Investigation of selective photoablation of contaminated traumatic wound surfaces using portable diode laser energy has potential application for wound treatment at the Aid station/EMT level and potentially extends beyond to more extensive therapy in hospital emergency rooms. Animal wound models (rabbit, dog, pig) will be used to validate conceptual indications and preliminary evidence that quantitative bacterial numbers can be significantly reduced from a contaminated level to that of a clean wound. This can be accomplished by application of 5 watts of non-contact, continuous diode laser energy (805NM) targeted to tissue selectively stained with a chromophore, indocyanine green (ICG). Portable diode lasers can also be used for control of hemorrhage from both venous and arterial sources. In the contact mode, power density is adequate for selective coagulation of smaller vascular structures in traumatic wounds and can be potentially used for incisional purposes. Wound hemostasis, energy absorption characteristics, and other laser-tissue interaction criteria will be evaluated using cadaveric tissue and animal models. Ignition products of chromophore and local anesthetic components will also be investigated using biochemical methodology. In addition, manufacturing and engineering technologies will be utilized to perfect portable diode laser instrumentation and delivery systems for potential commercial application.
Keywords: Diode Laser, Selective Photothermalysis, Wound Treatment, Laser Surgery
