Development and clinical test of a MR-compatible stereotactic probe for laser-neurosurgery with real-time monitoring

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 95.0170-2

Key words (English)

Diode-pumped picosecond passive mode-locked laser; SESAM; regenerative amplifier

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: BMH4-CT96-0716

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 4.2 Agriculture and agroindustry

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Universität Köln (D)

Abstract (English)

The goal of this proposal was to demonstrate the use of a high-power picosecond laser system combined with a stereotactic-guided probe to precisely and carefully ablate brain tumors using three-dimensional data from CT and MR recordings. Time-Bandwidth Products AG has developed the high-power picosecond laser system. Key features of this system are reduced size (more easily movable), lower cost, reduced maintenance, and increased reliability compared to current laser systems. We base our laser technology on the use of solid-state diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG crystals and a novel passive pulse-generation technique using solid-state semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs).
As of this final annual report, we have successfully demonstrated the complete system consisting of the seed oscillator, the regenerative amplifier, and a multi-pass final amplifier. We have demonstrated an average output power of up to 10W at a pulse repetition rate of 4 kHz, which is achieving the final goals for the system. More typically we achieve 6 to 8W of average power, were the limitation is due to the onset of optical damage in the last amplifier stage. We have shipped the system to our partners in Germany and have installed and trained them concerning its operation.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 95.0170-2