Laser and the Labyrinth: Some Preliminary Experiments on Pigeons

Abstract

The inner cars of pigeons have been irradiated by means of a Q-switched ruby laser with an output pulse energy of about 0.3 joule. Atrophy of the epithelium and changes in the bony and membranous labyrinth have been observed. The ability of the laser beam to penetrate thin slices of bone has been tested. The biological effect of the laser beam seems to be mainly thermal, but ultrasonic waves created in the focal spot may contribute.