Lasers In Medical Diagnosis And Therapy

"Lasers in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy provides an overview on medical lasers and laser systems as well as laser applications in medical diagnosis and therapy. Since it was written by physicists, it focusses on the physics and underlying mechanisms of laser diagnosis and therapy and thus initially covers the basics of laser light generation, a selection of the most important laser types and systems commonly used in medicine, and the principles of laser light guidance. The book should be used as a textbook for lectures, practice lessons and for the preparation of exams and addresses students, lecturers, and researchers in the fields of medical engineering and technology, medical physics, medicine and surgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, laser physics and development as well as optical engineering. Part of Series in Physics and Engineering in Medicine and Biology." -- Prové de l'editor.

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

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.

The steep progress of the application of lasers in medical diagnosis and therapy demands for a modern introductory text for physicians in this field. This book bridges the existing gap between standard textbooks in laser physics and specialized monographs in laser medicine. Starting from the fundamentals of laser operation and propagation of laser radiation through different biological systems, the author adopts theoretical concepts as well as approved clinical applications of lasers in medicine. Special emphasis is provided to recent results of research and novel clinical applications. The description of current laser devices and remarks to the medical product directive makes this book to a helpful tool for students, researchers and clinicians working as physicist, biologist or medical doctor in the field of laser applications in medicine.

Laser Therapy in Healthcare: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment explores the numerous applications of laser treatment in healthcare. Laser therapy has undergone transformative advances for different diseases, diagnoses, and treatments. A variety of medical operations and technological advances are discussed, most importantly the early detection of cancer with laser therapy. In addition, it includes case studies, the use of X-ray and computerized tomography, and in-depth discussions of diverse laser therapy applications. This book acts as a roadmap through the various aspects of laser-based diagnostics and treatment modalities, from the basic chapters that explain the fundamentals of laser physics and its significant effects on tissues to the in-depth investigation of laser surgery in modern healthcare. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of laser therapy, emphasizing its critical role in the treatment of many medical problems. The valued content from contributors highlights applications, challenges, and the potential future of medical practices.

In every area of human endeavor, technology has opened the door for new advancements to occur. Much of the progress in medicine over the last few years is due, in large part, to new technological tools made available to clinicians and researchers. Laser is an expanding technological discipline in medicine that will ultimately contribute to a broad and rapid expansion of both diagnostic and treatment procedures. Laser is to light what music is to noise. Those physicians who wish to be most successful in the application of this technology, to the benefit of their patient, will learn of the subtle interactions of light with tissue. No technology is good or bad in itself. It is only in the choices we make, in when and how to apply that technology, that it gains its moral value. The use of lasers in medicine has some very definite advantages in the surgical and medical treatment of a variety of disorders. At the same time we must all be careful to not perpetrate the myth of lasers in medicine. Vastly overstated claims of the value of 'laser surgery' have been held out to the general public, resulting in health care being sought on the basis of laser availability.

This handbook is intended for the advanced specialist and for the practitioner interested in the application of lasers in medicine. It provides summaries of all available medical laser systems and their clinical use. The first part introduces basic laser physics, including laser-tissue interactions as well as technical equipment and particular techniques developed for medical use in connection with laser. The second part of the text covers all areas of laser application in medicine and has been written by senior specialists from different countries. The book includes about 300 line drawings, more than 100 high quality photographs, an extensive subject and author register, and an exhaustive list of references.