For applying shock waves to precise medical procedures like neurosurgery, a reliable generation of micro shock waves is required. Such sensitive applications make limits on usage of conventional underwater shock wave sources like Extracoporeal Shock Waves ESW [1] or micro explosives [2]. In the present study a Q-switched Ho:YAG laser and an optical fiber are used. Advantages of this method over previous shock wave sources are two order of magnitude reduction in focusing area if compared with ESW and elimination of product gases of micro explosives. Nakahara and Nagayama [3] studied underwater shock waves emanated from surface of an optical fiber by pulse Nd:YAG laser input using shadowgraph technique. Their qualitative study limited to visualization of shock waves at its early stage. The present research aims to clarify quantitatively process of the shock wave generation by direct laser beam irradiation through optical fibers, growth and behavior of generated cavities, and structure of heat induced flow in front of the optical fiber.
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