Laser irradiative tissue probed in situ by collagen 380-nm fluorescence imaging.
OBJECTIVE
There is no ideal method to detect molecular changes in situ of laser-irradiated tissue without removing a section of tissue for histologic examination. A new method is reported to evaluate laser-induced thermal tissue damage in situ by using 380-nm native fluorescence imaging under 340-nm excitation.


METHODS
Native fluorescence imaging was performed on laser irradiated bovine tendon tissue and compared with light illuminated photography and histology with picrosirius red F3BA stain.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that a decrease in collagen fluorescence at 380 nm was observed in laser-induced thermally damaged tissues. The injured region of tissue defined by its fluorescence image coincided with an area defined by photography and histology.
Tang
J
J
Institute for Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Lasers, Departments of Electrical Engineering and Physics, The City College of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA.
Zeng
F
F
Savage
H
H
Ho
P P
PP
Alfano
R R
RR
D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010781:Photography; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*
D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; C009798:C.I. direct red 80