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Biomedical subjects

T Lasser

Publications and source records attributed to T Lasser.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Extended focus depth for Fourier domain optical coherence microscopy.

We report on a new detection scheme for Fourier domain optical coherence microscopy that exhibits high transverse resolution along an axially extended focal range. Nearly constant transverse resolution of approximately 1.5 microm along a focal range of 200 microm is experimentally verified with a maximum sensitivity of 105 dB. A broad-bandwidth Ti:sapphire laser allowed for an axial resolution of 3 microm in air.

Equipment Design↗

High light field confinement for fluorescent correlation spectroscopy using a solid immersion lens.

In this paper we present recent single molecule detection experiment using a solid immersion lens (SIL) for fluorescent correlation spectroscopy measurements. We compared the performance of the SIL in combination with an air objective (40x, numerical aperture (NA)=1.15) with a water immersion objective (40x, NA=0.6) in a confocal microscope system (ConfoCorr 1). Important parameters for single molecule experiments such as collection efficiency and excitation field confinement were investigated. Although the two set-ups have similar numerical aperture the measurements demonstrated higher field confinement and better collection efficiency for the SIL system in comparison to the conventional confocal set-up. Adding spherical aberrations shifts the sample volume up to 4 microm away from the plane surface of the SIL and conserves a diffraction limited focal volume. In this case the FCS autocorrelation demonstrates a free 3D diffusion of dye molecules in a highly confined light field.

Equipment Design↗

Spatially incoherent illumination as a mechanism for cross-talk suppression in wide-field optical coherence tomography.

Comparison of two illumination modes for wide-field optical coherence tomography has revealed that spatially coherent illumination generates coherent cross talk, causing significant image degradation, and that spatially incoherent illumination, with an adequate interferometer design, provides an efficient mechanism for suppression of coherent cross talk. This is shown by comparison of a pulsed laser with a thermal light source for a U.S. Air Force resolution target covered with a scattering solution made from microbeads as well as for an ex vivo tooth.

Artifacts↗

Self-referenced method for optical path difference calibration in low-coherence interferometry.

A simple method for the calibration of optical path difference modulation in low-coherence interferometry is presented. Spectrally filtering a part of the detected interference signal results in a high-coherence signal that encodes the scan imperfections and permits their correction. The method is self-referenced in the sense that no secondary high-coherence light source is necessary. Using a spectrometer setup for spectral filtering allows for flexibility in both the choice of calibration wavelength and the maximum scan range. To demonstrate the method's usefulness, it is combined with a recently published digital spectral shaping technique to measure the thickness of a pellicle beam splitter with a white-light source.

Calibration↗

High-speed femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy with a smart pixel detector array.

A new femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy technique is demonstrated that permits the high-speed, parallel acquisition of pump-probe measurements at multiple wavelengths. This is made possible by use of a novel, two-dimensional smart pixel detector array that performs amplitude demodulation in real time on each pixel. This detector array can not only achieve sensitivities comparable with lock-in amplification but also simultaneously performs demodulation of probe transmission signals at multiple wavelengths, thus permitting rapid time- and wavelength-resolved femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Measurements on a thin sample of bulk GaAs are performed across 58 simultaneous wavelengths. Differential probe transmission changes as small as approximately 2 x 10(-4) can be measured over a 5-ps delay scan in only approximately 3 min. This technology can be applied to a wide range of pump-probe measurements in condensed matter, chemistry, and biology.

Journal Article↗

Mathematical simulation of retinal image contrast after photorefractive keratectomy with a diaphragm mask.

BACKGROUND: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a dilating diaphragm mask engraves a delicate three-dimensional staircase pattern into a formerly smooth corneal surface. The created steps are later smoothed by tear film and wound healing processes. The present study investigates, in a mathematical simulation, the effects that such staircase patterns and their smoothing may have on retinal image contrast. METHODS: All simulations are based on the Gullstrand eye model and calculate retinal image contrast from point spread function (PSF) analysis of Gullstrand eyes treated by simulated PRK under various conditions. RESULTS: The simulations indicate that PRK can reduce retinal contrast markedly. The most critical factor for such a reduction is the step height of the ablation pattern. With step heights below 0.4 microns, loss of contrast due to the created staircase pattern is always moderate and should be restored during early wound healing. Complete wound healing may smooth out larger step heights. Micromovements during PRK also can lead to partial loss of retinal image contrast. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation of retinal contrast after PRK shows that step heights below 0.4 microns seem to be acceptable. A minimization of the micromovements during PRK can offset some of the reduction of retinal contrast.

Contrast Sensitivity↗

[Decrease of retinal image contrast after photorefractive keratectomy, improvement within the scope of surface restitution].

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with the ArF excimer lasers in current use usually approximates the intended corneal curvature by a mean of a delicate step-type pattern that is smooth off afterwards by reepithelialization and tear film. The present study was based on a model eye with axial myopia of -6 D but otherwise the optical and geometric properties of the Gullstrand model eye and was designed to investigate to what extent. (1) corneal step patterns can reduce retinal image contrast and (2) smoothing effects can restore such a loss. METHODS. The corneal surface resulting from PRK in the case of a myopia of -6 D (optical zone diameter 6 mm) is calculated for the parameters of the model eye. The retinal image contrasts of bar patterns are calculated by PSF (point spread function) analysis: varying size of pupil, wavelength, bar width, ablation step height and degree of smoothing. RESULTS. Step height influences retinal image contrast crucially. With step heights above 0.4 micron a massive loss of retinal image contrast must be expected, which can, however, be corrected to a useful extent by surface-smoothing effects. CONCLUSION. This study indicates that PRK with excimer lasers should be performed with low fluence and correspondingly low corneal step heights.

Computer Simulation↗

Kinetics and dynamics of sematilide.

Sematilide HCl is a novel class III antiarrhythmic drug. The goals of this study in volunteers were to determine the pharmacokinetics, effect (QTc interval), and tolerability after intravenous and oral administration of 25 mg of the drug. Plasma and urine concentrations were measured by a specific high-performance liquid chromatography method. Pharmacokinetic data analysis used a compartment model independent approach. An effect on QTc was observed only after intravenous administration, and its relationship to the plasma concentration showed a counterclockwise hysteresis. A semiparametric approach was used to collapse the hysteresis and then evaluate the effect-site-concentration-to-effect relationship. After intravenous and oral administration, 75.1 (6.5)% (mean +/- SD) and 36.0 (11.5)% of the dose was excreted unchanged in urine, respectively. The respective renal clearances were 250 (41) ml.min-1 and 222 (44) ml.min-1. The bioavailability of sematilide was 0.47 (0.15). A maximum percent effect on QTc of 12 (1)% occurred with a delay of 14 min after termination of an intravenous infusion of 10 min. After collapsing the hysteresis, the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic data could be fitted appropriately by a linear model in four subjects and by an Emax model in two subjects. Sematilide HCl was well tolerated.

Administration, Oral↗

[Photocoagulation in the edematous and non-edematous retina with the cw-laser of different wavelengths].

The impact of wavelength upon the laser power required in photocoagulation of oedematous and non-oedematous retinal areas was investigated in a restricted clinical study. The following laser systems were applied: an argon laser (514 nm), a diode-pumped frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) and a diode laser (810 nm). All lasers had broadly similar properties as regards beam characteristics, beam conduction and application optics. Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients with diabetic retinopathy were included in the study. Each eye was treated with each laser in areas of edema and no edema. Apart from the wavelength, laser power was the only variable permitted. The power required for photocoagulation at 514 nm and 532 nm was identical under every aspect of the study. In comparison with 514 nm or 532 nm photocoagulations, 810 nm photocoagulations required 6.0 +/- 0.9-fold higher power settings in nonedematous retina and 5.75 +/- 1.0 fold higher power settings in edematous retina. At every wavelength investigated, retinal edema raised the average laser power needed by more than 20%. The extent of this effect seems to decline with longer wavelengths.

Adult↗

Corneal morphology in vitro after superficial keratectomy with q-switched Er:YSGG and free-running Er:YAG lasers.

PURPOSE: Examination of morphology in corneal ablation induced by a q-switched Er:YSGG (2.79 microm) laser and a free-running Er:YAG laser (2.94 microm). METHODS: Defined ablation of 6-mm diameter and 15, 30, 55, 90, and 120-microm depth was performed on freshly enucleated swine eyes. Er:YSGG laser parameters: fluence 1.6 J/cm2, frequency 6 Hz, spot-size 465 microm FWHM, scanning-mode, pulse number 1520 to 6210. Er:YAG laser parameters: fluence 3 J/cm2, frequency 1.5 Hz, spotsize 6 mm, wide area ablation, pulse number 2 to 13. Corneal morphology was analyzed by gross photography, histology, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning nearfield acoustic microscopy. RESULTS: Histology showed thermal damage of 5 to 15 microm in depth caused by the Er:YSGG laser in comparison with 10 to 20 microm by the Er:YAG laser. Average roughness of the ablated surface measured with scanning nearfield acoustic microscopy was 20 to 40 microm for the Er:YSGG laser and 5 to 15 microm for the Er:YAG laser. These data confirm the subjective impression of images created by scanning electron microscopy and gross photography. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Er:YAG laser system appeared to demonstrate a smoother corneal surface than the q-switched Er:YSGG laser, the thermal damage in either case poses a potential limitation for clinical use in lamellar refractive surgery.

Animals↗