Premium
Radiometric surface temperature measurements during dye‐assisted laser skin closure: In vitro and in vivo results
Author(s) -
Fried Nathaniel M.,
Choi Bernard,
Welch Ashley J.,
Walsh Joseph T.
Publication year - 1999
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(1999)25:4<291::aid-lsm4>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - in vivo , laser , in vitro , radiometric dating , skin temperature , materials science , chemistry , biomedical engineering , optics , medicine , remote sensing , biology , geology , biochemistry , physics , microbiology and biotechnology
Background and Objective A thermal camera was used to measure surface temperatures during laser skin welding to provide feedback for optimization of the laser parameters. Study Design/Materials and Methods Two‐centimeter‐long, full‐thickness incisions were made in guinea pig skin in vitro and in vivo. India ink was applied to the incision edges, which were then mechanically apposed. Continuous‐wave, 1.06‐μm Nd:YAG laser radiation was scanned over the incisions, producing an effective pulse duration of ∼100 msec. Cooling durations between scans of 1.6, 4.0, and 8.0 sec were studied in vitro. A 5‐mm‐diameter laser spot was used with the power kept constant at 10 W. Thermal images were obtained at 30 frames per second with a thermal camera detecting 3–5 μm radiation. Surface temperatures were recorded at 0, 1, and 6 mm from the center line of the incision. Results/Conclusions Cooling durations of 1.6 and 4.0 seconds in vitro resulted in temperatures at the weld site that remained above ∼65°C for prolonged periods of time. Cooling durations of 8.0 seconds were sufficient both in vitro and in vivo to prevent a significant rise in baseline temperatures at the weld site over time. Lasers Surg. Med. 25:291–303, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.