Experimental investigation on the vascular thermal response to near-infrared laser pulses

Laser-Induced Blood Coagulation for Surgical Application: A Scoping Review

There is a lack of evidence-based reviews on the effects of laser irradiation on blood coagulation in the literature, despite a large number of clinical trials. We therefore evaluated the available evidence on laser irradiation parameters used in coagulation of blood to optimize physical parameters. We performed a literature search for recent scientific studies indexed between 2017 and 2023 using the databases of PubMed and ScienceDirect. Articles were selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 78 publications in total were eventually included in this scoping review. The following were found to produce significant benefits in blood coagulation for surgical application: (1) dentistry and oral surgeries: 980 nm, 27 s, 2 W, 1502.7 W/cm2, 26.5 J, 622 J/cm2, 400 μm; (2) urogenital disorders: 532 nm, 4 s, 40 W, 10600 W/cm2, 1.3 J, 424 J/cm2, 600 μm; (3) ophthalmic disorders: 810 nm, 1 s, 1 W, 3540 W/cm2, 0.75 J, 1326 J/cm2, 100 μm; (4) embryological surgeries: 1064 nm, 10 s, 25 W, 35400 W/cm2, 262.5 J, 371000 J/cm2, 332.5 μm; (5) dermatological disorders: 1064 nm, 20 W, 2440 W/cm2, 0.1 J, 24 J/cm2, 670 μm; (6) gastrointestinal disorders: 532 nm, 3 s, 20 W, 1051 W/cm2, 120 J, 26500 J/cm2, 760 μm; (7) neurological surgeries: 2.5 s, 1.5 W, 1035 W/cm2, 2 J, 1584 J/cm2, 385 μm; (8) pulmonary disorders: 1320 nm, 5s, 35 W, 12450 W/cm2, 250 J, 65000 J/cm2, 700 μm (9) cardiovascular disorders: 1064 nm, 16.5 s, 5 W, 1980.5 W/cm2, 900 J, 760 J/cm2, 400 μm. In conclusion, our scoping review identifies that combining data from all clinically heterogeneous studies suggests that laser irradiation reflects an effective method for inducing blood coagulation in several medical fields.

Quantitative Assessment of the Efficacy of the Nd:YAG Laser Therapy of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Within psoriatic lesions, microvascular dysfunction and numerous, tortuous blood vessels occurs. The Nd:YAG laser causes the selective destruction of dilated capillaries, which contributes to the inhibition of leukocyte transport within psoriatic lesions and may be an effective method of psoriasis therapy. This preliminary study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the Nd:YAG laser in reducing psoriatic lesions. Twenty volunteers suffering from psoriasis met the inclusion criteria and were qualified for the study. The non-lesional skin areas and areas with psoriatic lesions were imaged using a DUB SkinScanner high-frequency ultrasound, and skin parameters, including the stratum corneum hydration, melanin and hemoglobin level, were evaluated. The thickness of the epidermis and the SLEB layer, as well as the density of the dermis, were assessed before and after the therapy. The Nd:YAG laser, with a wavelength of 1064 nm and a 650-microsecond pulse duration, was used to treat psoriasis. The density of psoriatic skin after treatment increased by 7.26 u.m. and epidermis thickness decreased by 0.068 u.m. The stratum corneum hydration increased by 9.5 u.m., hemoglobin value decreased by 35 u.m. and melanin decreased by 12 u.m. The thickness of the SLEB layer was also reduced from 0.340 mm before the therapy to 0.195 mm after the therapy. The increase in skin density and the decrease in epidermal thickness after the therapy may prove the effectiveness of the Nd:YAG laser in reducing psoriatic lesions. The thickness of the SLEB layer and hemoglobin decrease indicate a reduction in inflammation. Laser therapy improves the epidermal hydration of psoriatic skin.

Development of a real-time blood damage monitoring device for cardiopulmonary bypass system using near-infrared spectroscopy

The optical properties of hemoglobin could indicate the degree of hemolysis. We aimed to utilize this to develop a real-time blood damage monitoring device for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) systems. The real-time blood damage monitoring device comprised a near-infrared spectroscopy optical module with a fiber spectrometer and monitoring platform and computer software developed using LabVIEW 2017. The fiber spectrometer operated at wavelengths of 545, 660, and 940 nm and contained a detector fiber bundle (source-detector distance = 1.0-2.5 cm). CPB operation was simulated using an artificial heart-lung machine with a flow rate of 3, 4, or 5 L/min. Four hundred milliliter of anticoagulated porcine blood was continuously rotated for 4 h. The transmittance, reflectivity, and absorbance of the blood were measured using the optical device at a frequency of 25 Hz and then digitally averaged into 1-s interval. Samples of damaged blood were collected at regular intervals for in vitro hemolysis tests to calculate the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH). All experiments were repeated three times. We prepared 28 blood bags containing 400 ml of anticoagulant. Paired t test was used to examine the test-retest reliability of the differences between the three methods and control samples. Statistical tests revealed significant differences in the mean values between the test and control groups over time (P < 0.01). Relationship was established between the real-time monitoring results and the NIH values. An effective blood damage detection method that combined in vitro hemolysis tests and near-infrared spectroscopy was achieved. The results demonstrate the clinical potential of a real-time, low-cost, and reliable blood damage monitoring device to improve the safety of CPB operation.

Experimental investigations on thermal effects of a long-pulse alexandrite laser on blood vessels and its comparison with pulsed dye and Nd:YAG lasers

Laser has been widely used in the treatment of vascular skin diseases, such as port wine stain, due to the effect of selective photothermolysis in laser on biological tissue. The 755 nm alexandrite laser was expected to achieve better curative effect than the commonly used 585 or 595 nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) because of its deeper tissue penetration. In this study, the dorsal chamber model and microscopic visualization system were used to observe morphology changes on 42 blood vessels before and after irradiation with the 755 nm laser. Results showed that thermal effects of blood vessels intensified with the increase in energy, and high energy was required to produce the same thermal effect as the extension of pulse width. Different from 595 and 1064 nm lasers, partial vessel contraction was dominant thermal effect caused by the 755 nm laser. The bleeding injury rate and thermal effect of the 755 nm laser were between those of 595 nm PDL and 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. The simulation results proved that 595 nm PDLs were effective for small and shallow target blood vessels. The 755 nm alexandrite lasers were effective in the treatment of hypertrophic and resistant blood vessels to PDL in the skin with low or moderate melanin concentration. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser was effective in the treatment of deeply buried and enlarged target blood vessels in the skin with high melanin concentration. The simulation results were supported by published clinical observations.

Numerical Modeling and Clinical Evaluation of Pulsed Dye Laser and Copper Vapor Laser in Skin Vascular Lesions Treatment

Introduction: Different yellow lasers have been successfully used for the treatment of vascular lesions. This study is aimed to ascertain the role and efficiency of copper vapor lasers (CVLs) and pulsed dye lasers (PDLs) for the treatment of vascular lesions using numerical modeling and to compare results with our clinical experience. In this study we aimed to develop criteria for the choice of more efficient laser exposure mode, investigate more relevant modes of laser irradiation to ensure selective photothermolysis of target vessels, and compare the CVL and PDL efficiency in the course of patients with skin vascular lesions (SVL) treatment. Methods: We performed numerical simulation of the processes of heating a vessel with CVL and PDL to temperatures at which its coagulation could occur. Calculated fluencies were compared with clinical results of laser therapy performed on 1242 patients with skin hemangiomas and vascular malformations (SHVM), including 635 patients treated with CVL and 607 patients treated with PDL. PDL and CVL provided excellent results in 40 and ten days after treatment. The treatment was not painful. Patients did not need anesthesia. Postoperative crusts were greater with PDL than with CVL. Results: Results of computer simulation of a selective vessel heating using PDL and CVL radiation are presented. By results obtained, depth of the location and sizes of vessels that could be selectively heated to more than 75°C are determined. Conclusion: Based on calculated and clinical data, the heating mode for dysplastic vessels using a series of CVL micropulses could be regarded to be safer and more efficient than the mode of a PDL short, powerful pulse.

Review of Biomedical Applications of Contactless Imaging of Neonates Using Infrared Thermography and Beyond

The sick preterm infant monitoring is an intriguing job that medical staff in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) must deal with on a daily basis. As a standards monitoring procedure, preterm infants are monitored via sensors and electrodes that are firmly attached to their fragile and delicate skin and connected to processing monitors. However, an alternative exists in contactless imaging to record such physiological signals (we call it as Physio-Markers), detecting superficial changes and internal structures activities which can be used independently of, or aligned with, conventional monitors. Countless advantages can be gained from unobtrusive monitoring not limited to: (1) quick data generation; (2) decreasing physical and direct contact with skin, which reduces skin breakdown and minimizes risk of infection; and (3) reduction of electrodes and probes connected to clinical monitors and attached to the skin, which allows greater body surface-area for better care. This review is an attempt to build a solid ground for and to provide a clear perspective of the potential clinical applications of technologies inside NICUs that use contactless imaging modalities such as Visible Light Imaging (VLI), Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), and Infrared Thermography (IRT).