The laser nerve stimulation technique is an emerging stimulation method that utilizes some of the advantages of laser-tissue interaction. However, a narrow temperature range (41 °C – 48 °C) for successful, reliable, and safe laser nerve stimulation remains challenging for the method. This preliminary study investigates the depth-resolved thermal measurement performance of the system, comprising ⪆22 MHz Stretched-Pulse Mode-Locked (SPML) laser and a 1505 nm laser for laser nerve stimulation. Providing the OCT signal in M mode, the system successfully measured the change in fringe amplitude as a function of temperature increases in a phantom model.
In our laboratory, we are currently developing laser nerve stimulation using 1500 nm laser radiation, specifically as a potential alternative to electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. The newly emerging stimulation method may have significant advantages over conventional electrical nerve stimulation for scientific studies and clinical applications: (1) non-contact delivery of external stimulus signals at mm scaled distance in air, (2) enhanced spatial selectivity, and (3) electrical artifact-free measurements. However, one of the issues limiting these advantages is that the tissue temperature is trapped in a narrow window (41°C – 48°C) for a successful and safe laser nerve stimulation. Another limitation is that only instantaneous surface temperature measurement is possible. This report presents to design a scope head that delivers a 1290 nm OCT beam for immediate backscatter coefficient feedback, a 1500 nm laser beam for laser nerve stimulation, and provides real-time imaging. The preliminary test of the scope head is described as fictitious.
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