Optics, Photonics & Laser

Lasers in Medicine

Laser medicine consists in the use of lasers in medical diagnosis, treatments, or therapies, such as laser photodynamic therapy, photo rejuvenation, and laser surgery. While the history of laser begins in 1951, the first medical application is reported by Goldman in 1962. In cardiovascular surgery McGuff first used a Ruby-Laser in 1963 for the experimental ablation of atherosclerotic plaques. After a long time of investigations and new developments in laser technology first clinical applications were performed by Choy and Ginsburg in 1983. Since that time the effectiveness of laser angioplasty in coronary and peripheral vessel is investigated in several clinical trials and first results are encouraging, so that laser is about to find its place in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases too.