Optical diagnostic and therapy applications of femtosecond laser radiation using lens-axicon focusing

Abstract

Diagnostic modalities by means of optical and/or near infrared femtosecond radiation through biological media can in principle be adapted to therapeutic applications. Of specific interest are soft tissue diagnostics and subsequent therapy through hard tissue such as bone. Femto-second laser pulses are delivered to hydroxyapatite representing bone, and photo-acoustic spectroscopy is presented in order to identify the location of optical anomalies in an otherwise homogeneous medium. Imaging through bone is being considered for diagnostic, and potentially therapeutic, applications related to brain tumors. The use of mesomeric optics such as lens-axicon combinations is of interest to achieve the favorable distribution of focused radiation. Direct therapy by increasing local temperature to induce hyperthermia is one mode of brain tumor therapy. This can be enhanced by seeding the tumor with nanoparticles. Opto-acoustic imaging using femtosecond laser radiation is a further opportunity for diagnosis.