Test Methods for Laser-induced Damage Threshold of Medical Laser Delivery and Applications Systems (Conference Presentation)

Abstract

Fire in an operating room is the most dangerous situation for patient and staff. Besides electrosurgical devices and endoscopic light sources, even surgical lasers can be ignition sources for drapes, gowns and tracheal tubes. This risk was identified very early and several ISO standards for laser proof materials have been published. The medical beam delivery system itself, however, was out of focus. Due to the increasing market on the one hand and necessity for cost reduction in health care on the other hand fibres have come into the market with a risk of self-ignition of the core or cladding material. Furthermore with reinvention of fibre-applicator-systems for contact application or integrated diffusor systems they have an increased risk for self-ignition due to high absorption. So it is important to perform quality requirements for companies suppliers and hospitals. At this time there is no existing work or standard to this topic. This project elaborates reproducible test parameters for medical beam delivery systems. Because the problem of ignition and damage due to laser transmission is not limited only to medical devices but even e.g. in communication systems and fiber laser system the work was started in close cooperation with WG1 SC9 to avoid any duplication. The presented draft follows the structure, terminology and test procedure the existing standards for surgical drapes ISO11810 and Endotracheal tubes ISO11990 to avoid inconsistency in these standards