Physical mechanisms of importance to Laser Thrombolysis

Bubble dynamics plays a key role in many medical procedures including Laser Thrombolysis (L-T), acoustic and laser lithotripsy, interocular laser surgery, photoacoustic drug delivery, and perhaps ultrasonic imaging. We are investigating the effect that interfaces of different materials, especially biological and biomedical materials, have on the dynamics of nearby bubbles. Collapsing bubbles often become nonspherical, resulting in spectacular directed motion with potentially both beneficial and undesirable consequences. This directed motion may explain L-T mass removal and some types of laser-induced tissue damage.