Modern

Technologies in Health & Medical Care

GEK1540 Tutorial 2 (Sem. 2, AY2014/15)
Date: 08 11 September 2014
Location: S110301 (Instruction Room)

Learning Objectives:
(1)

(2)

Familiarize with the ideas and concepts used in healing with light :
(a) absorption characteristics
(b) power density of the laser
(c) application: photodynamic therapy
Familiarize with the ideas and concepts used in seeing with sound :
(a) principle of ultrasound
(b) applications of ultrasound

Question 1
Topic: Absorption Characteristics
What absorption characteristics would tissue need to have for an argon ion
laser of wavelength 514.4 nm to be the appropriate choice for laser surgery?
Would the use of this laser be appropriate for
(a) blood,
(b) the lens of the eye, and
(c) the iris of a brown eye.

Question 2
Topic: Features of the Laser Power Density
A Nd:YAG laser operates in pulsed mode, with an energy of 100 milliJoules

(mJ) per pulse, at a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz. The laser light can be
emitted at one of the following wavelengths 1065, 532 or 355 nm.
(a)

If each pulse lasts for 1 nanosecond (ns), and in between pulses no light
is emitted, what is the instantaneous laser power during each pulse?

(b)

What is the average laser power output of this laser?

(c)

Estimate the time taken to deposit 10 J, assuming 100% of the laser light
is absorbed by the tissue (This energy, if deposited in an area of 1
square cm will vapourize tissue to a depth of around 0.05 mm).

Question 3
Topic: Application of Laser Photodynamic Therapy
In photodynamic therapy (PDT), lightactivated chemicals are used to destroy
fastgrowing cells and tissue. Discuss what type of laser light you would use
to treat skin cancer using photodynamic therapy?

Question 4
Topic: Ultrasound
(a)

Calculate the percentage of an ultrasound wave that is reflected from a

bone / muscle interface.

(b)

Why is it difficult measuring structures in the brain using ultrasound?

CTKNSYAY1415