UC Irvine

These investigations were performed to determine thermal, histological and incisional effects in soft tissue of laser irradiation at 9.3 um. Specifically, the consequences of varying pulse duration, interval and frequency, peak and average powers and energy densities were studied. In fresh pig's jaws, 6 standardized incisions, 3 cm in length, were made per parameter using a template and motorized jig. Incisions were made at various standardized anatomical sites, and surface thermal events monitored using an IR camera. Laser parameters investigated: power: 1 - 11 W, duty cycle: 10 - 90%, Pulse duration: 1 - 200 ms, at gated continuous wave. Superpulse and OptiPulse TM modes with 300 us pulses were also investigated. Incision width and depth as well as collateral tissue effects were assessed statistically. They were directly related to the parameters used. Ease of incision and effects on underlying bone were also parameter-related.