SINGLE PASS CLEAVING OF ULTRAFAST LASER MODIFIED C-SHAPED GLASS EDGES

We report on single-pass laser cleaving of transparent materials with C-shaped edges that exhibit 45-deg tangential angles to the surface. A holographic 3D beam splitter distributes several foci along the desired edge contours, including C-shaped edges. Single-pass, full thickness laser modifications are achieved requiring single-side access to the workpiece only without inclining the optical head. After having induced laser modifications with feed rates in the order of 100 mm/s actual separation is performed using a selective etching strategy.

Kann Google Glass® den Arbeitsablauf peripherer endovaskulärer Interventionen verbessern? : eine Pilotstudie mit Google Glass® im Rahmen einer Virtual Reality Simulation

Background. The intention of this study was to evaluate whether data transmission during peripheral endovascular interventions can be realized by a voice controlled optical head mounted display and to see whether it improves the overall procedural performance. Methods. We used the Google Glass® Explorer Edition in conjunction with a custom Glass App, making preexisting imaging files accessible by voice commands. 40 medical students in their 5th year of medical school were randomized into two groups. Each subject got the task to perform a PTA of the superficial femoral artery on a high- fidelity-VR-simulator (ANGIO-Mentor®, 3D Systems). While Group A obtained typical information from an additional monitor, Group B used Google Glass® to bring the particular information to their attention by a special voice command. The objective evaluation was carried out by using a standardized evaluation protocol including the performance in dichotomous nominal scale and the required time for each task. At the end of the simulation each participant had to fill in a questionnaire using a typical 5-level Likert scaling for subjective evalution. Results. A maximum score of 10 points was achievable. The median found in Group A and Group B was at 9 points with non-significant deviations (p = 0,91). The individual procedure time was between 12 and 14 minutes. Group B using Google Glass® was significantly slower by 1:07 minutes (p = 0,01) on average mostly due to technical difficulties with the prototype App. Focusing on the transfer of simple information our study proved Google Glass® to be faster or at least equivalent compared to a conventional setting of monitors. In this context 92.5% considered the digitization of daily clinical practice as useful. 17 of 20 participants (85%) perceived the handling of Google Glass® as easy to very easy. All participants shared the opinion that augmented reality could be useful during peripheral interventions in the cathlab. Conclusions. Google Glass® was only marginally inferior to conventional catheter laboratory monitoring with regard to procedural time and did not impede workflow during a simulated PTA of the superficial femoral artery. Moreover, some tasks were performed significantly faster by using Google Glass®. Our study revealed technical difficulties with the accuracy of voice recognition and quality of imaging on Google Glass®. We expect that after overcoming those technical problems, cathlab workflow during endovascular interventions could be improved by using an optical head mounted display.