On the customization of the irradiation patterns of probes for laser tumor ablation with integrated temperature sensing capabilities

The paper reports some results on the customization of the irradiation pattern of an all-fiber applicator for laser induced thermal therapies of solid tumors. The probe exploits a double cladding fiber structure to simultaneously guide the high power beam for the ablation and the signals for the interrogation of embedded Bragg gratings that add temperature sensing capabilities. The probe was characterized using phantoms so as to mimic real situations while providing a repeatable environment for comparing the different solutions in terms of irradiation pattern shapes and induced temperature profiles.