Photomedicine

Offering broad coverage of the basic, clinical and curative aspects of photomedicine, this reference reflects the recent expansion of knowledge on the effects of light on normal skin as well as photosensitivity disorders and the use of light in treating various diseases and conditions.;The book demonstrates how light acts as a therapeutic agent by means such as phototherapy, photochemotherapy, extracorporeal photopheresis, and the use of lasers in photomedicine and photodynamic therapy.;Providing a detailed introduction to the subject, Clinical Photomedicine: discusses the fundamental principles of photomedicine such as skin optics, light sources, and pharmacology; explicates the acute and chronic effects of light on normal skin, including sunburn reaction, photoaging, and skin cancer; considers photoimmunology; examines clinical photosensitivity diseases as well as topical and systemic photoprotection; and much more.;With over 1300 literature citations, Clinical Photomedicine is designed as a resource for dermatologists and photobiologists, as well as residents and fellows in these disciplines.

The photodynamic technique involves the administration of a photosensitizer followed by application of laser light. When light interacts intracellularly with the photosensitizer, the photon energy absorbed by the sensitizing molecule mainly generates photooxidation for tissue destruction or fluorescence for diagnostics. Photomedical techniques provide a minimally invasive, ambulatory procedure in gynecology, not needing anesthetics. A history of photomedicine explains the main elements and mechanisms of photomedical techniques. One of the main chapters is dedicated to the biochemical and biophysical aspects of photomedicine such as characterization of photosensitizers, their interaction with light, their destruction, the optical dosimetry and optical properties of tissues. The clinical part of this book summarizes the state-of-the-art activity in all major gynecologic applications, from cervix to breast, and provides the reader with an understanding of photodynamic therapy and basic mechanisms. Photon-assisted reproduction, e.g. laser-assisted fertilization, embryo hatching and prenatal diagnosis, makes up the final chapters. Belonging in every hospital or university library, this book underscores why photomedicine appeals to such a broad spectrum of students, basic scientists, clinicians, and members of the corporate world.

Although the history of photomedicine dates back thousands of years, with even preliterate cultures appreciating the healing properties of sunlight, for many workers in the discipline photomedicine is associated with the observation about 100 years ago of Niels Finsen, a Danish physician. Finsen recognized that people with tuberculosis who lived in Norway and who had very little exposure to sunlight often developed facial lesions (lupus vulgaris) which would decrease and sometimes disappear during the summer months. This very observant physician reasoned that artificial light ought to produce the same effect as sunlight and began utilizing the radiation from the newly available carbon arc. At first, he used a glass lens to concentrate the radiation, but since this produced considerable burning, he replaced this with a hollow glass lens filled with water. However, while this reduced the heat burns, it did not actually duplicate the effect of direct sunlight. Finally, using a hollow lens filled with water but equipped with quartz windows, Finsen was able to imitate, even improve upon, the effect of sunlight. As a result, lupus vulgaris was practically eliminated from the Scandinavian countries.

Nanoscience has become one of the key growth areas in recent years. It can be integrated into imaging and therapy to increase the potential for novel applications in the field of photomedicine. In the past commercial applications of nanoscience have been limited to materials science research only, however, in recent years nanoparticles are rapidly being incorporated into industrial and consumer products. This is mainly due to the expansion of biomedical related research and the burgeoning field of nanomedicine. Applications of Nanoscience in Photomedicine covers a wide range of nanomaterials including nanoparticles used for drug delivery and other emerging fields such as optofluidics, imaging and SERS diagnostics. Introductory chapters are followed by a section largely concerned with imaging, and finally a section on nanoscience-enabled therapeutics. Covers a comprehensive up-to-date information on nanoscience Focuses on the combination of photomedicine with nanotechnology to enhance the diversity of applications Pioneers in the field have written their respective chapters Opens a plethora of possibilities for developing future nanomedicine Easy to understand and yet intensive coverage chapter by chapter

This volume contains the Proceedings of a two-week course on "Laser Applications to Biology and Medicine" held from September 4 to 16, 1983 in Erice, Italy. This is the 10th annual course of the International School of Quantum Electronics organized under the auspices of the "E. Majorana" Center for Scientific Culture. ,Among the possible approaches to a course on Laser Applications to Biology and Medicine, the one which emphasizes the scientific and technological aspects of the advanced laser techniques when applied to laboratory and clinical tests has been chosen. In fact, it reflects the new policy of the School to stress the advanced scien tific and technological achievements in the field of Quantum Elec tronics. Accordingly, the Course has given the broadest information on the ultimate performances already achieved and the perspectives of their applications. Because of the great variety of applications of laser in biology, medicine, chemistry, engineering and related branches of science, this school addressed a subject of interdisciplinary interest. The formal sessions have been balanced between tutorial presentations and lectures focusing on unsolved problems and future directions. In addition, wide time has been provided for the par ticipants to meet together informally for additional discussions on the forefront of current work. Therefore the character of the Course was a blend of current research and tutorial reviews.

This Conference on biomedical applications of. lasers ~Ias organized by the Quantum Electronics Divisional Board of the European Physical Society (E.P.S.) and held at the Villa of Poggio Imperiale in Florence, September 3-6, 1979. As kno~m, laser surgery (especially microsurgery and endoscopic photo coagulation) has recently made important progress, and the field is expand i ng rapidly. Very significant applications of lasers have also been achieved in Bi ology during recent years (cell microsurgery, cell counting and sorting, cytofluorimeter devices, etc.) and the potential of laser techniques in this field is nO~1 sufficiently well establ ished. A new class of applications of laserradiJtion in Medicine has recently been made possible by important results obtained with low intensity (non coagulative) visible lasers, such as photodynamic therapy of tumors. At the same time important branches of Medicine, where light effects are studied and optical techniques are presently used for a certain number of clinical applications, such as dermatology and pediatry, appear to be still in their infancy as far as the proper use of optical radiation and techniques, and the understanding of fundamental photoinduced biological processes are con cerned. Moreover, laser photobiology appears a very promising field for the investigation of fundamental processes at the biomolecular level.

Providing the most comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of this exciting biomedical field, Handbook of Photomedicine gathers together a large team of international experts to give you a complete account of the application of light in healthcare and medical science. The book progresses logically from the history and fundamentals of photomedicine to diverse therapeutic applications of light, known collectively as phototherapies. It facilitates your understanding of human diseases caused by light, the rationale for photoprotection, and major applications of phototherapy in clinical practice. The handbook begins with a series of historical vignettes of pioneers from the last two centuries. It also presents the fundamentals of physics and biology as applied to photomedicine. It next examines conditions and diseases caused by light, including skin cancer, dermatoses, and immunosuppression. The remainder of the book focuses on the most important clinical therapeutic applications of different kinds of light that vary in both wavelength and intensity. The book discusses ultraviolet phototherapy for skin diseases and infections and presents the basic science of photodynamic therapy and its use in cancer therapy and other medical specialties. It then covers mechanistic studies and clinical applications of low-level laser (light) therapy as well as the use of high power or surgical laser therapy in specialties, such as dentistry and dermatology. The book concludes with a collection of miscellaneous types of phototherapy.

This volume contains the Proceedings of a two-week NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Laser Systems for Photobiology and Photomedicine", conducted from May 11 to 20, 1990 in Erice, Italy. This is the 15th annual course of the International School of Quantum Electronics (ISQE), organized under the auspices of the "Ettore Majorana" Center for Scientific Culture. The application of lasers to medicine and surgery has made amazing progress since the last ISQE Course on this subject in 1983. The present Proceedings give a tutorial introduction to today's most important areas, as well as a review of current results by leading researchers. Among the possible approaches to a NATO Advanced Study Institute on Laser Systems for Photobiology and Photomedicine, we chose to emphasize the scientific and technological aspects of advanced laser systems when applied to laboratory and clinical tests. Since it is the policy of the School to stress the advanced scientific and techn·ological achievements in the field of Quantum Electronics, the Course broadly covers performance already achieved and potential applications.