Prof. Nathaniel M. Fried Profile

Prof. Nathaniel M. Fried

Professor at Univ of North Carolina at Charlotte

SPIE Involvement:

Senior status | Conference Program Committee | Author

Publications (117)

SPIE Journal Paper | July 6, 2018

Miniature ureteroscope distal tip designs for potential use in thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Wilson, Christopher , Kennedy, Joshua D. , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 23 Issue 07

KEYWORDS: Endoscopes, Light sources and illumination, Fiber lasers, YAG lasers, Optical fibers, Francium, Prototyping, Laser therapeutics, Holmium, Visibility

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Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy using smaller optical fibers may enable development of miniature ureteroscopes. Two ureteroscope distal tip prototypes were built and characterized. The first design was 4.5-French (Fr) [1.5-mm outer diameter (OD)], five channel tip, housing 200-μm inner diameter (ID) dedicated central channel for insertion of 100-μm core fibers and four surrounding channels, each with 1.5 Fr (510-μm ID) for instrumentation, irrigation, imaging, and illumination, respectively. The second design was 6.0-Fr (2.0-mm OD), three-dimensional printed tip with larger, hemispherical common working channel and separate detection port integrated with ring lighting. Standard instruments, including optical fibers, guidewires, and stone baskets, were inserted through working channels to demonstrate feasibility. Gravitational and manual pump-assisted saline irrigation rates were measured. Luminous intensity distribution curves (LIDCs) were modeled for both ring and conventional lighting designs. Imaging was conducted using 3000, 6000, and 10,000 pixel, miniature, flexible endoscopes with 0.4-, 0.6-, and 0.9-mm OD, to differentiate between urinary stones and ureter wall, for potential clinical application. The multichannel ureteroscope tip with 1.5-Fr working channel yielded a gravitational saline flow rate of 3.9 ± 0.2 mL / min compared to 31.3 ± 0.6 mL / min for standard (3.6 Fr) ureteroscope channel. Manual, pump-assisted irrigation increased flow rate to 32.5 ± 3.0 mL / min. The 6000 pixel, 0.6-mm OD, flexible endoscope provided a balance of clear differentiation between stones and ureter wall and sufficiently small OD. A ring lighting configuration provided more uniform illumination than conventional cross-lighting geometry as demonstrated by LIDCs. With further development, these miniature ureteroscope tip designs may be integrated into a fully functional ureteroscope to permit ureteral access with minimal trauma and improved patient safety and comfort.

SPIE Journal Paper | March 13, 2018

Thulium fiber laser-induced vapor bubble dynamics using bare, tapered, ball, hollow steel, and muzzle brake fiber optic tips

Gonzalez, David A. , Hardy, Luke A. , Hutchens, Thomas C. , Irby, Pierce B. , Fried, Nathaniel M.

OE Vol. 57 Issue 03

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Fiber optics, YAG lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Laser therapeutics, Optical fibers, Optical engineering, Laser lithotripsy, Laser ablation, High speed cameras

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 8, 2018

Selective ablation of carious lesions using an integrated multispectral near-IR imaging system and a novel 9.3-µm CO2 laser

Proc. SPIE. 10473, Lasers in Dentistry XXIV

KEYWORDS: Dental caries, Teeth, Imaging systems, Scattering, Reflectivity, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Gas lasers

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 7, 2018

Scanning electron microscopy of real and artificial kidney stones before and after Thulium fiber laser ablation in air and water

Proc. SPIE. 10468, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology 2018

KEYWORDS: Particles, Photography, Fiber lasers, Scanning electron microscopy, Laser irradiation, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 7, 2018

Optical clearing of vaginal tissues in cadavers

Proc. SPIE. 10468, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology 2018

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Optical coherence tomography, Spectroscopy, Laser energy, Optical clearing, Tissue optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 7, 2018

Thulium fiber laser induced vapor bubbles using bare, tapered, ball, hollow steel, and muzzle brake fiber optic tips

Proc. SPIE. 10468, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology 2018

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Fiber optics, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Laser lithotripsy, High speed imaging, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 7, 2018

Fragmentation and dusting of large kidney stones using compact, air-cooled, high peak power, 1940-nm, Thulium fiber laser

Proc. SPIE. 10468, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology 2018

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Laser energy, Laser applications, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Pulsed laser operation

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SPIE Journal Paper | May 27, 2017

Rapid sealing of porcine renal blood vessels, ex vivo, using a high power, 1470-nm laser, and laparoscopic prototype

Hardy, Luke , Hutchens, Thomas , Larson, Eric , Gonzalez, David , Chang, Chun-Hung , Nau, William , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 22 Issue 05

KEYWORDS: Laparoscopy, Prototyping, Blood vessels, High power lasers, In vivo imaging, Surgery, Tissue optics, Tissues, Ultrasonics, Infrared lasers

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Energy-based, radiofrequency (RF) and ultrasonic (US) devices currently provide rapid sealing of blood vessels during laparoscopic procedures. We are exploring infrared lasers as an alternate energy modality for vessel sealing, capable of generating less collateral thermal damage. Previous studies demonstrated feasibility of sealing vessels in an in vivo porcine model using a 1470-nm laser. However, the initial prototype was designed for testing in open surgery and featured tissue clasping and light delivery mechanisms incompatible with laparoscopic surgery. In this study, a laparoscopic prototype similar to devices currently in surgical use was developed, and performance tests were conducted on porcine renal blood vessels, ex vivo. The 5-mm outer-diameter laparoscopic prototype featured a traditional Maryland jaw configuration that enables tissue manipulation and blunt dissection. Laser energy was delivered through a 550-μm-core-diameter optical fiber with side-delivery from the lower jaw and beam dimensions of 18-mm length×1.2-mm width. The 1470-nm diode laser delivered 68 W with 3-s activation time, consistent with vessel seal times associated with RF and US-based devices. A total of 69 fresh porcine renal vessels with mean diameter of 3.3±1.7 mm were tested, ex vivo. Vessels smaller than 5-mm diameter were consistently sealed (48/51) with burst pressures greater than malignant hypertension blood pressure (180 mmHg), averaging 1038±474 mmHg. Vessels larger than 5 mm were not consistently sealed (6/18), yielding burst pressures of only 174±221 mmHg. Seal width, thermal damage zone, and thermal spread averaged 1.7±0.8, 3.4±0.7, and 1.0±0.4 mm, respectively. Results demonstrated that the 5-mm optical laparoscopic prototype consistently sealed vessels less than 5-mm diameter with low thermal spread. Further in vivo studies are planned to test the performance across a variety of vessels and tissues.

SPIE Journal Paper | April 21, 2017

Thulium fiber laser recanalization of occluded ventricular catheters in an ex vivo tissue model

Hutchens, Thomas , Gonzalez, David , Hardy, Luke , McLanahan, C. Scott , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 22 Issue 04

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Laser tissue interaction, Tissues, Holmium, Endoscopes, YAG lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Optical fibers, Laser safety

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Hydrocephalus is a chronic medical condition that occurs in individuals who are unable to reabsorb cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) created within the ventricles of the brain. Treatment requires excess CSF to be diverted from the ventricles to another part of the body, where it can be returned to the vascular system via a shunt system beginning with a catheter within the ventricle. Catheter failures due to occlusion by brain tissues commonly occur and require surgical replacement of the catheter. In this preliminary study, minimally invasive clearance of occlusions is explored using an experimental thulium fiber laser (TFL), with comparison to a conventional holmium: yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) laser. The TFL utilizes smaller optical fibers (<200-μm OD) compared with holmium laser (>450-μm OD), providing critical extra cross-sectional space within the 1.2-mm-inner-diameter ventricular catheter for simultaneous application of an endoscope for image guidance and a saline irrigation tube for visibility and safety. TFL ablation rates using 100-μm core fiber, 33-mJ pulse energy, 500-μs pulse duration, and 20- to 200-Hz pulse rates were compared to holmium laser using a 270-μm core fiber, 325-mJ, 300-μs, and 10 Hz. A tissue occluded catheter model was prepared using coagulated egg white within clear silicone tubing. An optimal TFL pulse rate of 50 Hz was determined, with an ablation rate of 150 μm/s and temperature rise outside the catheter of ∼10°C. High-speed camera images were used to explore the mechanism for removal of occlusions. Image guidance using a miniature, 0.7-mm outer diameter, 10,000 pixel endoscope was explored to improve procedure safety. With further development, simultaneous application of TFL with small fibers, miniature endoscope for image guidance, and irrigation tube for removal of tissue debris may provide a safe, efficient, and minimally invasive method of clearing occluded catheters in the treatment of hydrocephalus.

PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 22, 2017

Tissue dissection using a 1470-nm diode laser and laparoscopic prototype

Proc. SPIE. 10066, Energy-based Treatment of Tissue and Assessment IX

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Liver, Tissues, Optical coherence tomography, Semiconductor lasers, Laser ablation, Sapphire, Laser cutting, Laser beam diagnostics, Laser tissue interaction, Laparoscopy

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 6, 2017

Novel ureteroscope illumination designs

Proc. SPIE. 10038, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology: Lasers, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, and Advanced Biomedical Devices

KEYWORDS: Light sources, Safety, Tissues, Spectroscopy, Reflectivity, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Light sources and illumination, Thulium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Reflectance spectroscopy, Laser tissue interaction, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 6, 2017

Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy using a muzzle brake fiber tip

Proc. SPIE. 10038, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology: Lasers, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, and Advanced Biomedical Devices

KEYWORDS: Multimode fibers, Weapons, Safety, Laser therapeutics, Fiber optics, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Thulium, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 6, 2017

Miniature ureteroscope tip designs for use in thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 10038, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology: Lasers, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, and Advanced Biomedical Devices

KEYWORDS: Endoscopy, Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Fiber lasers, Endoscopes, Holmium, YAG lasers, Renal calculi, Prototyping, In vitro testing, Francium

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 6, 2017

Laparoscopic prototype for optical sealing of renal blood vessels

Proc. SPIE. 10038, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology: Lasers, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, and Advanced Biomedical Devices

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Tissues, Surgery, Blood vessels, High power lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Tissue optics, Blood pressure, Prototyping, Laparoscopy

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 6, 2017

Anti-reflection coated optical fibers for use in thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 10038, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology: Lasers, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, and Advanced Biomedical Devices

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Antireflective coatings, Laser therapeutics, Fiber optics, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Fiber coatings

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 6, 2017

Optical clearing of vaginal tissues

Proc. SPIE. 10038, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Urology: Lasers, Robotics, Minimally Invasive, and Advanced Biomedical Devices

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Scattering, Optical coherence tomography, Computer simulations, Monte Carlo methods, Transmittance, Optical simulations, Optical clearing, Reflectance spectroscopy, Tissue optics, Natural surfaces

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SPIE Journal Paper | January 12, 2017

Optical clearing of vaginal tissues, ex vivo, for minimally invasive laser treatment of female stress urinary incontinence

Chang, Chun-Hung , Myers, Erinn , Kennelly, Michael , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 22 Issue 01

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Optical clearing, Scattering, Laser therapeutics, Transmittance, Computer simulations, Optical coherence tomography, Tissue optics, Laser scattering, Monte Carlo methods

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SPIE Journal Paper | January 10, 2017

Fiber optic muzzle brake tip for reducing fiber burnback and stone retropulsion during thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Hutchens, Thomas , Gonzalez, David , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 22 Issue 01

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, Fiber optics, YAG lasers, Laser therapeutics, Pulsed laser operation, Magnesium, Metals, Calcium

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SPIE Journal Paper | April 7, 2016

Microscopic analysis of laser-induced proximal fiber tip damage during holmium:YAG and thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Wilson, Christopher , Hardy, Luke , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

OE Vol. 55 Issue 04

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Holmium, Laser therapeutics, Optical fibers, Confocal microscopy, Connectors, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Laser induced damage, Microscopes

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 29, 2016

Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy using small spherical distal fiber tips

Proc. SPIE. 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII

KEYWORDS: Safety, Laser therapeutics, Calcium, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Thulium, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Spherical lenses

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 29, 2016

Laser treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: optical, thermal, and tissue damage simulations

Proc. SPIE. 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Photons, Computer simulations, Laser irradiation, Monte Carlo methods, Optical simulations, Tissue optics, Natural surfaces, Photon transport, Laser tissue interaction

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 29, 2016

Proximal fiber tip damage during Holmium:YAG and thulium fiber laser ablation of kidney stones

Proc. SPIE. 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII

KEYWORDS: Confocal microscopy, Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Laser energy, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Thulium, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Connectors

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 29, 2016

Cavitation bubble dynamics during thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Structured optical fibers, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Cavitation, Pulsed laser operation, Fluid dynamics, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 29, 2016

Diffusing, side-firing, and radial delivery laser balloon catheters for creating subsurface thermal lesions in tissue

Proc. SPIE. 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Mirrors, Laser therapeutics, Liver, Tissues, Laser development, Fiber lasers, Infrared lasers, Ytterbium, Infrared radiation, Tissue optics, Laser beam diagnostics, Natural surfaces, Laser tissue interaction, Francium

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SPIE Journal Paper | January 19, 2016

Miniature ball-tip optical fibers for use in thulium fiber laser ablation of kidney stones

Wilson, Christopher , Hardy, Luke , Kennedy, Joshua , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 21 Issue 01

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Renal calculi, Optical fibers, Cavitation, Laser lithotripsy, Laser therapeutics, Magnesium, Calcium

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Optical fibers, consisting of 240-μm-core trunk fibers with rounded, 450-μm-diameter ball tips, are currently used during Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy to reduce mechanical damage to the inner lining of the ureteroscope working channel during fiber insertion and prolong ureteroscope lifetime. Similarly, this study tests a smaller, 100-μm-core fiber with 300-μm-diameter ball tip during thulium fiber laser (TFL) lithotripsy. TFL was operated at a wavelength of 1908 nm, with 35-mJ pulse energy, 500-μs pulse duration, and 300-Hz pulse rate. Calcium oxalate/phosphate stone samples were weighed, laser procedure times were measured, and ablation rates were calculated for ball tip fibers, with comparison to bare tip fibers. Photographs of ball tips were taken before and after each procedure to track ball tip degradation and determine number of procedures completed before need for replacement. A high speed camera also recorded the cavitation bubble dynamics during TFL lithotripsy. Additionally, saline irrigation rates and ureteroscope deflection were measured with and without the presence of TFL fiber. There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) between stone ablation rates for single-use ball tip fiber (1.3±0.4 mg/s) (n=10), multiple-use ball tip fiber (1.3±0.5 mg/s) (n=44), and conventional single-use bare tip fibers (1.3±0.2 mg/s) (n=10). Ball tip durability varied widely, but fibers averaged greater than four stone procedures before failure, defined by rapid decline in stone ablation rates. Mechanical damage at the front surface of the ball tip was the limiting factor in fiber lifetime. The small fiber diameter did not significantly impact ureteroscope deflection or saline flow rates. The miniature ball tip fiber may provide a cost-effective design for safe fiber insertion through the ureteroscope working channel and into the ureter without risk of instrument damage or tissue perforation, and without compromising stone ablation efficiency during TFL lithotripsy.

PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 15, 2015

Comparison of four lasers (650, 808, 980, and 1075 nm) for noninvasive creation of deep subsurface thermal lesions in tissue

Proc. SPIE. 9542, Medical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VII

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Liver, Tissues, Laser applications, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Ytterbium, Laser beam diagnostics, Natural surfaces, Laser tissue interaction

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 15, 2015

Thulium fiber laser damage to the ureter

Proc. SPIE. 9542, Medical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VII

KEYWORDS: Safety, Tissues, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser safety, Pulsed laser operation, Laser tissue interaction, In vitro testing

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | July 15, 2015

Electrical stimulation vs. pulsed and continuous-wave optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves, in vivo

Proc. SPIE. 9542, Medical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VII

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Nerve, Surgery, Electrodes, Single mode fibers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Prostate, Action potentials, In vivo imaging

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 26, 2015

Kidney stone ablation times and peak saline temperatures during Holmium:YAG and Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy, in vitro, in a ureteral model

Proc. SPIE. 9303, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XI

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Calcium, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Pulsed laser operation, Temperature metrology

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 26, 2015

Optical and electrical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves: priming and fatigue studies

Proc. SPIE. 9303, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XI

KEYWORDS: Nerve, Surgery, Electrodes, Laser energy, Diagnostics, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Collimation, Prostate, Temperature metrology

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 26, 2015

Thulium fiber laser damage to Nitinol stone baskets

Proc. SPIE. 9303, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XI

KEYWORDS: Gold, Safety, Laser therapeutics, Fiber lasers, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Laser safety, Pulsed laser operation, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 26, 2015

Infrared laser sealing of porcine tissues: preliminary in vivo studies

Proc. SPIE. 9303, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XI

KEYWORDS: Liver, Tissues, Blood vessels, Arteries, Collagen, Lung, Infrared lasers, In vivo imaging, Laser beam diagnostics, Prototyping

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SPIE Journal Paper | December 16, 2014

Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy in an in vitro ureter model

Hardy, Luke , Wilson, Christopher , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 19 Issue 12

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Holmium, Pulsed laser operation, YAG lasers, Laser therapeutics, In vitro testing, Laser lithotripsy, Calcium, Temperature metrology, Optical fibers

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SPIE Journal Paper | August 5, 2014

Thulium fiber laser ablation of kidney stones using a 50-μm-core silica optical fiber

Blackmon, Richard , Hutchens, Thomas , Hardy, Luke , Wilson, Christopher , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

OE Vol. 54 Issue 01

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, YAG lasers, Laser ablation, Optical fibers, Renal calculi, Silica, Laser lithotripsy, Gold, Calcium, Laser development

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SPIE Journal Paper | March 21, 2014

Rapid sealing and cutting of porcine blood vessels, ex vivo, using a high-power, 1470-nm diode laser

Giglio, Nicholas , Hutchens, Thomas , Perkins, William , Latimer, Cassandra , Ward, Arlen , Nau, William , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 19 Issue 03

KEYWORDS: Blood vessels, Laser cutting, Tissues, Ultrasonics, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Blood pressure, High power lasers, Surgery, Tissue optics

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Suture ligation with subsequent cutting of blood vessels to maintain hemostasis during surgery is time consuming and skill intensive. Energy-based electrosurgical and ultrasonic devices are often used to replace sutures and mechanical clips to provide rapid hemostasis and decrease surgery time. Some of these devices may create undesirably large collateral zones of thermal damage and tissue necrosis, or require separate mechanical blades for cutting. Infrared lasers are currently being explored as alternative energy sources for vessel sealing applications. In a previous study, a 1470-nm laser was used to seal vessels 1 to 6 mm in diameter in 5 s, yielding burst pressures of ∼500 mmHg . The purpose of this study was to provide vessel sealing times comparable with current energy-based devices, incorporate transection of sealed vessels, and demonstrate high vessel burst pressures to provide a safety margin for future clinical use. A 110-W, 1470-nm laser beam was transmitted through a fiber and beam shaping optics, producing a 90-W linear beam 3.0 by 9.5 mm for sealing (400 W/cm 2 ), and 1.1 by 9.6 mm for cutting (1080 W/cm 2 ). A two-step process sealed and then transected ex vivo porcine renal vessels (1.5 to 8.5 mm diameter) in a bench top setup. Seal and cut times were 1.0 s each. A burst pressure system measured seal strength, and histologic measurements of lateral thermal spread were also recorded. All blood vessels tested (n=55 seal samples) were sealed and cut, with total irradiation times of 2.0 s and mean burst pressures of 1305±783 mmHg . Additional unburst vessels were processed for histological analysis, showing a lateral thermal spread of 0.94±0.48 mm (n=14 seal samples). This study demonstrated that an optical-based system is capable of precisely sealing and cutting a wide range of porcine renal vessel sizes and, with further development, may provide an alternative to radiofrequency- and ultrasonic-based vessel sealing devices.

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 4, 2014

Rapid infrared laser sealing and cutting of porcine renal vessels, ex vivo

Proc. SPIE. 8926, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics X

KEYWORDS: Tissues, Surgery, Blood vessels, Ultrasonics, Infrared lasers, Electronic test equipment, Laser cutting, Blood pressure, Laser tissue interaction, Fusion energy

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 4, 2014

Rapid vaporization of kidney stones, ex vivo, using a Thulium fiber laser at pulse rates up to 500 Hz with a stone basket

Proc. SPIE. 8926, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics X

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Fiber lasers, Endoscopes, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 4, 2014

A compact, inexpensive infrared laser system for continuous-wave optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

Proc. SPIE. 8926, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics X

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Nerve, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Diodes, Infrared radiation, Prostate, YAG lasers, Laser systems engineering

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 4, 2014

Characterization of a 50-um-core optical fiber for potential use in Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 8926, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics X

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Modulation, Optical coherence tomography, Calcium, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Francium

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 4, 2014

An integrated fiber and stone basket device for use in Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 8926, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics X

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Silicon, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Pulsed laser operation, Francium

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SPIE Journal Paper | January 20, 2014

Detachable microsphere scalpel tips for potential use in ophthalmic surgery with the erbium:YAG laser

Hutchens, Thomas , Darafsheh, Arash , Fardad, Amir , Antoszyk, Andrew , Ying, Howard , Astratov, Vasily , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 19 Issue 01

KEYWORDS: Optical spheres, Surgery, Tissues, Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Laser ablation, Laser vision correction, Mid-IR, Laser tissue interaction, Laser cutting

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SPIE Journal Paper | July 1, 2013

Hollow steel tips for reducing distal fiber burn-back during thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Hutchens, Thomas , Blackmon, Richard , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 18 Issue 07

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, YAG lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, Optical fibers, Surface finishing, Pulsed laser operation, Cavitation, Calcium, Laser lithotripsy

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SPIE Journal Paper | June 3, 2013

Temperature-controlled optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

Tozburun, Serhat , Hutchens, Thomas , McClain, Michael , Lagoda, Gwen , Burnett, Arthur , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 18 Issue 06

KEYWORDS: Nerve, Prostate, Continuous wave operation, Temperature metrology, Infrared sensors, Sensors, Tissues, Surgery, Camera shutters, Biomedical optics

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SPIE Journal Paper | May 2, 2013

Infrared laser thermal fusion of blood vessels: preliminary ex vivo tissue studies

Cilip, Christopher , Rosenbury, Sarah , Giglio, Nicholas , Hutchens, Thomas , Schweinsberger, Gino , Kerr, Duane , Latimer, Cassandra , Nau, William , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 18 Issue 05

KEYWORDS: Blood vessels, Fiber lasers, Infrared lasers, Laser tissue interaction, Semiconductor lasers, Tissue optics, Tissues, Laser welding, Fusion energy, Surgery

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 26, 2013

Contact focusing multimodal probes for potential use in ophthalmic surgery with the Erbium:YAG laser

Proc. SPIE. 8567, Ophthalmic Technologies XXIII

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Mid-IR, Laser therapeutics, Optical spheres, Cornea, Tissues, Surgery, Retina, Laser ablation, Laser tissue interaction

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 8, 2013

Comparison of three pulsed infrared lasers for optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

Proc. SPIE. 8565, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics IX

KEYWORDS: Nerve, Surgery, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Prostate, Laser damage threshold, Holmium, Pulsed laser operation, Free electron lasers

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 8, 2013

Temperature-controlled optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

Proc. SPIE. 8565, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics IX

KEYWORDS: Infrared sensors, Nerve, Tissues, Cameras, Control systems, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Prostate, Radiometry, Temperature metrology

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 8, 2013

Comparison of detachable and tapered fiber optic tips for use in thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 8565, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics IX

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Polishing, Laser therapeutics, Interfaces, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Cavitation, Pulsed laser operation, Prototyping

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 8, 2013

Fiber optic suctioning of urinary stone phantoms during laser lithotripsy

Proc. SPIE. 8565, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics IX

KEYWORDS: Thermography, Fiber optics, Surgery, Laser energy, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Holmium, Laser lithotripsy, Cavitation, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 8, 2013

Thermal sealing of blood vessels using infrared lasers

Proc. SPIE. 8565, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics IX

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Tissues, Surgery, Blood vessels, Optical coherence tomography, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Tissue optics, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 8, 2013

Subsurface optical stimulation of rat prostate cavernous nerves using a continuous wave, single mode, 1490nm diode laser

Proc. SPIE. 8565, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics IX

KEYWORDS: Soft tissue optics, Nerve, Optical coherence tomography, Single mode fibers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Infrared radiation, Prostate, Laser damage threshold, Tissue optics

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SPIE Journal Paper | March 1, 2013

Detachable fiber optic tips for use in thulium fiber laser lithotripsy

Hutchens, Thomas , Blackmon, Richard , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 18 Issue 03

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Fiber optics, Interfaces, Pulsed laser operation, Prototyping, YAG lasers, Thulium, Thermography, Laser therapeutics

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SPIE Journal Paper | February 1, 2013

Fiber-optic manipulation of urinary stone phantoms using holmium:YAG and thulium fiber lasers

Blackmon, Richard , Case, Jason , Trammell, Susan , Irby, Pierce , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 18 Issue 02

KEYWORDS: Holmium, Pulsed laser operation, Fiber optics, Fiber lasers, YAG lasers, Water, Cavitation, Laser energy, Laser ablation, Surgery

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SPIE Journal Paper | June 11, 2012

Characterization of novel microsphere chain fiber optic tips for potential use in ophthalmic laser surgery

Hutchens, Thomas , Darafsheh, Arash , Fardad, Amir , Antoszyk, Andrew , Ying, Howard , Astratov, Vasily , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 17 Issue 06

KEYWORDS: Optical spheres, Tissues, Laser tissue interaction, Laser ablation, Er:YAG lasers, Fiber optics, Surgery, Laser therapeutics, Tissue optics, Cornea

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SPIE Journal Paper | April 11, 2012

Application of optical coherence tomography and high-frequency ultrasound imaging during noninvasive laser vasectomy

Cilip, Christopher , Fried, Nathaniel , Allaf, Mohamad

JBO Vol. 17 Issue 04

KEYWORDS: Optical coherence tomography, Skin, Ultrasonography, Cryogenics, Image segmentation, Image resolution, Imaging systems, Fiber lasers, Transducers, Tissues

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SPIE Journal Paper | February 28, 2012

Enhanced thulium fiber laser lithotripsy using micro-pulse train modulation

Blackmon, Richard , Fried, Nathaniel , Irby, Pierce

JBO Vol. 17 Issue 02

KEYWORDS: Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Laser therapeutics, Laser lithotripsy, Modulation, Surgery, Optical fibers, Optical coherence tomography

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 9, 2012

Optical coherence tomography vs. high-frequency ultrasound during noninvasive laser coagulation of the canine vas deferens

Proc. SPIE. 8207, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VIII

KEYWORDS: Laser coagulation, Tissues, Imaging systems, Ultrasonography, Optical coherence tomography, Image segmentation, Skin, Image resolution, Transducers, Cryogenics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 9, 2012

Selective laser vaporization of polypropylene sutures and mesh

Proc. SPIE. 8207, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VIII

KEYWORDS: Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Cameras, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Laser irradiation, Laser ablation, Pulsed laser operation, Laser tissue interaction, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 9, 2012

Improved thulium fiber laser vaporization of urinary stones using micro-pulse packets

Proc. SPIE. 8207, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VIII

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Modulation, Surgery, Optical coherence tomography, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 9, 2012

Subsurface optical stimulation of the rat prostate nerves using continuous-wave near-infrared laser radiation

Proc. SPIE. 8207, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VIII

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Nerve, Tissues, Surgery, Single mode fibers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Prostate, Laser damage threshold, Prostate cancer

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 2, 2012

Photonic nanojet-induced modes: fundamentals and applications

Proc. SPIE. 8264, Integrated Optics: Devices, Materials, and Technologies XVI

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Optical spheres, Sensors, Signal attenuation, Ruby, Ray tracing, Geometrical optics, Radio propagation, Photonic nanostructures

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | January 30, 2012

Novel microsphere chain fiber tips for use in mid-infrared ophthalmic laser surgery

Proc. SPIE. 8218, Optical Fibers and Sensors for Medical Diagnostics and Treatment Applications XII

KEYWORDS: Mid-IR, Optical spheres, Cornea, Tissues, Surgery, Retina, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Sapphire, Er:YAG lasers

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SPIE Journal Paper | July 1, 2011

Comparison of holmium:YAG and thulium fiber laser lithotripsy: ablation thresholds, ablation rates, and retropulsion effects

Blackmon, Richard , Fried, Nathaniel , Irby, Pierce

JBO Vol. 16 Issue 07

KEYWORDS: Laser ablation, Pulsed laser operation, Fiber lasers, YAG lasers, Laser damage threshold, Laser therapeutics, Optical fibers, Surgery, Laser energy, Calcium

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 19, 2011

Focusing capability of integrated chains of microspheres in the limit of geometrical optics

Proc. SPIE. 7913, Laser Resonators and Beam Control XIII

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Mid-IR, Eye, Biomedical optics, Optical spheres, Laser vision correction, Sapphire, Geometrical optics, Tissue optics, Hollow waveguides

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 18, 2011

Continuous-wave optical stimulation of the rat prostate nerves using an all-single-mode 1455 nm diode laser and fiber system

Proc. SPIE. 7883, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VII

KEYWORDS: Optical components, Continuous wave operation, Nerve, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, Infrared lasers, Infrared radiation, Prostate, Laser damage threshold, Tissue optics

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 18, 2011

Optical and thermal simulations of noninvasive laser coagulation of the human vas deferens

Proc. SPIE. 7883, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VII

KEYWORDS: Optical properties, Tissues, Skin, Monte Carlo methods, Optical simulations, Tissue optics, Pulsed laser operation, Cryogenics, Laser tissue interaction, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 18, 2011

Continuous-wave vs. pulsed infrared laser stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

Proc. SPIE. 7883, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VII

KEYWORDS: Continuous wave operation, Nerve, Diagnostics, Fiber lasers, Infrared lasers, Laser irradiation, Prostate, Laser damage threshold, Prostate cancer, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 18, 2011

Holmium:YAG (wavelength=2120 nm) vs. Thulium fiber laser (wavelength=1908 nm) ablation of kidney stones: thresholds, rates, and retropulsion

Proc. SPIE. 7883, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VII

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Surgery, Laser energy, Fiber lasers, Laser ablation, Laser damage threshold, YAG lasers, Renal calculi, Pulsed laser operation

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 18, 2011

Fourier domain versus time domain optical coherence tomography of the prostate nerves

Proc. SPIE. 7883, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VII

KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Nerve, Tissues, Imaging systems, Opacity, Optical coherence tomography, Denoising, Image quality, Prostate, In vivo imaging

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 18, 2011

Comparison of 808, 980, and 1075nm lasers for noninvasive thermal coagulation of the canine vas deferens, ex vivo

Proc. SPIE. 7883, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics VII

KEYWORDS: Laser coagulation, Skin, Laser development, Fiber lasers, Semiconductor lasers, In vivo imaging, Pulsed laser operation, Cryogenics, Laser tissue interaction, Absorption

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | February 8, 2011

A review of Thulium fiber laser ablation of kidney stones

Proc. SPIE. 7914, Fiber Lasers VIII: Technology, Systems, and Applications

KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Laser therapeutics, Fiber lasers, Endoscopes, Laser ablation, YAG lasers, Laser lithotripsy, Renal calculi, Pulsed laser operation, Absorption

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SPIE Journal Paper | September 1, 2010

Continuous-wave infrared optical nerve stimulation for potential diagnostic applications

Tozburun, Serhat , Cilip, Christopher , Lagoda, Gwen , Burnett, Arthur , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 15 Issue 05

KEYWORDS: Nerve, Continuous wave operation, Pulsed laser operation, Diagnostics, Laser damage threshold, Laser irradiation, Infrared lasers, Fiber lasers, Tissue optics, Thermography

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SPIE Journal Paper | July 1, 2010

Combined image-processing algorithms for improved optical coherence tomography of prostate nerves

Chitchian, Shahab , Weldon, Thomas , Fiddy, Michael , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 15 Issue 04

KEYWORDS: Prostate, Image segmentation, Optical coherence tomography, Denoising, Edge detection, Wavelets, Wavelet transforms, Detection and tracking algorithms, Tissues, Image filtering

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SPIE Journal Paper | July 1, 2010

Application of an optical clearing agent during noninvasive laser coagulation of the canine vas deferens

Cilip, Christopher , Ross, Ashley , Jarow, Jonathan , Fried, Nathaniel

JBO Vol. 15 Issue 04

KEYWORDS: Skin, Optical clearing, In vivo imaging, Cryogenics, Laser coagulation, Laser tissue interaction, Transparency, Tissues, Fiber lasers, Natural surfaces

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PROCEEDINGS ARTICLE | March 3, 2010

Gaussian versus flat-top spatial beam profiles for optical stimulation of the prostate nerves