Color Qualities of Tissues in Relation to Laser Radiation

Abstract

With the lasers now available, color is an important property for the absorption of the incident laser beam. Absorption means destruction of tissue by the laser. This does occur to some extent even in so-called transparent tissues which may show some reaction to the absorptive laser beam. The mechanism here is thought to be two-photon absorption. The incident beam of the laser striking tissue may be reflected, absorbed or transmitted. The darker the tissue, the more absorption and the less reflection and transmission. Reflection of the laser beam may produce reactions on both patient and personnel about the impact. Transmission may occur as the same frequency or if second or other harmonics are produced in tissue, as different frequencies. In addition, as indicated previously, absorption may produce not only a thermal reaction but may give rise to such mechanical phenomena as the pressure waves, sonic waves and finally what is vagualy calles “electromagnetic changes”.