THESIS · The Single Optical Fibre Scalpel

The Single Optical Fibre Scalpel

Modern laser microsurgery requires compact ultrafast laser sources and miniature fibre-optic probes. The aim of this project is to develop a scanner-free and ultra-thin single multimode optical fibre scalpel to perform image-guided high-precision microsurgery. In this project, we will tackle the key challenges in the field of laser microsurgery: i) The lack of robust and compact ultrafast laser sources; ii) bulky laser-pulse delivery probes; and iii) the lack of simultaneous high-resolution imaging modalities to guide the surgery. In this proposed research, we developed a new dissipative-soliton-resonance (DSR) ultrafast fibre laser and tried to integrate the DSR laser to the single multimode fibre imaging system. It is expected to make new advancements and discoveries in a number of emerging topics at the forefront of Photonics, such as DSR ultrafast fibre laser technology, single multimode fibre imaging, and ultrafast laser microsurgery. In addition, the results arising from nonlinear imaging of the biological tissue and ultrafast-laser-tissue interaction will inform clinical and biomedical research on biomaterials properties and disease pathology. These are central to the research theme priority of personalising health and care in Horizon 2020 - producing knowledge that will be applied in the area of health and medicine. The commercial value of the new ultrafast fibre-based light sources and the medical instrument for in-vivo endoscopic imaging and microsurgery will also be explored during this project. Overall objectives: we aim to develop a novel single MMF ultrafast laser scalpel functioning as both a high resolution imaging probe and a high-precision microsurgery laser knife. This single MMF laser scalpel will be scanner-free, lensless, ultra-thin, high-resolution, low cost and with a precision to target single cells. We will also develop a new DSR ultrafast laser source, and then integrate it with the single MMF laser scalpel. This DSR source will enable both ultrafast nonlinear imaging and tissue ablation simultaneously with tuneable parameters such as pulse width, pulse energy, centre wavelength and repetition rate.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union