Lasers: Medical Applications

Catalog description

Lasers have become increasingly utilized in many disciplines. This course will provide answers to questions such as: Why lasers? How do lasers work? How does laser light interact with living tissues and other materials? The course will demonstrate the basic mechanisms of light propagation in tissues and all laser tissue interactions (photo-chemical, photo-thermal, photo-ablation, and photo-mechanical interactions). The influence of laser wavelengths and pulse durations on the interaction process will be studied. In addition, diagnostic and therapeutic laser applications will be discussed. Selected laser medical applications in ophthalmology, urology, gynecology, and dentistry will be demonstrated throughout this course. Other interesting applications of lasers in data transmission, modulation, astronomy, and weaponry will also be illustrated.