Role of molecular photodissociation in ultrafast laser surgery

Jenny Wang; Georg Schuele; Phil Huie; Daniel V. Palanker

doi:10.1117/12.2077004

5 March 2015 Role of molecular photodissociation in ultrafast laser surgery

Jenny Wang, Georg Schuele, Phil Huie, Daniel V. Palanker

Proceedings Volume 9321, Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXVI; 932107 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077004
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2015, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Transparent ocular tissues such as cornea and crystalline lens can be precisely ablated or dissected using ultrafast ultraviolet, visible, and infrared lasers. In refractive or cataract surgery, cutting of the cornea, lens, and lens capsule is typically produced by dielectric breakdown in the focus of a short-pulse laser which results in explosive vaporization of the interstitial water and mechanically ruptures the surrounding tissue. Here, we report that tissue can also be disrupted below the threshold of bubble appearance using 400 nm femtosecond pulses with minimal mechanical damage. Using gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, we assessed photodissociation of proteins and polypeptides by 400 nm femtosecond pulses both below and above the cavitation bubble threshold. Negligible protein dissociation was observed with 800 nm femtosecond lasers even above the threshold of dielectric breakdown. Scanning electron microscopy of the cut edges in porcine lens capsule demonstrated that plasma-mediated cutting results in the formation of grooves. Below the cavitation bubble threshold, precise cutting could still be produced with 400 nm femtosecond pulses, possibly due to molecular photodissociation of the tissue structural proteins.

Citation Download Citation

Jenny Wang, Georg Schuele, Phil Huie, and Daniel V. Palanker "Role of molecular photodissociation in ultrafast laser surgery", Proc. SPIE 9321, Optical Interactions with Tissue and Cells XXVI, 932107 (5 March 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2077004

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available