Applied+Laser+Technology


 * Term: Applied Laser Technology**

Lasers are simply a device that controls the way energized atoms release photons(light energy). All this means is that a laser can produce incredibly powerful light beams that are capable of various intensities. These intensities determine what you can use a laser for. Lasers produce photons in two ways: pulses and direct beams.
 * Description:**

There are many different types of lasers. The laser medium can be a solid, gas, liquid or semiconductor. Lasers are commonly designated by the type of lasing material employed:


 * Solid-state lasers** have lasing material distributed in a solid matrix (such as the ruby or neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet "Yag" lasers). The neodymium-Yag laser emits infrared light at 1,064 nanometers (nm). A nanometer is 1x10-9 meters.


 * Gas lasers** have a primary output of visible red light. CO2 lasers emit energy in the far-infrared, and are used for cutting hard materials.


 * Excimer lasers** use reactive gases, such as chlorine and fluorine, mixed with inert gases such as argon, krypton or xenon. When electrically stimulated, a pseudo molecule (dimer) is produced. When lased, the dimer produces light in the ultraviolet range.


 * Dye lasers** use complex organic dyes, such as rhodamine 6G, in liquid solution or suspension as lasing media. They are tunable over a broad range of wavelengths.


 * Semiconductor lasers**, sometimes called diode lasers, are not solid-state lasers. These electronic devices are generally very small and use low power. They may be built into larger arrays, such as the writing source in some laser printers and CD players.


 * Low level laser therapy** is a medical and veterinary treatment that uses low level lasers or light emitting diodes to alter cellular function.

**Graphics:**



**Applications:** Lasers are used in several different applications in health care. Surgeons use lasers to remove deceased body tissue, with little damage to surrounding area. In addition lasers seal off blood vessels severed during the surgery, thus reducing the amount of bleeding. Laser eye surgery is becoming common for correcting near sightedness as well as for reattaching retinas. Recently, there has been an increase in a new surgery that helps bring relief to those with sleep apnea and those with trouble breathing.

Warts, tumors, and other types of growths are often treated with lasers by either pulse or direct cutting. A laser has the power to not only cut the skin but cauterize the wound. This is extremely useful in delicate operations like brain tumor surgery. Commonly used lasers in medicine are Excimer, several different harmonics of YAG lasers as well as Carbon Dioxide lasers.


 * Cold Laser Treatment:** Also known as low level laser therapy, cold laser treatment is used on both humans and animals in treating joint and nerve damage. While results of cold laser therapy are still debated upon, in small test groups it has been found effective in reducing the pain related to arthritis, neck pain, tendinitis, and chronic joint disorders.

Tattoo removal using Applied Laser Technology is the ONLY way of removing tattoos without ANY scarring. Q-switched lasers have been the type of laser used to remove tattoos and this methodhas been used for about ten years. This is possible because the lasers use ultra-short pulses of light that can shatter the ink within a tattoo. One of the leaders in this sort of technology is the company of Astanza.
 * Cosmetics Surgeries:** From removing tattoos, stretch marks, sunspots, birthmarks and even laser hair removal.
 * The Science Behind the Results**

//The production of ultra-short (nanosecond) pulses of the precise wavelengths of light energy best designed to shatter tattoo ink is the hallmark of Astanza’s technology. No other manufacturer has made the same commitment to this precise field of lasers, and practitioners worldwide demand the power and reliability of Astanza’s superior Q-switched lasers.//

Read More At: []

**Videos:** [] (lasic eye surgery procedure) [] (cold laser therapy treatment on animals) [] (cold laser therapy demonstration)

**Web Resources:** http://www.elvex.com/facts13.htm http://www.howstuffworks.com/laser.htm http://wf2dnvr13.webfeat.org/sYbqK178/url=http://www.accessmedicine.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/content.aspx?aID=2824091&searchStr=laser+wart+removal **Related Terminology:** Remote Surgery **Citations/References:** http://www.elvex.com/facts13.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/laser7.htm