Grueneisen-stress-induced ablation of biological tissue

Ronald S. Dingus; Richard J. Scammon

doi:10.1117/12.44088

1 June 1991 Grüneisen-stress-induced ablation of biological tissue

Ronald S. Dingus, Richard J. Scammon

Proceedings Volume 1427, Laser-Tissue Interaction II; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.44088
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The objective of biomedical applications of lasers is frequently to remove tissue in a controlled manner. However, for ablation induced by thermal- or photo-decomposition, damage to surrounding tissue may be excessive in some instances. Tissue can also be ablated by a hydrodynamic process referred to as front surface spallation, in which a thin layer next to a free surface is heated to levels, below vaporization but, so rapidly that it cannot undergo thermal expansion during laser heating. This generates a stress pulse, which propagates away from the heated region, with an initial amplitude that can be calculated using the Gruneisen coefficient. As the pulse reflects from the free surface, a tensile tail can develop of sufficient amplitude, exceeding the material strength, that a layer will be spalled off, taking much of the laser-deposited energy with it. Because tissue is generally a low strength material, this process has the potential of producing controlled ablation with reduced damage to the remaining tissue. However, to achieve these conditions, the laser pulse length, absorption depth and fluence must be properly tailored. This paper presents hydrodynamic calculations and analytical modeling relating to both stress- and thermal-induced ablation as a function of laser and tissue properties to illustrate the potential benefits of stress induced ablation. Also, guidance is given for tailoring the exposure parameters to enhance front surface spallation.

Citation Download Citation

Ronald S. Dingus and Richard J. Scammon "Grüneisen-stress-induced ablation of biological tissue", Proc. SPIE 1427, Laser-Tissue Interaction II, (1 June 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.44088

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