Effects of heat transfer and energy absorption in the ablation of biological tissues by pulsetrain-burst (>100 MHz) ultrafast laser processing

Paul Forrester; Kieran Bol; Lothar Lilge; Robin Marjoribanks

doi:10.1117/12.707662

8 September 2006 Effects of heat transfer and energy absorption in the ablation of biological tissues by pulsetrain-burst (>100 MHz) ultrafast laser processing

Paul Forrester, Kieran Bol, Lothar Lilge, Robin Marjoribanks

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6343, Photonics North 2006; 63430J (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.707662
Event: Photonics North 2006, 2006, Quebec City, Canada

Abstract

Energy absorption and heat transfer are important factors for regulating the effects of ablation of biological tissues. Heat transfer to surrounding material may be desirable when ablating hard tissue, such as teeth or bone, since melting can produce helpful material modifications. However, when ablating soft tissue it is important to minimize heat transfer to avoid damage to healthy tissue - for example, in eye refractive surgery (e.g., Lasik), nanosecond pulses produce gross absorption and heating in tissue, leading to shockwaves, which kill and thin the non-replicating epithelial cells on the inside of the cornea; ultrafast pulses are recognized to reduce this effect. Using a laser system that delivers 1ps pulses in 10μs pulsetrains at 133MHz we have studied a range of heat- and energy-transfer effects on hard and soft tissue. We describe the ablation of tooth dentin and enamel under various conditions to determine the ablation rate and chemical changes that occur. Furthermore, we characterize the impact of pulsetrain-burst treatment of collagen-based tissue to determine more efficient methods of energy transfer to soft tissues. By studying the optical science of laser tissue interaction we hope to be able to make qualitative improvements to medical treatments using lasers.

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Paul Forrester, Kieran Bol, Lothar Lilge, and Robin Marjoribanks "Effects of heat transfer and energy absorption in the ablation of biological tissues by pulsetrain-burst (>100 MHz) ultrafast laser processing", Proc. SPIE 6343, Photonics North 2006, 63430J (8 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.707662

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