Material processing with femtosecond laser pulses for medical applications

Abstract

Medical implants require functional surfaces in order to ensure biological compatibility. Micrometer-sized surface struc-tures are needed in particular for a successful adaptation on a cellular basis. Pulsed laser light sources with sub-ps pulse durations are promising tools exceeding the precision in material processing of nowadays mechanical methods. Our three-axis-scanner allows arbitrary focus positioning on the sample for material processing. Intense ultrashort near infra-red laser pulses with adjustable pulse envelopes and variable focusing conditions are used for the material ablation. Moreover, process parameters like pulse energy, pulse repetition rate and focusing conditions are adjusted to adapt the laser parameters to the specific requirements regarding geometry and materials in use. Prototype drug depots have been machined by laser surface structuring. © 2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston.