title: Thermal imaging of the temporal bone in CO2 laser surgery: an experimental model.
abstract: The unique properties of lasers create an enormous potential for specific treatment of chronic ear disease. Despite the widespread acceptance and use of the laser, however, a complete understanding of the time- and space-dependent temperature distribution in otic capsule bone immediately after pulsed laser exposure has not been elucidated. Using a liquid nitrogen-cooled mercury-cadmium telluride infrared detector, the temperature distribution in human cadaveric otic capsule bone was determined immediately after pulsed (100 msec) carbon dioxide laser exposure (0.3 to 4.0 W; 200 microm spot diameter). The time- and space-dependent temperature increases and thermal diffusion were determined as a function of the laser power density and were found to vary linearly.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 92715, USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Hashisaki
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Berns
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neev
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D013817:Thermography
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide