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Characterization of tissue ablation with a continuous wave holmium laser
Author(s) -
Domankevitz Yacov,
McMillan Kathleen,
Nishioka Norman S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1996)19:1<97::aid-lsm11>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - ablation , holmium , laser , biomedical engineering , materials science , irradiation , saline , laser ablation , surgery , optics , medicine , physics , nuclear physics , endocrinology
Background and Objective The pulsed holmium laser is a promising tool for tissue ablation but possesses some limitations. For example, it is capable of producing significant mechanical damage in certain tissues in the form of fissures and fractures. Because longer pulse durations should reduce mechanical damage, this study examined the tissue effects produced by a prototype continuous wave holmium laser. Study Design/Materials and Methods A prototype liquid nitrogen cooled holmium operating at 2.12 μm was used. The heat of ablation and ablation threshold were determined using a mass loss technique. Fresh pig skin was irradiated in air or under saline, and prepared for histologic analysis. Hemostasis was qualitatively assessed in vivo during incisions made in the skin, liver, and small intestine. Results Threshold radiant exposure and heat of ablation were calculated from the mass loss measurements to be 191 J/cm 2 with a 95% confidence interval of −80–440 J/cm 2 . Residual thermal damage in skin ranged from 390 to 690 μm in saline and from 390 to 490 μm in air. Excellent hemostasis was achieved in all incisions. Conclusion Using appropriate irradiation parameters, the continuous wave holmium laser produces tissue effects suitable for a general use surgical instrument. In addition, the laser source could become compact and inexpensive when diode‐pumped and direct diode devices become available. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.