LASER APPLICATIONS TO MEDICINE AND Prof. Dr. Moustafa. M. Mohamed Vice Dean Faculty of Allied Medical Science Pharos University Alexandria Dr. Yasser khedr Department of Medical Biophysics Pharos University

Types of lasers According to the active material: solid-state, liquid, gas, excimer and semiconductor lasers. According to the wavelength: Infra-red (IR), Visible, Ultra-violet (UV) or X-ray Lasers.

Solid-state lasers have lasing material distributed in a solid matrix (such as ruby or Nd- YAG). Flash lamps are the most common power source. The Nd-YAG laser emits infrared light at nm. Semiconductor lasers, sometimes called diode lasers, are p-n junctions. Current is the pump source. Applications: laser printers or CD players. Types of lasers

Dye lasers use complex organic dyes. Gas lasers are pumped by current. Helium-Neon (He-Ne) lasers in the visible and IR. Argon lasers in the visible and UV. CO2 lasers emit light in the far-infrared (10.6 mm), and are used for cutting hard materials. Types of lasers

Excimer lasers: (from the terms excited and dimers) use reactive gases, such as chlorine and fluorine, mixed with inert gases such as argon, krypton, or xenon. When electrically stimulated, a pseudo molecule (dimer) is produced. Excimers laser in the UV.

Solid-state Laser Example: Ruby Laser Operation wavelength: nm (IR) 3 level system: absorbs green/blue Gain Medium: crystal of aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) with small part of atoms of aluminum is replaced with Cr 3+ ions. Pump source: flash lamp The ends of ruby rod serve as laser mirrors.

Ruby Laser

How Ruby laser works? 1. High-voltage electricity causes the quartz flash tube to emit an intense burst of light, exciting some of Cr3+ in the ruby crystal to higher energy levels.

2. At a specific energy level, some Cr 3+ emit photons. At first the photons are emitted in all directions. Photons from one Cr 3+ stimulate emission of photons from other Cr 3+ and the light intensity is rapidly amplified. How Ruby laser works?

3. Mirrors at each end reflect the photons back and forth, continuing this process of stimulated emission and amplification How Ruby laser works?

4. The photons leave through the partially silvered mirror at one end. This is laser light. How Ruby laser works?

High and Low Level Lasers High Level Lasers –Surgical Lasers –Hard Lasers –Thermal –Energy ( ) mW

Low Level Lasers –Medical Lasers –Soft Lasers –Subthermal –Energy (1-500) mW –Therapeutic (Cold) lasers produce maximum output of 90 mW or less ( ) nm light

Parameters Laser –Wavelength –Output power – Average power – Intensity –Dosage

Wavelength Nanometers (nm) Longer wavelength (lower frequency) = greater penetration Not fully determined Wavelength is affected by power

Power Output Power –Watts or milliwatts (W or mW) –Important for laser safety Intensity Power Density (intensity) –W or mW/ cm2 – Takes into consideration – actual beam diameter – Beam diameter determines power density

Average Power Knowing average power is important in determining dosage with pulsed laser If laser is continuous – average power = peak output power If laser is pulsed, then average power is equal to peak output power X duty cycle.

Energy Density Dosage (D): Amount of energy applied per unit area Measured in Joules/square cm (J/cm 2 ) – Joule – unit of energy – 1 Joule = 1 W/sec Dosage is dependent on: –Output of laser in mW. – Time of exposure in seconds. – Beam surface area of laser in cm 2

Laser Treatment & Diagnostics Treatment cover everything from the ablation of tissue using high power lasers to photochemical reaction obtained with a weak laser. Diagnostics cover the recording of fluorescence after excitation at a suitable wavelength and measuring optical parameters.

Laser Tissue Interaction:

What Does Laser Do? Laser light waves penetrate the skin with no heating effect, no damage to skin & no sideeffects. Laser light directs biostimulative light energy to the body’s cells which convert into chemical energy to promote natural healing & pain relief. Stimulation of wound healing – Promotes faster wound healing/clotformation –Helps generate new & healthy cells & tissue

Increase collagen production –Develops collagen & muscle tissue Increase macrophage activity – Stimulates immune system Alter nerve conduction velocity – Stimulates nerve function What Does Laser Do?

Improved blood circulation & vasodilation – Increases blood supply Increases ATP production Analgesic effect – Relieves acute/chronic pain Anti-inflammatory & anti-edematous effects – Reduces inflammation What Does Laser Do?

Tissue & Cellular Response Magnitude of tissue’s reaction are based on physical characteristics of: –Output wavelength/frequency –Density of power –Duration of treatment – Vascularity of target tissues

Direct and indirect laser effects Direct effect – occurs from absorption of photons Indirect effect – produced by chemical events caused by interaction of photons emitted from laser and the tissues

LASER Regulation Lasers are classified according to the hazard; * Class 1 and 1M (magnifier) lasers are considered safe * Class 2 and 2M (magnifier) - emit visible light at higher levels than Class 1, - eye protection is provided - can be hazardous if the beam is viewed directly with optical instruments;

* Class 3R (Restricted) Laser - produce visible and invisible light that are hazardous under direct viewing conditions; * Class 3B lasers - produce visible or invisible light that is hazardous under direct viewing conditions - they are powerful enough to cause eye damage in a time shorter - Laser products with power output near the upper range of Class 3B may also cause skin burns;

* Class 4 lasers - high power devices capable of causing both eye and skin burns, - heir diffuse reflections may also be hazardous - the beam may constitute a fire hazard;