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Results for “Thulium”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Clinical evaluation criteria for the assessment of impaired pain sensitivity by thulium-laser evoked potentials.

OBJECTIVES: Cortical potentials evoked by carbon dioxide laser pulses have been applied in clinical practice to study nociceptive pathways for several years. In this study, we evaluate the properties of an infrared laser (thulium-YAG) with a penetration depth in the skin that matches the intracutaneous depth of nociceptors. METHODS: Temperature measurements and modelling showed that the thulium laser generates painful intracutaneous temperatures with less surface heating than the carbon dioxide laser and with no side effects (up to 600 mJ pulse energy). To develop clinical evaluation criteria, laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) were recorded from 3 midline positions (Fz, Cz, Pz) versus linked earlobes in 23 healthy subjects. Within a session, two skin areas were studied twice in a balanced sequence using randomized interstimulus intervals and two intensities in randomized order. RESULTS: After hand and foot stimulation with 540 mJ pulses, all subjects showed reproducible biphasic vertex potential, consisting of a negativity (hand: 210 ms, foot: 250 ms) and a positivity (hand: 330 ms, foot: 380 ms). Mean habituation of the vertex potential amplitude across runs was 25% (hand) or 16% (foot); due to the balanced sequence it did not affect the other comparisons. Following foot stimulation, peak latencies were significantly longer (by 40-50 ms) and amplitudes were significantly smaller than following hand stimulation (22.5+/-6.7 vs. 30.3+/-10.9 microV, mean+/-SD). Using 2. 5 standard deviations from the mean as a cut-off, absolute normative values were determined for peak latencies and amplitudes. In addition, relative normative values were determined for paired comparisons (hand-hand, foot-foot, hand-foot). CONCLUSIONS: The thulium-YAG laser is a useful tool for assessment of impaired pain sensitivity. Representative case reports illustrate that unlike for early SEP components, the most frequent LEP abnormalities were amplitude differences.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A chemical definition of the effective reducing power of thulium(II) diiodide by its reactions with cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Thulium diiodide reduces cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have reduction potentials more positive than - 2.0 V versus SCE. Thus, TmI2 reacts with cyclooctatetraene or acenaphthylene in THF, or with lithium anthracenide in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) to give thulium triiodide and the thulium(III) complexes [(eta8-C8H8)TmI(thf)2] (1), rac-ansa-[(eta5-C12H8)2TmI(thf)] (2), or [(eta2-C14H10)TmI-(dme)2] (3), respectively. The molecular structures of 1-3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Single-frequency thulium-doped distributed-feedback fiber laser.

We have successfully demonstrated a single-frequency distributed-feedback (DFB) thulium-doped silica fiber laser emitting at a wavelength of 1735 nm. The laser cavity is less than 5 cm long and is formed by intracore UV-written Bragg gratings with a phase shift. The laser is pumped at 790 nm from a Ti:sapphire laser and has a threshold pump power of 59 mW. The laser has a maximum output power of 1 mW in a single-frequency, single-polarization radiation mode and is tunable over a few nanometers. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a single-frequency DFB fiber laser that uses thulium as the amplifying medium. The lasing wavelength is the longest demonstrated with DFB fiber lasers and yet is among the shortest obtained for thulium-doped silica fiber lasers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Quantification of holmium: YAG and thulium: YAG laser-induced scleral shrinkage for buckling procedures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To quantify and compare holmium:YAG (2.1 microns) and thulium:YAG (2.0 microns) laser-induced scleral shrinkage for retinal buckling procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two overlapping spots of either laser radiation were applied at the equatorial sclera of 50 human cadaver eyes. Scleral shrinkage was expressed as a relative change of length between two reference points on the scleral surface, and quantified as a function of energy per pulse, total energy, scleral thickness, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Tissue effects were studied histopathologically. RESULTS: Shrinkage was most dependent on total fluence and attained a maximum of 27% to 30% with an IOP of 4 mm Hg, regardless of scleral thickness or laser parameters, but decreased with increasing IOP. The thulium:YAG laser produced more efficient scleral shrinkage and less collagen damage than the holmium:YAG laser. CONCLUSION: The recommended parameters for laser-induced scleral shrinkage are the thulium:YAG laser, with 2.4 J/cm2 per pulse and 12.0 to 14.4 J/cm2 total fluence (5 to 6 pulses). IOP control (< or = 4 mm Hg) is crucial during laser scleral buckling.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

[Thulium laser evoked potentials. Normative values for the arms and legs].

Laser somatosensory evoked potentials (LSEP) evaluate the functional integrity of thermoalgic pathways by the specific stimulation of A delta and C nociceptive afferences. As compared to a CO2 laser, the thulium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) laser may be conducted by an optic fiber, which allows easier access to the stimulated body sites. We present normative data on thulium YAG LSEPs recorded after stimulation of upper and lower limbs (N = 15). LSEPs were obtained with a stimulation intensity that was twice the nociceptive threshold at the upper limbs (UL) and one and a half at the lower limbs (LL). To ensure a stable attentional level, subjects were asked to estimate stimulus intensity after each stimulation. The nociceptive thresholds at upper and lower limbs were respectively 319 +/- 65 mJ and 359 +/- 95, and with the above methodology the LSEPs could be obtained in every subject. The latencies of N2 and P2 were respectively 199 +/- 18 ms and 325 +/- 37 ms at the UL, 239 +/- 36 ms and 378 +/- 38 ms at the LL. This method produced robust and reproducible results and proved to be reliable for routine clinical use. To optimise response stability we propose that right/left stimulation be conducted following an 'A-B-B-A' procedure.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Terphenyl ligand systems in lanthanide chemistry: use of the 2,6-di(1-naphthyl)phenyl ligand for the synthesis of kinetically stabilized complexes of trivalent ytterbium, thulium, and yttrium.

The molecular structures of terphenyl derivatives of trivalent ytterbium, thulium, and yttrium of general composition DnpLnCl(2)(THF)(2) [Dnp = 2,6-di(1-naphthyl)phenyl] are reported. The complexes (Ln = Yb: 1; Ln = Tm: 2; Ln = Y: 3) are synthesized by reaction of 1 equiv of DnpLi with 1 equiv of LnCl(3) (Ln = Yb, Tm, or Y) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature in 50% yield. Attempts to prepare a Dnp scandium compound gave heterobimetallic [(THF)(3)Sc(2)OCl(5)Li(THF)](2) (4) in low yield. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. Crystal data for 1 at 203 K: a = 14.333(3) A, b = 16.353(3) A, c = 12.427(2) A, beta = 91.021(4) degrees, Z = 4, D(calcd) = 1.637 g cm(-3), R(1) = 4.44%. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. Crystal data for 2 at 203 K: a = 14.333(1) A, b = 16.374(2) A, c = 12.404(1) A, beta = 90.934(2) degrees, Z = 4, D(calcd) = 1.628 g cm(-3), R(1) = 3.00%. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. Crystal data for 3 at 203 K: a = 14.348(3) A, b = 16.476(3) A, c = 12.356(2) A, beta = 90.987(4) degrees, Z = 4, D(calcd) = 1.441 g cm(-3), R(1) = 5.62%. 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n. Crystal data for 4 at 203 K: a = 11.0975(9) A, b = 11.0976(9) A, c = 21.3305(18) A, beta = 94.718(2) degrees, Z = 2, D(calcd) = 1.051 g cm(-3), R(1) = 3.45%. Complexes 1-3 represent examples of novel chiral (racemic) organometallic complexes of the lanthanide elements ytterbium and thulium and the group 3 element yttrium, respectively. The molecular structures of monomeric 1-3 exhibit distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environments at the metal center, with the two oxygen atoms of the tetrahydrofuran ligands occupying the axial positions of a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination polyeder. The molecular structure of the scandium compound 4 shows a complex polynuclear heterobimetallic arrangement.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Temperature dependence of light absorption in water at holmium and thulium laser wavelengths.

A simple experimental setup is described that facilitates accurate measurements of the temperature-dependent water absorption coefficient in the mid-infrared spectral region. With this setup, the absorption of holmium and thulium laser radiation in water was quantified to a precision of 0.5%. In the 20-100 degrees C temperature range, a linear decrease of the absorption coefficient with temperature is observed. The slope coefficients amount to -0.104 +/- 0.001 and -0.259 +/- 0.003 l/(K cm) for 2090-nm holmium and 2014-nm thulium radiation, respectively. At both wavelengths, this bleaching reduces the absorption coefficients of water at 100 degrees C by one third when compared with room temperature. A numerical simulation shows that the variable absorption has a noticeable influence on peak temperatures in laser heating of water.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy and safety of thulium fiber laser versus conventional holmium:YAG laser in anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate: a systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Anatomical endoscopic enucleation is an established treatment for benign prostatic obstruction. Whether thulium fiber laser enucleation (ThuFLEP) improves outcomes over conventional holmium:YAG laser enucleation (HoLEP) remains uncertain. We compared the efficacy and safety of ThuFLEP versus non-MOSES-modulated HoLEP. METHODS: We performed a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis of randomised and comparative cohort studies comparing ThuFLEP and conventional HoLEP in adult men. Six databases were searched. Outcomes included International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS quality-of-life score, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual volume, hospital stay, and complications. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed with RoB 2/ROBINS-I and GRADE. RESULTS: Seven non-overlapping comparative populations in eight publications included 3,509 patients. ThuFLEP was associated with a small statistically significant reduction in IPSS at 3 months (mean difference [MD] -1.04 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.81 to -0.28) of uncertain clinical relevance. Qmax differences were small and directionally inconsistent across follow-up (favouring HoLEP at 3 months and ThuFLEP at 6 and 12 months) and derived mainly from retrospective cohorts, with neutral randomised subgroups. Stress and urge urinary incontinence were less frequent overall (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96, and RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.68), but both estimates depended on one large registry cohort and were not robust to its exclusion. Most other complications and hospital stay showed no clear between-group difference. Limitations include few studies per outcome, heterogeneity, sparse safety events, inconsistent prostate-specific antigen reporting, and mostly low/very low certainty evidence. CONCLUSION: ThuFLEP and conventional HoLEP are clinically comparable with no definitive superiority of either laser. Platform selection should be individualised according to surgeon expertise, institutional resources, and patient characteristics. Future trials should standardise cost-effectiveness outcomes and investigate whether the distinct laser-tissue interactions impact adenoma clearance, PSA reduction, enucleation completeness, and long-term durability.

Humans↗

PubMed2003

Soft and hard tissue ablation with short-pulse high peak power and continuous thulium-silica fibre lasers.

Thulium lasers operating near approximately 2 microm are the subject of interest for various medical applications. The newly developed Tm3+ silica fibre laser in Q-switched and CW operation was investigated to determine its efficiency in the interaction with soft and hard tissues. The interaction was investigated using a free-running continuous (CW) Tm(3+)-doped fibre laser (wavelength 1.99 microm, with self-pulsation ranging over 1 to few tens of microseconds) and for novel Q-switched operation of the same fibre laser (pulse durations from 150 to 900 ns and pulse repetition rates from 100 Hz to 17 kHz). Residual damage and affected zones using the Q-switched laser were nearly six times smaller than using the CW fibre laser for about 50 s of exposure time, and increased with pulse repetition rate. The energy required to ablate tissue with the Q-switched fibre laser ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 kJ/cm3 and was significantly smaller than that for the CW fibre laser of 153 to 334 kJ/cm3. Under both high-resolution reflected optical microscopy and histological examination, tissue crater depths were observed as cleanly cut with smooth walls and minimal charring in the case of Q-switched operation of the fibre laser. This study is the first direct comparison of tissue interaction of short-pulse (Q-switched) and CW Tm(3+)-doped silica fibre lasers on crater depth, heat of ablation and collateral damage. The Q-switched Tm(3+)-doped silica fibre laser effectively ablates tissue with little secondary damage.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Separation of carrier-free ytterbium and thulium produced in 80 MeV 12C6+ irradiated gadolinium foil target by liquid-liquid extraction with HDEHP.

Heavy ion activation of natural gadolinium foil with 80 MeV 12C6+ results in the formation of carrier-free ytterbium isotopes, 165,166,167Yb and their corresponding decay products, 165,166,167Tm, in the matrix. Carrier-free ytterbium and thulium isotopes have been separated quantitatively from the bulk target matrix gadolinium by employing di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) as a liquid cation exchanger.

Aluminum↗

PubMed2001

Scalp topography of ultralate (C-fibres) evoked potentials following thulium YAG laser stimuli to tiny skin surface areas in humans.

AIM: To investigate (1) the scalp topography of ultralate laser evoked potentials (LEPs) related to C-fibre activation, which can directly be obtained by thulium YAG (Tm YAG) laser stimulation of tiny skin surface areas (about 0.23 mm(2)) and (2) the influence of the performance of a motor task on ultralate LEPs. METHODS: Laser stimuli were applied to the dorsum of the left hand. LEPs were recorded with 58 scalp electrodes from 9 healthy subjects in two different conditions, with and without a reaction time (RT) task (press a button upon detection). RESULTS: On high resolution electroenchephalogram recordings, ultralate LEPs were characterized by a broad positive component (peak latency: 1133+/-91 ms) with maximum amplitude about the vertex. Moreover, the performance of a RT task had no influence on latency, amplitude and topographical patterns of two maps chosen at the positive peak latency in ultralate LEPs. Nevertheless, a negative inflexion (latency 1300 ms) appeared after the positive component in the task condition possibly reflecting movement-related potentials. CONCLUSION: Tm YAG laser stimulation of tiny skin surface areas allows recording the dynamic scalp topography of ultralate (C-fibres) LEPs, with or without the performance of a RT task.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Thulium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrakis(methylene phosphonate) as a 23Na shift reagent for the in vivo rat liver.

The use of thulium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrakis(methylene phosphonate (TmDOTP5-) as an in vivo 23Na NMR shift reagent for rat liver was evaluated by collecting interleaved 23Na and 31P spectra. Infusion of 80 mM TmDOTP5- without added Ca2+ produced baseline-resolved peaks from intra- and extracellular sodium without producing any changes in phosphate metabolite resonances or intracellular pH. Several key physiological parameters measured in parallel groups of animals confirmed that liver physiology is largely unaffected by this shift reagent. A direct comparison of TmDOTP5- versus DyTTHA3- showed that after infusion of 5-8 times more DyTTHA3-, the extracellular sodium peak shifted by the same amount as with TmDOTP5-, but the two 23Na resonances were very broad and not resolved. The baseline-resolved peaks with TmDOTP5- allowed us to measure the in vivo T1 and T2 relaxation characteristics of intra- and extracellular Na+. The measured T1, T2s, and T2f values and the relative contributions from the slow and fast T2 components for intracellular Na+ in liver did not differ significantly from the values reported for perfused frog heart. The T1 and T2 relaxation curves of the extracellular Na+ resonances fit a monoexponential function. Analysis of the relative contribution of the fast- and slow-relaxing T2 components from intracellular Na+ resulted in a calculated visibility factor of 69 +/- 4% and the intracellular Na+ concentration calculated from the NMR peak intensity ratio, the measured visibility factor, and literature values of intra- and extracellular volume was 19 mM. These results indicate that TmDOTP5- promises to be quite useful as an in vivo shift reagent for liver and other organs.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Non-invasive magnetic resonance thermometry using thulium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (TmDOTA(-)).

Non-invasive thermometry is pivotal to the future advances of regional hyperthermia as a cancer treatment modality. Current magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry methods suffer from poor thermal resolution due to relatively weak dependence of chemical shift of the (1)H water signal on temperature. This study evaluated the feasibility of using thulium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (TmDOTA(-)) for MR thermometry. TmDOTA(-) is non-toxic and the gadolinium complex of DOTA(4-) is widely used as a MR contrast agent. The results demonstrate that the temperature dependence of the TmDOTA(-) proton shifts are about two orders of magnitudes higher than the water proton and, thus, provide excellent accuracy and resolution. In addition, TmDOTA(-) proton shifts are insensitive to the paramagnetic complex concentration, pH, Ca(2+) or presence of plasma macromolecules and ions. Because hyperthermia is known to produce changes in tissue pH and other physiological parameters, these properties of TmDOTA(-) greatly simplify the procedures for using the lanthanide complex for MR thermometry. Application of TmDOTA(-) for measurement of temperature in a subcutaneously implanted human melanoma xenograft is demonstrated. Finally, the feasibility of imaging one of the (1)H resonances of the lanthanide complex is demonstrated in phantom experiments. Overall, TmDOTA(-) appears to be a promising probe for MR thermometry in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

The effects of lanthanum and thulium on the mechanical responses of rat vas deferens.

1. The contractile responses of rat vas deferens to noradrenaline and K+ are composed of phasic and tonic components both of which are dependent upon the concentration of extracellular Ca2+. 2. Lanthanum, La3+, and thulium ions, Tm3+, inhibited the noradrenaline and K+ induced responses, complete inhibition being obtained at approximately 10(-3) M-Ln3+. 3. La3+ and Tm3+ were equally effective in inhibiting noradrenaline and K+ responses. The phasic and tonic components of the noradrenaline response were equally sensitive to lanthanide cations, Ln3+, but the phasic component of the K+ response was more sensitive than the tonic component. 4. 170Tm binding did not show any saturable component over the concentration range in which inhibition of the pharmacological response was obtained. 5. It is suggested that the actions of Ln3+ in the rat vas deferens are mediated through some kind of membrane stabilization rather than via a specific Ca2+ binding site concerned with excitation-contraction coupling, the mechanism previously postulated for the Ln3+ action in guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Thulium binding to the pancreatic beta-cell membrane.

Radioactive thulium (171Tm) was used to probe cation-binding sites in the plasma membrane of beta-cell-rich pancreatic islets microdissected from noninbred ob/ob mice. Temporal studies revealed that 171Tm uptake was rapid, reaching isotopic equilibrium by 60 min. Analysis of the concentration dependence of 171Tm uptake revealed at least two components. At low 171Tm concentrations (0.003--0.18 micrometer), there was a saturable low capacity component, capable of accommodating less than 20 mumol/kg dry weight. At higher 171Tm concentrations (1.0--500 micrometers), a nonsaturable high capacity component capable of binding more than 100 mmol/kg dry weight was observed. 171Tm taken up at 0.18 micrometer exhibited a high degree of mobility. The uptake of 171Tm at this concentration was increased by incubation with chlorpromazine at concentrations known to increase the permeability of the beta-cell plasma membrane. At 0.18 micrometer, exposure to 20 mM D-glucose reduced 171Tm uptake compared with that in islets incubated in the absence of sugar or in the presence of sugars which lack stimulatory effects on insulin release. Such an effect was not observed at 125 micrometers, and none of the sugars influenced the 171Tm uptake of the exocrine pancreas. These data raise the possibility that cation-binding sites in the beta-cell plasma membrane are of physiological significance in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Thulium-holmium-chromium-doped YAG laser sclerostomy ab externo in uncontrollable glaucoma].

Laser sclerostomy ab externo, using thulium-holmium-chromium-doped YAG laser was performed in 40 eyes with refractory glaucoma. Preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) ranged from 21 to 50 mmHg (mean +/- SD: 33 +/- 18.6) with maximum tolerable medications. In all cases, a full-thickness sclerostomy was performed and subsequently a filtering bleb was formed. Total energy levels to produce the sclerostomy ranged from 0.2 J to 12.9 J (3.9 +/- 2.4). Follow-up periods varied from 3 to 18 (9 +/- 4) months. IOP control rate calculated by a life-table method at 6 and 12 months after surgery was 54% and 46%, respectively. IOP for successful eyes ranged from 0 to 18 mmHg (12.3 +/- 2.4). As complications, corneal fold formation (all eyes), choroidal detachment (12 eyes), hyphema (10 eyes), and iris incarceration in the sclerostomy site (4 eyes) were found. Astigmatism caused by corneal fold formation disappeared spontaneously within 3 months. Iris incarceration causing IOP elevation was repaired by Nd-YAG laser treatment and IOP control was obtained in 2 of 4 eyes. No other complications were observed.

Chromium↗

PubMed2003

Structure and reactivity of homoleptic samarium(II) and thulium(II) phospholyl complexes.

Potassium 2,5-di-tert-butyl-3,4-dimethylphospholide K(dtp) (9) was synthesised in 45 % yield from commercially available starting materials by using zirconacyclopentadiene chemistry. Reaction of the K salt of this bulky anion and of the previously described potassium 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-dimethylphospholide K(dsp) (8) with SmI(2) in diethyl ether afforded the homoleptic samarium(II) complexes 7 and 6, respectively, whose solid-state structures, [[Sm(dtp)(2)](2)] (7 a) and [[Sm(dsp)(2)](2)] (6 a), are dimeric owing to coordination of the phosphorus lone pairs to samarium, as shown by X-ray crystallography. Reaction of 8 with TmI(2) in diethyl ether afforded [Tm(dsp)(2)(Et(2)O)], which could not be desolvated without decomposition. In contrast, the coordinated ether group of the solvate [Tm(dtp)(2)(Et(2)O)], obtained from 9 and TmI(2), could easily be removed by evaporation of the solvent and extraction with pentane at room temperature, and the monomer [Tm(dtp)(2)] (5) could be isolated and was characterised by X-ray crystallography. Presumably, steric crowding in 5 is too high for dimerisation to occur. Compound 5, the first Tm(II) homoleptic sandwich complex, is remarkably stable at room temperature in solution and did not noticeably react with nitrogen, in sharp contrast with other thulium(II) species. As expected, 5, 6 and 7 all reacted with azobenzene to give the trivalent complexes [Tm(dtp)(2)(N(2)Ph(2))] (13), [Sm(dsp)(2)(N(2)Ph(2))], (14) and [Sm(dtp)(2)(N(2)Ph(2))] (15), respectively; 13 and 14 were characterised by X-ray crystallography. Complex 5 immediately reacted with triphenylphosphane sulfide at room temperature to give [[Tm(dtp)(2)](2)(mu-S)] (16), which was characterised by X-ray crystallography, whereas samarium(II) complexes 6 and 7 did not noticeably react with Ph(3)PS over 24 h under the same conditions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Welding of gallbladder tissue with a pulsed 2.15 microns thulium-holmium-chromium:YAG laser.

Percutaneous endoscopic approaches to cholelithiasis would be facilitated by methods for welding gallbladder tissues. We evaluated the bursting pressure and histologic appearance of canine gallbladder tissue welded with a thulium-holmium-chromium:YAG (THC:YAG) laser producing a 2.15 microns pulsed output. The tissue absorption characteristics at this wavelength as well as the pulsed nature of the output permit tissue welding with limited collateral thermal damage. The THC:YAG is compatible with a flexible fiberoptic delivery system. Bursting strengths of the welded junctions averaged 42 mm Hg, which is above physiologically encountered pressures. Histologic sections of the bonded tissues revealed tissue fusion and limited thermal injury to the surrounding tissue. We feel that THC:YAG laser welding may be a useful technique in the clinical development of percutaneous endoscopic biliary surgery.

Animals↗