Lasers And Optical Fibers In Medicine

The increasing use of fiber optics in the field of medicine has created a need for an interdisciplinary perspective of the technology and methods for physicians as well as engineers and biophysicists. This book presents a comprehensive examination of lasers and optical fibers in an hierarchical, three-tier system. Each chapter is divided into three basic sections: the Fundamentals section provides an overview of basic concepts and background; the Principles section offers an in-depth engineering approach; and the Advances section features specific information on systems and biophysical parameters. All those interested in the fields of lasers and fiber optics will find this book fascinating and instructive reading.

SPIE Milestones are collections of seminal papers from the world literature covering important discoveries and developments in optics and photonics.

Lasers and Optical Instrumentation covers B.E., M.E., and M. Sc. (Electronics) degree courses. The text covers basic principles of lasers, types of lasers and their characteristics, laser applications in engineering and medicine. Further the book includes extensive coverage of optoelectronic devices, fibre optic communication and fibre optic sensors. The book includes many solved problems throughout the text to support the theoretical concepts and help in understanding of underlying principles. Review questions have been included at the end of each chapter to practise and self-study. Spread in Ten Chapters the book broadly covers: " Characteristics of lasers, mode locking, Q-switching, powerful lasers, frequency stabilisation " Overview of applications of lasers in science, engineering and medicine; reliability and safety aspects " Laser interferometer, laser strain gauges, laser Doppler velocimeter, laser ranging, mechanical cutting, welding, scribing, holography " Applications of Raman spectroscopy " Application of laser devices, optical fibers etc., in fiber optic communications " Integrated optics, radiation source, transmission link, detector " Fibre optical sensors, non-intrusively, displacements, pressure, temperature, high currents, angular velocity " Future perspectives nanophotonics, quantum dots, photonic crystals

The use of lasers in medical practice has dramatically increased over the years. Lasers and modern optics have largely been unexplored in medical science. This contributed work is both optimistic and cautionary in its expert evaluation of the state-of-the-art medical use of laser technology. The use of lasers to improve upon conventional practice is highlighted in the foreword by the late Dr. Leon Goldman, widely regarded as the father of laser medicine. Focused on filling a need for a "basic physics" understanding of laser-tissue interactions, Lasers in Medicine brings together contributions from experts in various medical specialties, including ophthalmology, dermatology, and cardiovascular medicine. Each chapter addresses significant applications of laser technology and offers the author's perspective on the state-of-the-art within that specialty. The discussions convey enough basic information to enable readers to assess a laser's usefulness for a specific purpose and to understand its limitations: A clinical engineer needs to know what laser to use for tattoo removal-Chapter 1 lists laser wavelengths available and pulse characteristics for absorption in tattoo ink to thermally decompose the ink, allowing the body to remove it. An oncologist discovers cancerous tissue in the lining of a bladder-can photodynamic therapy be used to treat it, and what is the success rate? Chapter 10 details treatment and Chapter 6 tells how to find exactly where the cancer is located. A newly graduated ophthalmologist needs to know the advantages a laser can bring to his profession-Chapter 8 can provide the information he needs to know. Lasers have made many advances in medicine-especially in ophthalmology, dermatology, and cardiology-sparking a wave of enthusiasm. Lasers in Medicine supplies sufficient fundamental knowledge in order to more appropriately assess a laser's usefulness for a specific purpose, and to not attempt to purchase or utilize a laser when it is not the best solution.

A careful review of the literature covering various aspects of applications of lasers in science and technology reveals that lasers are being applied very widely throughout the entire gamut of physical medicine. After surveying the current developments taking place in the field of medical applications of lasers, it was considered appropriate to bring together these efforts of international research scientists and experts into one volume. It is with this aim that the editors have prepared this volume which brings current research and recent developments to the attention of a wide spectrum of readership associated with hospitals, medical institutions and universities world wide, including also the medical instrument industry. Both teachers and students in the medical faculties will especially find this compendium quite useful. This book is comprised of eleven chapters. All of the important medical applications of lasers are featured. The editors have made every effort that individual chapters are self-contained and written by experts. Emphasis has been placed on straight and simple presentation of the subject matter so that even the new entrants into the field will find the book of value.