Effect of pulse repetition rate on erbium laser ablation of soft and hard tissues

Jay Walsh*, Joseph P. Cummings

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

An Er:YSGG laser was used to evaluate cutting rate and residual thermal damage in skin and bone at pulse repetition rates of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 Hz. The pulse repetition rate did not affect the cutting rate or the residual damage in bone. In skin, etch depth per pulse was greatest at 2 Hz possibly because the beam profile is Gaussian only at this lowest fluence. The cutting rate in skin was similar at all other repetition rates. Residual damage in skin was greatest at high fluences (>25 J/cm2) and increased with pulse repetition rate at all fluences studied. The results are explained using a simple thermal model that is based upon the thermal cooling time of the zone of tissue damaged by a single laser pulse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsSteven L. Jacques
PublisherPubl by Int Soc for Optical Engineering
Pages12-21
Number of pages10
Volume1202
ISBN (Print)0819402435
StatePublished - Dec 1 1990
EventProceedings of Laser-Tissue Interaction - Los Angeles, CA, USA
Duration: Jan 15 1990Jan 17 1990

Other

OtherProceedings of Laser-Tissue Interaction
CityLos Angeles, CA, USA
Period1/15/901/17/90

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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