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Thanks to great science fiction storytellers like Asimov and Roddenberry, our modern world is now chock full of gadgets and gizmos that a century ago, we couldn’t possibly fathom. Who would have thought that the high-tech gadgets that we read about in comic books as a kid would become available for the average consumer within just a few years? Science fiction has not only provided us entertainment, but also the inspiration to create the high-tech world that we live in. Lasers, for example, which were often used as a weapon in sci-fi stories, have actually proven to be very useful in the medical field. Here are a few examples of how lasers are being used in modern medicine.

Low Level/Cold Lasers

Although the name is a bit misleading, cold lasers do not actually freeze tissue, much to the chagrin of Batman’s adversary, Mr. Freeze. They are so named for operating at a lower frequency, and therefore lower energy level than other lasers, generally around 632 nm. These types of low level lasers have been used for a variety of medical purposes, including hair restoration, burn healing, tinnitus, pain and inflammation relief, and body contouring. They have even been used in liposuction and breast augmentation procedures.
These lasers have been also used in the effort to hasten the healing process of wounds and stimulate the production of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), a source of energy within cells that is used in metabolism. ATP levels can alter cellular metabolism, as the increased levels of ATP energy can increase the rate of DNA synthesis. This is particularly helpful with tissue regeneration, which is why it is often used in the treatment of pain and inflammation. It was also shown in the 1980s that laser radiation altered the firing patterns of nerves, making it an application for pain therapy.

Carbon Dioxide Laser

Carbon Dioxide lasers are some of the most useful, as they are not only quite efficient, but they also provide the highest-power for a continuous wave laser out there. Although there are several other gas lasers, like Helium, Hydrogen and Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide can be used not only in industrial applications, but since water absorbs this frequency well, it makes sense to use it on tissue, which is mostly composed of water. It can be used for cutting and welding, but it is also used as a surgical laser and for skin resurfacing and dermabrasion.

Argon Laser

Another gas which is used in medical laser therapy is Argon, an inert noble gas which even more common than Carbon Dioxide. Argon lasers emit light at several wavelengths which can be found throughout the visible and ultraviolet spectrum. The various uses of Argon lasers range from the treatment of retinopathy to use in confocal microscopy and for lithography.

Neodymium-YAG Laser

Often abbreviated Nd:YAG, the Neodymium-YAG laser is used in ophthalmic, oncologic and cosmetic procdures. Nd:YAG lasers typically emit light at an infrared wavelength of 1064 nm. In ophthalmology, they can be used to correct posterior capsular opacification, a complication of cataract surgery, whereas the lower wavelength lasers (532 nm) can be used for pan-retinal photocoagulation for the treatment of retinopathy. Nd:YAG lasers have also been used in the removal process of some skin cancers, hair removal and vascular anomalies like spider and varicose veins. It is also used in soft tissue surgeries for dentistry in addition to being used for the manufacturing of metals and plastics.

About the Author

Amanda is a writer and blogger (and self-proclaimed geek) who lives in San Diego, CA. For more information about lasers in the medical field, check out www.erchonia.com.