Long-range optical coherence tomography with extended depth-of-focus: a visual feedback system for smart laser osteotomy

This work presents a long-range and extended depth-of-focus optical coherence tomography (OCT) system using a Bessel-like beam (BLB) as a visual feedback system during laser osteotomy. We used a swept-source OCT system (lambda(c) = 1310 nm) with an imaging range of 26.2 mm in the air, integrated with a high energy microsecond Er:YAG laser operating at 2.94 pin. We demonstrated that the self-healing characteristics of the BLB could reduce the imaging artifacts that may arise during real-time monitoring of laser ablation. Furthermore, the feasibility of using long-range OCT to monitor a deep laser-induced incision is demonstrated. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

The study presented a long-range and extended depth-of-focus OCT system using a BLB as a visual feedback system during laser osteotomy. It demonstrated the self-healing characteristics of BLB can reduce imaging artifacts during real-time monitoring of laser ablation, and showed the feasibility of using long-range OCT to monitor deep laser-induced incisions.