Online measurement and evaluation of the Er:YAG laser ablation process using an integrated OCT system

Abstract

Laser surgery has gained clinical importance due to numerous advantages including contact-free processing, arbitrary cutting geometries, and high precision. However, online process control remains a challenge for widespread clinical use. Therefore, we established a combined setup of a pulsed Er:YAG laser ( = 2940 nm) and an optical coherence tomogra-phy (OCT) ( = 930 nm) for in situ monitoring of hard tissue ablation. The optical setup facilitates an interactive control of the laser ablation depth and remaining tissue strength through the depth resolution of OCT. The 3D OCT data-set, which is acquired after ablation, provides contours and layer thicknesses.