High-power laser diode technology for present and future medical a

摘要

Abstract: cant progress has been made in the past few years in increasing power and performance of semiconductor laser diodes. Package and system designs can now be optimized to immensely improve the use and effects of laser diodes in medical health care. These micron size devices exhibit power conversion efficiencies in excess of 50%, can operate with battery power sources, and can be sterilized. Delivery systems include fiber optics or lensed output. The complete unit can be as small as 1' square and can be hermetically sealed. These characteristics, among others, make these devices ideal for medical applications. For this presentation, we summarize current laser diode technology and compare performance with solid state and gas lasers commonly used in medicine today. The benefits and advantages to a laser diode derived system are highlighted. We present data that illustrates electrical and opto-electronic characteristics and discuss several configurations which are particularly suited for use in medical procedures. !5