MODEL SIMULATION OF BIOLOGICAL DAMAGE IN TISSUE EXPOSED TO CO2-LASER IRRADIATION

A model that predicts temperature fields in CO2-laser-irradiated tissue is applied in search of the optimal irradiation conditions for the general purpose of soft tissue removal. In a series of single pulse simulations and pulse train simulations the effect of parameters such as pulse durations, irradiance during a pulse, and the repetition rate of pulses are studied. The simulations are carried out for two basic beam profiles: Gaussian and rectangular. As a result, a range of preferred values for each parameter is obtained. The rectangular profile exhibits a far better behavior in the sense that lateral thermal damage is highly reduced compared to the Gaussian profile. Ablation thresholds and efficiencies are calculated for both profiles as a by-product. Results are in good agreement with other reported studies.