title: Characteristics of calculus fragmentation with Er:YAG laser light emitted by an infrared hollow optical fiber with various sealing caps.
abstract: We have experimentally quantified calculus fragmentation by Er:YAG laser light. Er:YAG laser light was delivered to an underwater target through a sealed hollow optical fiber. Fragmentation efficiency was obtained for an alumina ball used as a calculus model when sealing caps with various focusing effects were used. Three types of human calculus were analyzed, and their absorption properties at the wavelength of Er:YAG laser light were obtained. The relationships among the absorption properties, calculus constituents, and fragmentation efficiency are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Sendai National College of Technology, 4-16-1 Ayashi-chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai 989-3128, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.forename: Yi-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Mitsunobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyagi
authors.forename: Seichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arai
mesh_terms: D002137:Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000628:therapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D014159:Transducers; D016896:Treatment Outcome