title: Selective photothermolysis of lipid-rich tissues: a free electron laser study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In theory, infrared vibrational bands could be used for selective photothermolysis of lipid-rich tissues such as fat, sebaceous glands, or atherosclerotic plaques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Absorption spectra of human fat were measured, identifying promising bands near 1,210 and 1,720 nm. Photothermal excitation of porcine fat and dermis were measured with a 3.5-5 microm thermal camera during exposure to the free electron laser (FEL) at Jefferson National Laboratory. Thermal damage to full-thickness samples exposed at approximately 1,210 nm through a cold contact window, was assessed by nitrobluetetrazolium chloride staining in situ and by light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Photothermal excitation of fat was twice that of dermis, at lipid absorption bands (1,210, 1,720 nm). At 1,210 nm, a subcutaneous fat layer several mm thick was damaged by FEL exposure, without apparent injury to overlying skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selective photothermal targeting of fatty tissues is feasible using infrared lipid absorption bands. Potential clinical applications are suggested by this FEL study.
authors.affiliation: Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. RRAnderson@partners.org
authors.forename: R Rox
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Farinelli
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laubach
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manstein
authors.forename: Anna N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Yaroslavsky
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gubeli
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shinn
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: Gwyn P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Steven V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Dylla
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D020405:Dermis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004583:Electrons; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013552:Swine