D.Sc. in Chemistry, Head of the Labora tory, Siberian Physical-Technical Insti tute of Tomsk State University

Abstract

The article considers and analyzes an important stage in the development of laser systems for metal vapor from the point of view of biomedical applications. Since the advent of the first generation of domestic medical facilities with pulsed lasers on metal vapors, in particular, copper vapors (LSM), which were created in the FSUE “Research and Production Enterprise ‘Istok’”, not much time has passed. Now similar studies are widely developed and include a variety of uses, for instance, in oncology for treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT), angioplasty of intravascular destruction of atherosclerotic lesions, dermatology and cosmetology for the treatment of facial skin defects, as well as otorhinolaryngology, gynecology, proctology, urology, and others. In that cases, doctors use the Yantar-2Fand Yakhroma-2 installations, developed on the basis of the “Kurs” LPM with radiation wavelengths λ = 510.6 nm and 578 nm and the average radiation power Prad= 5–10 W and tunable in wavelengths in the range of λ = 620–670 nm. Laser radiation is delivered to the affected area of a bio-object using a flexible light-guide cable with a diameter of 400, 600 or 800 μm fiber, which is one of the most convenient medical instruments. A compact and air-cooled medical installation of the new generation “Yakhroma-Med” based on the pulsed LPM “Kulon” with an average radiation power at the output of the light-guide cable Prad= 1–3 W uses in dermatology and cosmetology (together with the Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Today, YakhromaMed is the leader in non-ablative technologies and is optimal for removing vascular, pigmented and unstained skin defects, treating acne and smoothing wrinkles. It is used in more than 100 clinics in Russia and abroad. Moreover, for scientific and practical medicine in the field of oncology, low-intensity laser therapy and surgery, dermatology and cosmetology, etc., a compact air-cooled industrial multifunctional high-intensity medical unit “Kulon-Med” (similar to Yakhroma-Med) based on two pulsed lasers was developed: LM “Kulon” with an average radiation power Prad= 10 W and LVRK with radiation tunable in wavelengths in the range λ = 620–750 nm and radiation power Prad= 1–3 W (together with Ltd. NPP VELIT, Kurchatov Institute and the Hertzen Hermitage Research and Development Institute). The laser radiation is transported using four flexible light-guide cables with a conductive quartz fiber diameter of 400 and 600 μm, which makes it possible to perform a therapeutic and prophylactic procedure simultaneously in several rooms. Medical facilities of this class have been put in many medical institutions. This report on the use of CVL in medicine says only about the developments in theMoscow region.