Laser Fibers

Holmium
Laser Fibers

Handling Tips

Frequently Asked Question

Fiber Recycling Program

Other Fibers

Laser Accessories

Background

The Odyssey holmium laser system uses a flexible fiber-optic delivery system ("fiber") to deliver both the working laser energy and the green visible aiming beam. The fiber delivery system is typically used in conjunction with a rigid or flexible endoscope to access the surgical site.

Fiber optics work on the principle of total internal reflection. Laser energy is focused into a glass silica fiber at the proximal end and traverses the length of the fiber by means of total internal reflection. The fiber is able to contain the laser beam and funnels the laser energy from the proximal end to the distal end with less than 1% energy loss per meter.

Holmium laser fibers are made up of four different layers. The silica core (blue) is the channel that transmits the laser energy. The core is wrapped with a very thin cladding layer (orange) that increases the strength of the fiber, adding to its flexibility. The next layer is the coating (green) which protects the fiber during the stripping process. The outermost layer is the buffer. The buffer (purple) is made of a softer material that protects the fiber from rough handling.

Fiber Handling Precautions

Fibers are delicate optical instruments and should be handled with care. The typical fiber has a core diameter approximately five times the width of a human hair.

Observe the following precautions when handling fibers.

• Do not bend fibers to a diameter of less than six inches (15 cm).
• Keep the connector dry and free from contaminants. Any soiling or scratches on the surface of the proximal end can cause damage when laser energy is applied.
• Do not use a damaged fiber. Inspect the fiber's proximal end and verify its transmission before each use.
• Replace the dust cap on the proximal end of the fiber upon removal from the laser aperture.

Fiber Usage Tips

• Do not over-tighten the connector onto the laser aperture.
• Do not place sharp objects on or near fibers. This prevents mechanical damage.
• The distal end of a fiber is sharp and can puncture or damage tissue and material. To protect from damaging flexible endoscopes, never extend or retract the distal end of a fiber past the end of the working channel while the endoscope is deflected. Likewise, when deflecting the endoscope with the fiber exposed be careful not to scratch or puncture tissue.
• While lasing, the distal tip should be in "near-contact" with the target tissue or calculi. Contacting the fiber to the target tissue will degrade the fiber tip and reduce the effectiveness of the laser.
• Understand that energy density depends heavily on the fiber core size. For the same power setting, a 200 micron fiber delivers four times the energy density of a 400 micron fiber.

Using an fiber inspection microscope, view and compare the magnified image to the following graphics.

Usable Fiber
New Fiber
Damaged Fibers
Burnt Fiber	Dirty Fiber	Scratched Fiber
NOTE: if a fiber has been damaged the blast shield in the laser system should be immediately rotated to the next clean position.

Chipped, cracked or broken fibers may cause harmful laser energy to "leak" from the fiber optics. Fortunately, these problems can be easily identified by using a fiber inspection microscope. Attach the fiber connector onto the fiber inspection microscope. Turn on the microscope light source. Point the distal tip of the fiber to a bright light source such as an overhead light or sunlight. Compare the magnified image with the graphics below.

Usable Fiber
Good Fiber
Unusable Fibers
Cracked Fiber	Chipped Fiber	Burnt or Broken Fiber