Photonics News 37
Photonics News Magazine - Issue 37
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Editorial
PN #37
Editorial
LASER COMPONENTS GmbH (LCG) is celebrating 30 years of laser optics production. When LCG entered the laser market by producing high damage thresholds laser optics, lasers were rapidly penetrating medical use in many surgical specialties.
The First Medical Laser. A laser was first used in medicine in 1961: At the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan, Dr. Charles J. Campbell, et al., used a ruby laser to destroy a tumor on a patient’s retina [1].
The ruby laser was also used by Dr. Leon Goldman, who published studies on the effect of laser beams on the skin in 1963 [2] and used the beam to remove tattoos. He began his research in 1960 and is considered the “Father of Laser Medicine in the United States“.
Medical Lasers Today. Modern laser applications are numerous with fantastic capabilities. For example, optogenetics involves the use of light to control cells in living tissue, typically neurons, with the potential to treat disorders like addiction, Parkinson’s disease, depression and cancer. Or to name a few others: laser-assisted drug delivery through skin, fiber lasers at various wavelengths for femtosecond micromachining of hard and soft tissues, laser spectroscopic techniques like fluorescence or Raman for cancer detection and imaging. But that’s not all. Lasers for bio stimulation, triggering growth and pain control are moving to clinical proof, paving the way for more innovations.
Lasers have changed over the years to meet physician and patient treatment demands. In this edition of Photonics News, three industry experts share their experience on material processing of medical components, the effect of laser radiation on tissue, eye surgery and laser light in tattoo removal.
And don’t miss our product release overview for SPIE Photonics West, at the end. The leading event on photonics promises to become the highlight of the year with the release of QuickSwitch® Pulsed Laser Diodes having pulse duration of 2.5ns, 1.41 higher D* for pyroelectric detectors, advances in extended InGaAs detectors, custom patterned polarizers, improved 808nm fiber-coupled diode lasers, specialized laser diode drivers, extended portfolio of FLEXPOINT® laser modules, and many more.
If you wish to make an appointment at the show,
contact us at info@laser-components.com
Hope to see you on one of our shows
Gary Hayes
CEO/General Manager
[1] Lasers in Ophthalmology: Basic, Diagnostic, and Surgical Aspects; 2003, Kugler Publications, S. 115
[2] Goldman L, Blaney DJ, Kindel DJ, et al (1963) Effect of the laser beam on the skin: Preliminary report. J Invest Dermatol 40:121-122
Medical Technologies
Beyond Borders
The first laser dates back to 1960. Almost sixty years later, it has become a tool used in many areas. The new light sources were not originally developed for medical technology. Medical scientists were much more interested in their radiation properties and then began researching possible application fields in medicine. On the one hand, lasers make surgical interventions possible that would never have been possible before; on the other hand, they are used in the production of medical products.
New Products
Beyond Borders
LASER COMPONENTS USA - Your competent partner for optical and optoelectronic components in the United States.
Welcome to LASER COMPONENTS USA, Inc., your expert for photonics components. Each product in our wide range of detectors, laser diodes, laser modules, optics, and more is worth every Dollar ($/USD). Our customized solutions cover all conceivable areas of application: from sensor technology to medical technology. You can reach us here:
116 South River Road
Building C
Bedford, NH 03110
USA
Phone: +1 603 821 7040
Email: info(at)
