applicator through effective evaluation of various fiber tips and quantitatively compare with commercially-available radial fibers 1470-nm EVLA in three ex vivo models in terms of optical distribution, temperature generation, and histological responses. A customized goniometer was employed to characterize the spatial uniformity of the light propagation. The diffuser angled at 25° achieved a uniform longitudinal intensity profile (i.e., 0.90±0.07). In the leporine vein testing, results confirm that the diffusing applicator induces a 15% lower maximum temperature with a 40% lower transient temperature change, compared to the radial fiber. Due to a low irradiance (5.3 W/cm2) and wide light distribution, the diffusing fiber yields uniform thermal coagulation while the radial fiber accompanies delamination of layers in the vein. Bovine foot model testing verifies that the diffusing fiber is associated with the steady maximum temperature and no tissue re-attachment. The proposed cylindrically diffusing applicator can be a feasible optical device to treat varicose veins in an effective-manner.