Entwicklung eines Meßplatzes zur Bestimmung des Abstrahlverhaltens von Streulichtapplikatoren für interstitielle Laseranwendungen. Development of a Measuring Set-up to Determine the Light Distribution of Scattering Dome Applicators for Interstitial Laser Treatment

In the medical setting, scattering dome applicators are used in various therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, e.g. laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy. The present study reports on the development of an automatic measuring system for determining the light distribution along the active end of scattering dome applicators. Using a stepper motor, the applicator is gradually moved into an integrating sphere, in which the light intensity is measured with a photodetector. It was shown the light distribution is determined mainly by the conditions under which the laser beam is coupled to the transmission fiber. The results made it possible to optimize the production of applicators, and showed that the set-up was suitable for quality control use.