Temperature control during diode laser welding in a human cornea

Francesca Rossi; Paolo Matteini; Roberto Pini; Luca Menabuoni

doi:10.1117/12.727478

13 July 2007 Temperature control during diode laser welding in a human cornea

Francesca Rossi, Paolo Matteini, Roberto Pini, Luca Menabuoni

Proceedings Volume 6632, Therapeutic Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions III; 663215 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.727478
Event: European Conferences on Biomedical Optics, 2007, Munich, Germany

Abstract

Diode laser welding is a technique proposed in ophthalmic surgery to induce immediate sealing of clear corneal wounds. The welding effect is achieved irradiating the area, previously treated with a chromophore, by the use of a low power diode laser: the resulting thermal effect induces structural modifications in the stromal collagen, that welds upon cooling. We present a study on the temperature dynamics developing during welding in a human eye. An infrared thermocamera was used to measure the temperature variations on the surface of the cornea during clinical penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplant). The experimental data were used as a starting point for a theoretical investigation of the temperature rising inside the ocular structures: we developed a mathematical model based on the bio-heat equation and solved by the use of the Finite Element Method (FEM). The predictive accuracy was verified by comparing the temperature post-processing description with the results obtained from the thermographic data. The model was then used to study the temperature rise and heat propagation inside the eye. Experimental results and model analysis indicated the occurrence of heat confinement during the treatment procedure and a modest enhancement of the temperature (reaching about 55°C inside the laser treated wound), thus evidencing the safety of the procedure in clinical applications.

Citation Download Citation

Francesca Rossi, Paolo Matteini, Roberto Pini, and Luca Menabuoni "Temperature control during diode laser welding in a human cornea", Proc. SPIE 6632, Therapeutic Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions III, 663215 (13 July 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.727478

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available