Learn about the many biological and medical applications of ultrashort laser pulses. The authors highlight and explain how the briefness of these laser pulses permits the tracing of even the fastest processes in photo-active bio-systems. They also present a variety of applications that rely on the high peak intensity of ultrashort laser pulses. Easy-to-follow examples cover non-linear imaging techniques, optical tomography, and laser surgery.

This book is a review of past and current studies and future plans of the Laser Laboratory in Cincinnati and some of the contributions of laser research groups in other medical centers. Special thanks are due to the Directing Physicist of the Laser Labora tory, R. James Rockwell. Without his advice, constant supervision and corrections, this enthusiastic investigator would continue to upset even many more people than he has done already. The excuse, of course, is to stimulate much needed interest and controlled research and development of the laser for biology and medicine. The Associate Research Physicist, Ralph Schooley, has worked with many phases of laser research but especially in Q spoiling, Raman spectroscopy, and the almost alchemy of holography. Holography, as of now, provides many opportunities for Gumperson's Law, "If anything can go wrong, it will. " Sincere appreciation is expressed to the Surgeons in the Laser Labora tory, who have supplied clinical and investigative surgical supervision often under great difficulties, Dr. V. E. Siler and Dr. Bruce Henderson. We are grateful for help from the Directing Biologist of the Laser Labo ratory, Edmond Ritter, the Director of Laser Neurosurgery, Dr. Thomas Brown and the Professor of Neurosurgery, Dr. Robert McLaurin, for important and basic work in laser neurosurgery. Special thanks are given to Robert Meyer, who has given most of the treatments in careful and skillful fashion, and his associate, Robert Otten.

Biophotonics for Medical Applications presents information on the interface between laser optics and cell biology/medicine. The book discusses the development and application of photonic techniques that aid the diagnosis and therapeutics of biological tissues in both healthy and diseased states. Chapters cover the fundamental technologies used in biophotonics and a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. - Presents information on the interface between laser optics and cell biology/medicine - Discusses the development and application of photonic techniques which aid the diagnosis and therapeutics of biological tissues in both healthy and diseased states - Presents the fundamental technologies used in biophotonics and a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic applications

There are probably few people who do not dream of the good old times, when do ing science often meant fascination, excitement, even adventure. In our time, do ing science involves often technology and, perhaps, even business. But there are still niches where curiosity and fascination have their place. The subject of this book, technological as its title may sound, is one of the fortunate examples. It will report on lasers generating the coldest places in the Universe, and on table top laser microtools which can produce a heat "inferno" as it prevails in the interior of the Sun, or simulate, for specific plant cells, microgravity of the space around our plan et Earth. There will be some real surprises for the reader. The applications range from basic studies of the driving forces of cell division (and thus life) via genetic modification of cells (for example, for plant breeding) to medical applications such as blood cell analysis and finally in vitro fertilization. What are these instruments: laser microbeams and optical tweezers? Both are lasers coupled with a fluorescence microscope. The laser microbeam uses a pulsed ultraviolet laser. Light is focused, as well as possible, in space and time, in order to obtain extremely high light intensities - high enough to generate, for a very short instant, extremely hot spots which can be used to cut, fuse or perforate biological material.

The increasing use of fiber optics in the field of medicine has created a need for an interdisciplinary perspective of the technology and methods for physicians as well as engineers and biophysicists. This book presents a comprehensive examination of lasers and optical fibers in an hierarchical, three-tier system. Each chapter is divided into three basic sections: the Fundamentals section provides an overview of basic concepts and background; the Principles section offers an in-depth engineering approach; and the Advances section features specific information on systems and biophysical parameters. All those interested in the fields of lasers and fiber optics will find this book fascinating and instructive reading.

Laser Dentistry: Current Clinical Applications by the World Federation for Laser Dentistry (WFLD) is a comprehensive guide the state of the art, principles and practices of laser dentistry. This collection of articles were compiled by Professor Aldo Brugnera Junior DDS, MS, PhD and Professor Samir Namour, DDS, MS, PhD, is written for all those interested in the clinical use of laser technology related to dentistry, research, development and biology, and medicine and surgery. Topics include: Laser, history and physics; Laser periodontics; Laser applications in implantology; Laser in oral soft tissue surgery; The laser management of oral leukoplakias; Treatment of bone necrosis caused by biphosphonates, Treatment of vascular malformations; The role of lasers in caries prevention; Dentinal adhesion and cavity preparation; The power of the bubble Erbium laser generated cavitation; Pre-emptive dental anaesthesia by Nd:YAG photobiomodulation; Non-invasive diagnostic methods using lasers; Clinical use of laser/LED phototherapies; Laser photobiomodulation (PBM) with low level laser therapy (LLLT) in esthetic dentistry; Laser phototherapy & oral mucositis; Lasers in dentin dehypersensitivity; Photobiomodulation therapy and dentoalveolar derived mesenchymal stem cells; Dental bleaching without gel; Hard tissue modification, cavity preparation and caries removal using erbium lasers; Laser safety; Optical fluorescence; World Federation for Laser Dentistry (WFLD) progress and history.

A careful review of the literature covering various aspects of applications of lasers in science and technology reveals that lasers are being applied very widely throughout the entire gamut of physical medicine. After surveying the current developments taking place in the field of medical applications of lasers, it was considered appropriate to bring together these efforts of international research scientists and experts into one volume. It is with this aim that the editors have prepared this volume which brings current research and recent developments to the attention of a wide spectrum of readership associated with hospitals, medical institutions and universities world wide, including also the medical instrument industry. Both teachers and students in the medical faculties will especially find this compendium quite useful. This book is comprised of eleven chapters. All of the important medical applications of lasers are featured. The editors have made every effort that individual chapters are self-contained and written by experts. Emphasis has been placed on straight and simple presentation of the subject matter so that even the new entrants into the field will find the book of value.