title: Laser transmission through transparent membranes used in cutaneous laser treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some clinicians perform cutaneous laser treatments through transparent membranes to protect themselves and the surroundings from contamination by ejected tissue particles. Transmissibility of these membranes influences the tissue irradiance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We compared the optical transmissibility of 8 membranes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In part 1, a Schwartz Electro-Optics Q-switched alexandrite laser (wavelength of 720-800 nm, beam diameter of 3 mm) was directed through 8 membranes. A Molectron JD 2000 Joulemeter Ratiometer obtained measurements of percent loss of laser energy (for calculation of percent transmission) through each. To evaluate other wavelengths used in skin treatment, an SLM Aminco UV-VIS model 2000 spectrophotometer measured variance of transmission over a spectral region from 350 to 900 nm in 4 of the membranes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The samples listed in order of increasing amounts of light energy lost across the membrane as compared with control (direct irradiation) were as follows: (1) Handi Wrap plastic wrap: 7% loss, 93% transmission; (2) glass slide: 8% loss; (3) Bioclusive transparent dressing: 11% loss; (4) Tegaderm transparent dressing: 26% loss; (5) Vigilon dressing without plastic backing: 34% loss; (6) Vigilon dressing with one layer of plastic backing: 37% loss; (7) Acuderm dressing: 41% loss; and (8) OpSite IV: 48% loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transmissibility of the interposed membranes must be considered when determining the dosimetry of light energy required by the target tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Diven
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lockhart
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial