Publications [#254678] of Myron L. Wolbarsht

Journal Articles

1. Wolbarsht, ML (1985). LASER SURGERY: ALTERNATIVES TO CO//2 ABLATION.. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 540, 398-404.
   (last updated on 2018/09/26)

   Abstract:
   Laser surgery may be improved by modifications based on similar processes in industrial applications. A major problem in materials processing is minimizing heat diffusion from the site of laser exposure. The same problem exists in the surgery of tissue with a CO//2 laser. A model is described which indicates that radiation at 2. 9 mu m (HF laser) in short duration pulses, shorter than the thermal relaxation time (1. 7 mu s) of its 2 mu m thick absorption depth in water, will minimize thermal diffusion, and also take advantage of the large amount of heat removed by the phase change of water into steam. This model suggests that, for deep cuts, many short pulses are preferable to a single long duration exposure and that more delicate surgery may be possible with such short pulse, shallow absorption depth types of energy delivery.