Total Vein Systems, a Houston based medical supply company, is has released two new laser fiber designs: the Covered-Tip 600 and the Orb-Tip 600.  

“Recently there has been a lot of interest in covered-tip fibers from physicians,” David Centanni, general manager, said. “In an effort to meet our customers’ wants, we have expanded our product line to include Covered-Tip Laser Fibers.”

The new Covered-Tip features a glass weld at the tip of a 600-micron laser fiber that features an atraumatic design with an effective fiber diameter of 1200 microns at the distal end. The Covered-Tip Fiber is a high quality silica-silica fiber with low-water content and a Nylon coating.

The power density is comparable to a bare tip 600 micron fiber.

“Total Vein Systems strives to be on the innovative curve of the industry so we have expanded our product line to include the new Orb-Tip fibers as well,” Centanni said. The Orb-Tip Fiber is comprised of a 600-micron core with a flexible outer Teflon coating that tapers to an 800 micron, smooth spherical-ball tip. The spherical-ball tip minimizes the chance of perforations or mechanical dissection of the vessels. In addition, the spherical ball increases the light collection angle at the fiber tip.

The introduction of these two laser fiber designs comes on the heels of the release of Total Vein’s ThermaShield High Performance Laser Fibers.The ThermaShield fibers feature a protective layer of silica cladding to help maintain energy within the silica core, reducing carbonization and “burn back” into the outer coating of the laser fiber.

“We have received numerous phone calls from physicians requesting a more durable and robust fiber to reduce the carbonization and burn back that occurs during procedures,” Centanni said.

Ron Bowman, director of quality and regulatory of Optical Integrity Inc., explained the ThermaShield laser fibers.

“There are two types of medical laser fibers typically used: hard clad silica Fluropolymer (HCS) and silica clad silica,” he said.

“HCS fibers commonly have three layers, whereas Silica clad fibers have four layers; when a fiber tip contacts tissue with laser radiation, dramatic differences can be found between the two fiber types.”

Bowman said that when HCS fibers contact tissue or blood, the tissue can quickly attach to the exposed core causing burn back of the cladding.

“Tissue adhering to the exposed core absorbs radiation, thereby reducing the forward power density at the fiber tip. The tissue will eventually carbonize creating stress on the exposed core.  This stress can weaken the fiber such that any lateral movement may easily cause the tip to break.”

He said that if the tip breaks near flush with the buffer, tissue debris coupled with the coating and buffer creates overheating of the silica core. If the silica reaches 1,000° C laser radiation will be self-absorbed and raise the temperature further to 5,000° C or greater causing the fiber to erode like a fuse.

“Because of the extra layer on the ThermaShield fibers, tissue is prevented from attaching to the core averting carbonization and burn back,” Bowman said.

Centanni said that many physicians believe that burn back may be one of the causes of perforations during surgery.  

“The enhanced reliability and durability of the ThermaShield™ Fibers may contribute to a more comfortable procedure,” Centanni said. “Total Vein is proud to be the leader in the industry by offering the largest variety of surgical laser fibers. We currently offer more than 30 different fiber designs used in a variety of surgical applications (soon to include liposuction) in various specialties including, but not limited to, gynecology, ENT, urology and plastic surgery.”

For more information, call 888 868-8346.