Transmission of a Powerful Argon Laser beam Through a Fiberoptic Flexible Gastroscope for Operative Gastroscopy

For the first time it was possible to transmit several watts of argon laser power through the biopsy channel of a conventional fiberoptic flexible gastroscope, using a special quartz fiber. The power density at the beam waist, several centimeters distant from the end tip of the gastroscope seems sufficiently high for potential applications in the field of operative gastroscopy. Zusammenfassung Es war erstmals möglich, mehrere Watt eines Argon-Laserstrahls durch den Biopsiekanal eines flexiblen fiberoptischen Gastroskops durchzuleiten. Die Leistungsdichte in der Strahlkaustik, einige Zentimeter vom Endstück des Gastroskops entfernt, erscheint ausreichend für potentielle Anwendungen in der operativen Gastroskopie. Key-Words Argon laser - operative gastroscopy - fibergastroscope