Lasers for Medical Applications: Diagnostics, Therapy and Surgery (Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials Book 37)

Lasers can alter the surface composition and properties of materials in a highly controllable way, which makes them efficient and cost-effective tools for surface engineering. This book provides an overview of the different techniques, the laser-material interactions and the advantages and disadvantages for different applications. Part one looks at laser heat treatment, part two covers laser additive manufacturing such as laser-enhanced electroplating, and part three discusses laser micromachining, structuring and surface modification. Chemical and biological applications of laser surface engineering are explored in part four, including ways to improve the surface corrosion properties of metals. * Provides an overview of thermal surface treatments using lasers, including the treatment of steels, light metal alloys, polycrystalline silicon and technical ceramics * Addresses the development of new metallic materials, innovations in laser cladding and direct metal deposition, and the fabrication of tuneable micro- and nano-scale surface structures * Chapters also cover laser structuring, surface modification, and the chemical and biological applications of laser surface engineering Content: Cover; Lasers for medical applications : Diagnostics, therapy and surgery; Copyright; Contents; Contributor contact details; Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials; Preface; 1 Introduction: the history of lasers in medicine; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Interaction of laser radiation with tissue: main contributing factors; 1.3 Laser radiation; 1.4 Interacting tissue; 1.5 Mutual interaction processes; 1.6 Primary factors; 1.7 Secondary factors; 1.8 Conclusion; 1.9 Notes; 1.10 References; Part I Laser- tissue interaction; 2 Laser characteristics. 2.1 Introduction: principle of the laser2.2 Fundamentals of lasers; 2.3 Laser radiation characteristics; 2.4 Conclusion; 2.5 Acknowledgment; 2.6 Notes; 2.7 References; 3 The response of tissue to laser light; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Biological tissue composition, morphology and optical properties; 3.3 Light penetration and reflectance; 3.4 Laser medicine domains and photobiological bands with spectral regions of optical hazards to human eyes and skin tissues; 3.5 Laser light scattering in tissues; 3.6 Speckle formations in biotissues. 3.7 Interference and polarization methods of tissue diagnostics3.8 Alterations of biotissue properties during hyperthermal and ablation reactions; 3.9 Photodynamic therapy (PDT); 3.10 Tissue optical clearing; 3.11 Conclusion; 3.12 Acknowledgments; 3.13 References; 4 Optical fibers for medical applications; 4.1 Introduction: glass and crystalline fibers; 4.2 Hollow optical fibers; 4.3 References; Part II Types of laser used in medicine; 5 Solid-state lasers for medical applications; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Solid-state laser active materials; 5.3 Solid-state laser systems. 5.4 Solid-state lasers for medical applications5.5 New solid-state laser development; 5.6 Conclusion; 5.7 Acknowledgment; 5.8 Bibliography; 6 Gas lasers for medical applications; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Atomic lasers; 6.3 Molecular lasers; 6.4 Conclusion; 6.5 References; 7 Liquid and solid-state tunable organic dye lasers for medical applications; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Liquid dye lasers; 7.3 Solid-state dye lasers; 7.4 Multiple-prism dispersive optics and pulse compression; 7.5 Future trends; 7.6 References; 8 Semiconductor lasers for medical applications; 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Physical principles of semiconductor lasers (SL) and diode lasers8.3 Materials for semiconductor lasers; 8.4 Methods of preparation; 8.5 Types of laser structures and resonators; 8.6 Electrical and optical parameters of semiconductor lasers; 8.7 Wavelength regions of operation for semiconductor lasers; 8.8 Fields of application for semiconductor lasers; 8.9 Medical applications of semiconductor lasers; 8.10 References; Part III Lasers in diagnostics; 9 Optical sources for optical coherence tomography (OCT); 9.1 Introduction. Abstract: Lasers have a wide and growing range of applications in medicine. This book summarises the wealth of research on the principles, technologies and application of lasers in diagnostics, therapy and surgery. It also focuses on the therapeutic applications of laser radiation in particular branches of medicine. Read more... Semiconductor lasers have important applications in numerous fields, including engineering, biology, chemistry and medicine. They form the backbone of the optical telecommunications infrastructure supporting the internet, and are used in information storage devices, bar-code scanners, laser printers and many other everyday products. Semiconductor lasers: Fundamentals and applications is a comprehensive review of this vital technology.

Part one introduces the fundamentals of semiconductor lasers, beginning with key principles before going on to discuss photonic crystal lasers, high power semiconductor lasers and laser beams, and the use of semiconductor lasers in ultrafast pulse generation. Part two then reviews applications of visible and near-infrared emitting lasers. Nonpolar and semipolar GaN-based lasers, advanced self-assembled InAs quantum dot lasers and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are all considered, in addition to semiconductor disk and hybrid silicon lasers. Finally, applications of mid- and far-infrared emitting lasers are the focus of part three. Topics covered include GaSb-based type I quantum well diode lasers, interband cascade and terahertz quantum cascade lasers, whispering gallery mode lasers and tunable mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Semiconductor lasers is a valuable guide for all those involved in the design, operation and application of these important lasers, including laser and telecommunications engineers, scientists working in biology and chemistry, medical practitioners, and academics working in this field.

• Provides a comprehensive review of semiconductor lasers and their applications in engineering, biology, chemistry and medicine
• Discusses photonic crystal lasers, high power semiconductor lasers and laser beams, and the use of semiconductor lasers in ultrafast pulse generation
• Reviews applications of visible and near-infrared emitting lasers and mid- and far-infrared emitting lasers

Semiconductor lasers have important applications in numerous fields, including engineering, biology, chemistry and medicine. They form the backbone of the optical telecommunications infrastructure supporting the internet, and are used in information storage devices, bar-code scanners, laser printers and many other everyday products. Semiconductor lasers: Fundamentals and applications is a comprehensive review of this vital technology. Part one introduces the fundamentals of semiconductor lasers, beginning with key principles before going on to discuss photonic crystal lasers, high power semiconductor lasers and laser beams, and the use of semiconductor lasers in ultrafast pulse generation. Part two then reviews applications of visible and near-infrared emitting lasers. Nonpolar and semipolar GaN-based lasers, advanced self-assembled InAs quantum dot lasers and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are all considered, in addition to semiconductor disk and hybrid silicon lasers. Finally, applications of mid- and far-infrared emitting lasers are the focus of part three. Topics covered include GaSb-based type I quantum well diode lasers, interband cascade and terahertz quantum cascade lasers, whispering gallery mode lasers and tunable mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy. With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Semiconductor lasers is a valuable guide for all those involved in the design, operation and application of these important lasers, including laser and telecommunications engineers, scientists working in biology and chemistry, medical practitioners, and academics working in this field. Provides a comprehensive review of semiconductor lasers and their applications in engineering, biology, chemistry and medicine Discusses photonic crystal lasers, high power semiconductor lasers and laser beams, and the use of semiconductor lasers in ultrafast pulse generation Reviews applications of visible and near-infrared emitting lasers and mid- and far-infrared emitting lasers Solid-state lasers which offer multiple desirable qualities, including enhanced reliability, robustness, efficiency and wavelength diversity, are absolutely indispensable for many applications. The Handbook of solid-state lasers reviews the key materials, processes and applications of solid-state lasers across a wide range of fields.

Part one begins by reviewing solid-state laser materials. Fluoride laser crystals, oxide laser ceramics, crystals and fluoride laser ceramics doped by rare earth and transition metal ions are discussed alongside neodymium, erbium and ytterbium laser glasses, and nonlinear crystals for solid-state lasers. Part two then goes on to explore solid-state laser systems and their applications, beginning with a discussion of the principles, powering and operation regimes for solid-state lasers. The use of neodymium-doped materials is considered, followed by system sizing issues with diode-pumped quasi-three level materials, erbium glass lasers, and microchip, fiber, Raman and cryogenic lasers. Laser mid-infrared systems, laser induced breakdown spectroscope and the clinical applications of surgical solid-state lasers are also explored. The use of solid-state lasers in defense programs is then reviewed, before the book concludes by presenting some environmental applications of solid-state lasers.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, the Handbook of solid-state lasers is an authoritative guide for all those involved in the design and application of this technology, including laser and materials scientists and engineers, medical and military professionals, environmental researchers, and academics working in this field.

• Reviews the materials used in solid-state lasers
• Explores the principles of solid-state laser systems and their applications
• Considers defence and environmental applications

Lasers have a wide and growing range of applications in medicine. Lasers for medical applications summarises the wealth of recent research on the principles, technologies and application of lasers in diagnostics, therapy and surgery.

Part one gives an overview of the use of lasers in medicine, key principles of lasers and radiation interactions with tissue. To understand the wide diversity and therefore the large possible choice of these devices for a specific diagnosis or treatment, the respective types of the laser (solid state, gas, dye, and semiconductor) are reviewed in part two. Part three describes diagnostic laser methods, for example optical coherence tomography, spectroscopy, optical biopsy, and time-resolved fluorescence polarization spectroscopy. Those methods help doctors to refine the scope of involvement of the particular body part or, for example, to specify the extent of a tumor. Part four concentrates on the therapeutic applications of laser radiation in particular branches of medicine, including ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, urology, gynecology, otorhinolaryngology (ORL), neurology, dentistry, orthopaedic surgery and cancer therapy, as well as laser coatings of implants. The final chapter includes the safety precautions with which the staff working with laser instruments must be familiar.

With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, this important book summarizes international achievements in the field of laser applications in medicine in the past 50 years. It provides a valuable contribution to laser medicine by outstanding experts in medicine and engineering.

• Describes the interaction of laser light with tissue
• Reviews every type of laser used in medicine: solid state, gas, dye and semiconductor
• Describes the use of lasers for diagnostics

Lasers have a wide and growing range of applications in medicine. Lasers for Medical Applications summarises the wealth of recent research on the principles, technologies and application of lasers in diagnostics, therapy and surgery. Part one gives an overview of the use of lasers in medicine, key principles of lasers and radiation interactions with tissue. To understand the wide diversity and therefore the large possible choice of these devices for a specific diagnosis or treatment, the respective types of the laser (solid state, gas, dye, and semiconductor) are reviewed in part two. Part three describes diagnostic laser methods, for example optical coherence tomography, spectroscopy, optical biopsy, and time-resolved fluorescence polarization spectroscopy. Those methods help doctors to refine the scope of involvement of the particular body part or, for example, to specify the extent of a tumor. Part four concentrates on the therapeutic applications of laser radiation in particular branches of medicine, including ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, urology, gynecology, otorhinolaryngology (ORL), neurology, dentistry, orthopaedic surgery and cancer therapy, as well as laser coatings of implants. The final chapter includes the safety precautions with which the staff working with laser instruments must be familiar. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, this important book summarizes international achievements in the field of laser applications in medicine in the past 50 years. It provides a valuable contribution to laser medicine by outstanding experts in medicine and engineering. Describes the interaction of laser light with tissue Reviews every type of laser used in medicine: solid state, gas, dye and semiconductor Describes the use of lasers for diagnostics Lasers can alter the surface composition and properties of materials in a highly controllable way, which makes them efficient and cost-effective tools for surface engineering. This book provides an overview of the different techniques, the laser-material interactions and the advantages and disadvantages for different applications. Part one looks at laser heat treatment, part two covers laser additive manufacturing such as laser-enhanced electroplating, and part three discusses laser micromachining, structuring and surface modification. Chemical and biological applications of laser surface engineering are explored in part four, including ways to improve the surface corrosion properties of metals.

• Provides an overview of thermal surface treatments using lasers, including the treatment of steels, light metal alloys, polycrystalline silicon and technical ceramics
• Addresses the development of new metallic materials, innovations in laser cladding and direct metal deposition, and the fabrication of tuneable micro- and nano-scale surface structures
• Chapters also cover laser structuring, surface modification, and the chemical and biological applications of laser surface engineering

Semiconductor lasers have important applications in numerous fields, including engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine. They form the backbone of the optical telecommunications infrastructure supporting the Internet, and are used in information storage devices, bar-code scanners, laser printers and many other everyday products. This book provides a comprehensive review of this vital technology and is a valuable guide for all those involved in the design, operation and application of lasers, including laser and telecommunications engineers, scientists working in biology and chemistry, medical practitioners, and academics working in this field. It also discusses photonic crystal lasers, high power semiconductor lasers and laser beams, and the use of semiconductor lasers in ultrafast pulse generation as well as reviews applications of visible and near-infrared emitting lasers and mid- and far-infrared emitting lasers. -- Edited summary from book This book provides an overview of the different techniques, the laser-material interactions and the advantages and disadvantages for different surface engineering applications. Topics include: laser heat treatment; laser additive manufacturing such as laser-enhanced electroplating; laser micromachining, structuring and surface modification; chemical and biological applications of laser surface engineering; ways to improve the surface corrosion properties of metals; thermal surface treatments using lasers, including the treatment of steels, light metal alloys, polycrystalline silicon and technical ceramics; development of new metallic materials, innovations in laser cladding and direct metal deposition, and the fabrication of tuneable micro- and nano-scale surface structures; laser structuring, surface modification, and the chemical and biological applications of laser surface engineering. -- Edited summary from book