Medical free-electron laser: fact or fiction?

James P. Bell; Donald R. Ponikvar

doi:10.1117/12.180721

28 July 1994 Medical free-electron laser: fact or fiction?

James P. Bell, Donald R. Ponikvar

Proceedings Volume 2131, Biomedical Fiber Optic Instrumentation; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.180721
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The free electron laser (FEL) has long been proposed as a flexible tool for a variety of medical applications, and yet the FEL has not seen widespread acceptance in the medical community. The issues have been the laser's size, cost, and complexity. Unfortunately, research on applications of FELs has outpaced the device development efforts. This paper describes the characteristics of the FEL, as they have been demonstrated in the U.S. Army's FEL technology development program, and identifies specific medical applications where demonstrated performance levels would suffice. This includes new photodynamic therapies for cancer and HIV treatment, orthopedic applications, tissue welding applications, and multiwavelength surgical techniques. A new tunable kilowatt class FEL device is described, which utilizes existing hardware from the U.S. Army program. An assessment of the future potential, based on realistic technology scaling is provided.

Citation Download Citation

James P. Bell and Donald R. Ponikvar "Medical free-electron laser: fact or fiction?", Proc. SPIE 2131, Biomedical Fiber Optic Instrumentation, (28 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.180721

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