Comparison of surface micro-structured and plasmonic all-fiber delivery probes for laser-induced thermotherapy of tumor cells

The paper compares two different approaches to design an innovative probe with optimized heated area for laser ablation of solid tumors: micro-patterning of the fiber delivery tip, and exploitation of the dissipation of plasmonic waves at the metal-dielectric interface. Both probes integrate a fiber Bragg grating for real- time monitoring of the obtained temperature increase to provide feedback to surgeons in practical applications. Experimental characterizations carried out using liver phantoms and ex-vivo porcine livers have demonstrated that both approaches can be used for the devised application, although further optimizations and tests are still necessary before clinical assessment.