Laser tissue welding: laser spot size and beam profile studies

Nathaniel M. Fried, Vincent C. Hung, Joseph T. Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effect of laser spot diameter and beam profile on the shape of the thermal denaturation zone produced during laser tissue welding. 2-cm-long full-thickness incisions were made on the epilated backs of guinea pigs in vivo. India ink was used as an absorber and clamps were used to appose the incision edges. Welding was performed using continuous-wave 1.06-μm, Nd:YAG laser radiation scanned over the incisions to produce approx. 100-ms pulses. Laser spot diameters of 1, 2, 4, and 6 mm were studied, with powers of 1, 4, 16, and 36 W, respectively. The irradiance remained constant at 127 W/cm 2. Monte Carlo simulations were also conducted to examine the effect of laser spot size and beam profile on the distribution of photons absorbed in the tissue. The laser spot diameter was varied from 1 to 6 mm. Gaussian, flat-top, dual Gaussian, and dual flat-top beam profiles were studied. The experimental results showed that 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-mm-diameter spots produced thermal denaturation to an average depth of 570, 970, 1470, and 1900 μm, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that the most uniform distribution of photon absorption is achieved using large diameter dual flat-top beams.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1004-1012
Number of pages9
JournalIEEE Journal on Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Volume5
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1999

Funding

Manuscript received May 10, 1999; revised June 30, 1999. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant BES-9257492 and Grant BES-9813959. Dr. Walsh has been the recipient of a Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation and teaching honors at Northwestern University.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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