Current and Future Applications of Lasers in Medicine

Abstract

Using Bohr’s theory of optical resonators, Einstein (1917) predicted that atoms could be stimulated to emit light. But it was not until 40 years later that Towns and Schawlow (1958) conceived of the basic principles of operation of the maser (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) that Maiman (1960) was able to construct a device to emit radiation in the visible region of the spectrum. Within one year of the visible laser being developed, the first medical application was reported in ophthalmology for treatment of an eye tumour (Meyer-Schwickerath, 1961). Since this time application of lasers in medicine has progressed rapidly.KeywordsLaser EnergyLaser TreatmentCarbon Dioxide LaserEndometrial AblationLaser AngioplastyThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.