Selective Photothermolysis: Precise Microsurgery by Selective Absorption of Pulsed Radiation

TLDR

Selective absorption of brief optical pulses can selectively damage pigmented structures without precise aiming, owing to inherent optical and thermal properties. The study presents a simple, predictive model for selective photothermolysis. The authors present this model and analyze the resulting hemodynamic, histological, and ultrastructural responses. Selective damage to cutaneous microvessels and melanocyte melanosomes was demonstrated using 577‑nm and 351‑nm pulses.

Abstract

Suitably brief pulses of selectively absorbed optical radiation can cause selective damage to pigmented structures, cells, and organelles in vivo. Precise aiming is unnecessary in this unique form of radiation injury because inherent optical and thermal properties provide target selectivity. A simple, predictive model is presented. Selective damage to cutaneous microvessels and to melanosomes within melanocytes is shown after 577-nanometer (3 × 10 -7 second) and 351-nanometer (2 × 10 -8 second) pulses, respectively. Hemodynamic, histological, and ultrastructural responses are discussed.