
5. Thermal effect
The thermal action of lasers is now the predominant mechanism of therapeutic laser applications. The thermal effect encompasses a broad group of interaction types characterized by a significant temperature change within the tissue illuminated by the laser. Thermal effects can be achieved with both continuous and pulsed lasers. The thermal effect of lasers is a complex process comprising three phenomena: conversion of laser light into heat, heat transfer to the tissue and a temperature-dependent tissue reaction. Depending on the duration of heating and the temperature rise in the tissue, one of the following effects can be obtained: hyperthermia, coagulation, or volatilization of a given tissue volume (table 1 ).
There are a huge number of clinical applications, and it is beyond the scope of this article...
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!

The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
This article is included in
Optics and photonics
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Thermal effect
Bibliography
Websites
Société Francophone des Lasers Médicaux http://www.sflm.org
American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, Inc.
Laser Group of the French Society of Dermatology
European Laser Association
International Photodynamic Association
European...
Events
ASLMS Annual Meeting, USA
SFLM Annual Congress, France
Risks and prevention :
Regulations
Medical lasers are approved in accordance with MDD 93-42. http://www.ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/harmonised-standards/medical-devices/index_en.htm
In France
Statistical and economic data
Each year, Laser Focus World magazine publishes a study on the laser market, and the medical laser market in particular (table 1 and figure
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!

The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference