Air Force selling mini diode devices

17 Jun 2002

The US Air Force is negotiating with several medical-equipment manufacturers to further develop two portable diode-laser systems designed by the Air Force for use on the battlefield. The Medpac--a 5-lb, 10-W, self-contained system with fiberoptic delivery--measures 7 x 3 x 2.5 in. and fits into a pack that can be carried on a belt. It offers 1 kW/cm2 of 808-nm power at the tip and is intended for wound stabilization (photocoagulation). The Medpen--a 5-W, hand-held, battery-operated device--operates at 980 nm and is 12 in. long. It can be used for contact cutting and coagulation and free-beam welding and sterilization.