Laser-Tissue Interactions : Fundamentals and Applications

Joseph T. Walsh

This excellent text describes the transport of light in tissue, the basic mechanisms by which light interacts with tissue, and the numerous applications of laser light in medicine. The goal is to offer an interdisciplinary approach to the basics of laser-tissue interactions. Appropriately, the book emphasizes a description of the physical background of interaction mechanisms between light and biologic tissue. The chapter on clinical applications is current. A chapter on safety is included. The objectives set forth by the author are key to the understanding of laser research and medical applications. The objectives are met by the author. The book is written for scientists, engineers, physicians, and graduate students. The level of presentation is appropriate for an introduction to the field. There is sufficient detail for understanding of the basic interactions. The illustrations are sufficient and of good quality. The references are current; the table of contents and index are complete. In the past two years, three other books that cover similar material have been written; but one is a more detailed tome. This book more directly addresses photophysical interactions and compares favorably with the other two introductory texts. The presentation of the basic interactions is excellent, and the coverage of medical applications gives the reader a very good sense of appropriate and current use of lasers in medicine. The book is written in a style that is accessible to the intended audience. With the surge in understanding of laser-tissue interactions during the past decade, the timing of this book is appropriate. The book should be seriously considered by those graduate/medicalstudents entering the field; by libraries whose residents, medical students, or graduate students will be introduced to the field; and by professors who teach introductory classes in this field.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Joseph T. Walsh, Jr., PhD (Northwestern University)
Description: This excellent text describes the transport of light in tissue, the basic mechanisms by which light interacts with tissue, and the numerous applications of laser light in medicine.
Purpose: The goal is to offer an interdisciplinary approach to the basics of laser-tissue interactions. Appropriately, the book emphasizes a description of the physical background of interaction mechanisms between light and biologic tissue. The chapter on clinical applications is current. A chapter on safety is included. The objectives set forth by the author are key to the understanding of laser research and medical applications. The objectives are met by the author.
Audience: The book is written for scientists, engineers, physicians, and graduate students. The level of presentation is appropriate for an introduction to the field. There is sufficient detail for understanding of the basic interactions.
Features: The illustrations are sufficient and of good quality. The references are current; the table of contents and index are complete. In the past two years, three other books that cover similar material have been written; but one is a more detailed tome. This book more directly addresses photophysical interactions and compares favorably with the other two introductory texts. The presentation of the basic interactions is excellent, and the coverage of medical applications gives the reader a very good sense of appropriate and current use of lasers in medicine. The book is written in a style that is accessible to the intended audience.
Assessment: With the surge in understanding of laser-tissue interactions during the past decade, the timing of this book is appropriate. The book should be seriously considered by those graduate/medical students entering the field; by libraries whose residents, medical students, or graduate students will be introduced to the field; and by professors who teach introductory classes in this field.

5 Stars! from Doody