title: Fundamentals of laser science.
abstract: The importance of laser application in minimal invasive neurosurgery is emphasized. Physical fundamentals of laser energy are described, and the physics of laser tissue interactions are discussed. Different surgical laser types as the carbon dioxide laser, the argon laser, and the Nd:YAG laser as well as the application mode (contact versus non-contact mode) are compared according application. The main indication for the use of laser in minimal invasive neurosurgery is cutting, coagulation, vaporization, and interstitial irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Laser Technologies, Darmstadt, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Goebel
mesh_terms: D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*