Medical Laser Physics
Study Course Implementer
Riga, 26a Anniņmuižas boulevard, 1st floor, Rooms 147 a and b fizika@rsu.lv, +371 67061539
About Study Course
Objective
Preliminary Knowledge
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. They will be able to recognise the more frequent use of laser types and safety classes.
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
Examination
Study Course Theme Plan
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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.
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Laser Safety. Medical laser safety class and the corresponding potential tissue damage. Most frequently applied medical laser exposure limits. Medical staff and patient laser safety rules. 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.
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Laser radiation effects on tissues. Living tissue specificity. Scattering and absorption in tissue. Therapeutic window. Skin optics and basic optics of blood.
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Laser radiation effects on tissues. Laser radiation-tissue interactions' main mechanisms. 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.
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Laser types. The main types of medical lasers.
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The use of lasers in therapy and diagnostics. Laser fluorescence diagnostics: basic principles and clinical applications in oncology, cardiology and dentistry. Laser dopplerography principles.
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Lasers in dermatology. Medium-power laser biomedical applications. Laser photodynamic therapy. Cosmetic laser applications: port-wine stains and tattoos. Laser hair removal.
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Laser surgery. A high-powered laser medical application. Laser scalpels. Laser surgery, laser angioplasty and laser dentistry. Eye surgery using lasers. Tissue welding with lasers.
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IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy: IPL classification. Mechanisms of action. IPL therapy applications in dermatology.
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Seminar: Lasers in dermatology. Lasers in therapy and diagnostics. Laser surgery.
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Laboratory work: Tissue heating with Infrared laser. Photoablation.
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Laboratory work: Skin fluorescence spectrum intake.
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Processing experimental data – calculation, drawing graphs, writing conclusions. Acceptance of Practical work.
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Visiting and participating in lectures in Dentistry Institute.
Bibliography
Required Reading
W.T. Silfvast. Laser Fundamentals. Cambridge University Press, 2008. (akceptējams izdevums)