In der Optoelektronik werden neue Forschungsergebnisse in rasantem Tempo in technische Entwicklungen und Anwendungen umgesetzt. Die seit 1973 alle zwei Jahre veranstaltete Kongre€messe Laser Opto-Elektronik ermöglicht einen Überblick über den aktuellen Stand. Das Programm von Laser 87 Opto-Elektronik umfa€te - wie seine Vorgänger - wieder ein breites Spektrum der Bereiche Technik und Medizin. In Basis-Seminaren wurden physikalische Grundlagen erläutert, Plenarvorträge vermittelten eine Übersicht über wichtige Fachgebiete, in Einzelvorträgen wurden neue Ergebnisse mitgeteilt. Der vorliegende Band "Laser/Optoelektronik in der Medizin 1987" enthält die Vorträge des 7. Internationalen Kongresses mit medizinischen Themenschwerpunkten.

The The use use of of lasers lasers in in medicine medicine has has opened opened up up entirely entirely new new fields fields of of therapy therapy and and diagnosis. diagnosis. However, However, progess progess in in the the technical technical application application of of lasers, lasers, which which often often results results in in the the sudden sudden eclipse eclipse of of previous previous techniques, techniques, far far outpaces outpaces that that in in medicine medicine itself. itself. Know-how Know-how can can be be acquired acquired only only through through exacting exacting investigations investigations by by researchers researchers and and clinicians, clinicians, and and close close collaboration collaboration between between them them is is necessary necessary if if we we are are to to understand understand the the tremendously tremendously com plicated plicated biosystem biosystem that that is is the the "human "human being". being". With With the the desirability desirability of of rapid rapid exchange exchange and and discussion discussion of of ideas ideas and and findings findings in in mind, mind, the the MUnchener MUnchener Messe- und und Ausstellungs-GmbH Ausstellungs-GmbH organizes organizes biennially biennially the the congress congress LASER LASER OPTOELECTRONICS, OPTOELECTRONICS, which which has has become become a a forum forum for for leading leading experts experts in in laser laser medicine. medicine.

This book is based on a course given by the author to third and fourth year undergraduate students from physics, engineering physics and electrical engineering. The purpose is to introduce and explain some of the fundamental principles underlying laser beam control in optoelectronics, especially those in relation to optical anisotropy which is at the heart of many optical devices. The contents of the book are scattered in many sources and there seems to be no single source available at the undergraduate level. That is why the present book is written. The book attempts to give the reader a good background needed for working in a laser, optoelectronic or photonic laboratory so that the use of equipment and the control of laser beams can be mastered without difficulty.

The use of lasers in medical practice has dramatically increased over the years. Lasers and modern optics have largely been unexplored in medical science. This contributed work is both optimistic and cautionary in its expert evaluation of the state-of-the-art medical use of laser technology. The use of lasers to improve upon conventional practice i

The use oflasers has entered almost every facet of medicine and biology. Therefore, it is to be expected that the reviews contained in this vol urne will reflect this diversity. As dinical acceptance has grown with various diagnostic and therapeutic applications, so has the need for a more thorough understanding of the theoretical background for each. This is especially true where a correlation is to be made between the theoretical background and the experimental data. It is only in this way that we can attain the optimal form of any therapy. The basic coupling ofenergy into biological tissue and its conversion into heat is characterized by many parameters. One ofthe most important is pulse duration. The review by Bimgruber in Chapter 6 shows how our knowledge ofthis parameter has been extended.The need for a more basic understanding of the interaction of electromagnetic energy with various kinds of materials has led to investigations on the nature of plasmas their stability and instability,and how theyexist. Docchio reviews the factors that cause them to occur at a specific locale and then to move away from that site. The availabilityofmany types ofoptical fibers has extended our ability to deliver laser energy from various types oflasers into almost anyselected location. This is particularly useful in medicine, where less invasive ap proaches to surgery and diagnosis are always helpful. However, as Rol and his colleagues explain, the power-handling capabilities ofoptical fibers limit many applications, particularly for short-duration, high-peak-power laser pulses.

This handbook is intended for the advanced specialist and for the practitioner interested in the application of lasers in medicine. It provides summaries of all available medical laser systems and their clinical use. The first part introduces basic laser physics, including laser-tissue interactions as well as technical equipment and particular techniques developed for medical use in connection with laser. The second part of the text covers all areas of laser application in medicine and has been written by senior specialists from different countries. The book includes about 300 line drawings, more than 100 high quality photographs, an extensive subject and author register, and an exhaustive list of references.

Since the introduction of balloon angioplasty for the relief of coronary artery stenoses and of anginal symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease by Andreas Griintzig in 1977, the field of interventional technology and treatment strategies has grown enormously. For the reduction of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenoses balloon angioplasty is the standard and reference method with a high primary success and low complication rate. Because of the relatively high recurrence rates of 30-40% of balloon angioplasty a whole family of different angioplasty techniques has been developed since then. Among those are atherectomy devices, laser angioplasty, radiofrequency angioplasty, high and low speed rotational angioplasty and stenting of stenosed vessels. Balloon angioplasty has been extended to aortic and mitral valve stenoses, and supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias can now be treated by catherter ablation techniques. In 1989 an International Symposium on standard and newer inter ventional techniques has been held at the University of Ulm. This volume contains the essential parts and presentations of the international faculty of experts in the field. In four chapters the principles, advantages, pitfalls and future developments of coronary angiopiasty, angioplasty of peripheral arteries, balloon valvuloplasty and of catheter ablation of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias are described in detail. We hope that this 'State-of-the-Art' representation will be of great value for both the non expert reader and the active researcher in the fields addressed within the book. V. Hombach, M. Kochs and A. J. Camm ix List of contributors U. U.

A careful review of the literature covering various aspects of applications of lasers in science and technology reveals that lasers are being applied very widely throughout the entire gamut of physical medicine. After surveying the current developments taking place in the field of medical applications of lasers, it was considered appropriate to bring together these efforts of international research scientists and experts into one volume. It is with this aim that the editors have prepared this volume which brings current research and recent developments to the attention of a wide spectrum of readership associated with hospitals, medical institutions and universities world wide, including also the medical instrument industry. Both teachers and students in the medical faculties will especially find this compendium quite useful. This book is comprised of eleven chapters. All of the important medical applications of lasers are featured. The editors have made every effort that individual chapters are self-contained and written by experts. Emphasis has been placed on straight and simple presentation of the subject matter so that even the new entrants into the field will find the book of value.