Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 24/25.P.1.00

Description Period: 2024./25 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Medical Laser Physics

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
FK_067
Branch of Science
Medical Physics ; Physical sciences
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Dentistry
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Lāsma Asare
Structure Unit Manager
Jevgenijs Proskurins
Structural Unit
Department of Physics
Contacts

Riga, 26a Anninmuizas boulevard, 1st floor, Rooms No 147 a and b, fizika@rsu.lv, +371 67061539

About Study Course

Objective

1. To promote acquisition of knowledge about the main use of lasers in medicine and to provide a basic understanding of tissue optics. 2. To provide theoretical knowledge of lasers and intense pulsed light therapy applications in medicine. 3. To teach students to evaluate the impact of lasers on the human body, tissues and to predict the changes in laser power; know security tools, frameworks and standards for working with lasers; use and follow safety rules at work with lasers.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of mathematics and physics.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to: 1. Correctly use terms of laser physics. 2. Discuss the differences between continuous and pulsed laser systems, and the uses of both. 3. Describe the basics of laser safety. 4. Understand how the design of a laser affects its output characteristics. 5. Assess the properties of laser systems based on a knowledge of their design. 6. Describe the role of lasers in medicine, their applications in diagnostic and therapeutic processes.

Skills

1.Students will be able to use the physical principles in modern medical laser equipment for further studies. Will be able to recognise the more frequent use of laser types and safety class.

Competences

1.Upon completion of the study course students will be able to evaluate the activity of the laser, its physical structure and its effect on the human body, and to justify the use of lasers in medicine. By the end of the study course the students will be able to apply the principles of the effective use of medical lasers and knowledge of risks.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Individual work
-
-
During the course the students do individual work – practical calculations according to the course themes. Presentation: Each student gives an oral presentation with demonstration of understanding of physical principles and applications of medical lasers.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Examination
-
-
Students are evaluated by in class activities: attendance and oral presentation about study theme.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Introduction. The physical laser guiding principles. Atomic spontaneous and stimulated radiation. The population inverse levels. Optical and electrical "pumping" scheme. The principle of laser resonator. Resonator modes. Laser operating continuous and pulse mode.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laser Safety. Medical laser safety classes and the corresponding potential tissue damage. Most frequently applied medical laser exposure limits. Medical staff and patient laser safety rules. The laser safety rules and standards. Goggles and other safety equipment. Warning signs of the laser beams, the colour combinations, depending on the degree of danger. National and international laser safety standards.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laser radiation effects on tissues. Living tissue specificity. Scattering and absorption in tissue. Therapeutic window. Skin optics and basic optics of blood.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laser radiation effects on tissues. Main mechanisms of laser radiation – tissue interactions. Laser – induced photochemical, photothermic and photodegradation effects; appropriate radiation dose and temperature ranges. Laser radiation penetration depth in tissue. Cell necrosis. The critical laser power/ energy density tissue photocoagulation, photoablation, and evaporation.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laser types. The main types and constructions of medical lasers.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. The use of lasers in therapy and diagnostics. Laser fluorescence diagnostics: basic principles and clinical applications in oncology, cardiology and dentistry.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laser dopplerography principles.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Lasers in dermatology. Medium-power laser biomedical applications. Laser photodynamic therapy. Cosmetic laser applications: port-wine stains and tattoos. Laser hair removal.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laser surgery: a high-powered laser medical applications. Laser scalpels. Laser surgery, laser angioplasty and laser dentistry.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Lasers in surgery: eye surgery using lasers. Tissue welding with lasers.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Seminar: lasers in dermatology.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Seminar: lasers in therapy and diagnostics.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Seminar: laser surgery.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2

  1. Laboratory works: Tissue heating with Infrared laser. Skin fluorescence spectrum intake. Photoablation.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
3

  1. Process experimental data – calculation, drawing graphs, writing conclusions. Practical work submission.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Computer room
3
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

W.T. Silfvast. Laser Fundamentals. Cambridge University Press, 2008. (akceptējams izdevums)

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