Radiometric surface temperature measurements during dye-assisted laser skin closure: In vitro and in vivo results
✍ Scribed by Fried, Nathaniel M.; Choi, Bernard; Welch, Ashley J.; Walsh, Joseph T.
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 268 KB
- Volume
- 25
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0196-8092
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Background and Objective:
A thermal camera was used to measure surface temperatures during laser skin welding to provide feedback for optimization of the laser parameters. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Two-centimeter-long, fullthickness incisions were made in guinea pig skin in vitro and in vivo. India ink was applied to the incision edges, which were then mechanically apposed. Continuous-wave, 1.06-m Nd:YAG laser radiation was scanned over the incisions, producing an effective pulse duration of ∼100 msec. Cooling durations between scans of 1.6, 4.0, and 8.0 sec were studied in vitro. A 5-mmdiameter laser spot was used with the power kept constant at 10 W. Thermal images were obtained at 30 frames per second with a thermal camera detecting 3-5 m radiation. Surface temperatures were recorded at 0, 1, and 6 mm from the center line of the incision. Results/Conclusions: Cooling durations of 1.6 and 4.0 seconds in vitro resulted in temperatures at the weld site that remained above ∼65°C for prolonged periods of time. Cooling durations of 8.0 seconds were sufficient both in vitro and in vivo to prevent a significant rise in baseline temperatures at the weld site over time.