Laser safety aspects for medical applications

Shimon Gabay

doi:10.1117/12.544857

12 December 2003 Laser safety aspects for medical applications

Shimon Gabay

Proceedings Volume 5287, Laser Florence 2002: A Window on the Laser Medicine World; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.544857
Event: Laser Florence 2002: A Window on the Laser Medicine World, 2002, Florence, Italy

Abstract

Most applications of lasers in medicine are based on the producing of a controlled thermal damage into a preferably tissue location. Laser safety deals with non controlled damage (thermal or other) that could be randomly produced into a non preferable tissue locations. This kind of damage is not allowed and the laser safety material is designed to provide the user with a knowledge and with sufficient safety instructions and means to prevent such damage. Following the laser safety instructions is especially important for the medical applications because in these applications the laser beam is brought in a close proximity to the patient's body and non-desired damage can be easily produced. Most medical lasers are classified as Class 4 laser products, the highest hazard class. Direct laser beam of class 4 is capable to produce skin burns and to ignite flammable materials, and even its scattered beam may produce severe eye damage. The paper presents the nature of the skin and eye damage for different spectral range, and the state of the art rules in preventing such damage. The safety means that should be implemented in, and around, the laser clinique and in the laser surgery room will also be highlighted.

Citation Download Citation

Shimon Gabay "Laser safety aspects for medical applications", Proc. SPIE 5287, Laser Florence 2002: A Window on the Laser Medicine World, (12 December 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.544857

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