CO₂ Laser Irradiation of Tissue Through Liquids Using a Cavitation Effect

The ability to transmit trains of pulsed laser radiation through opaque liquids via a cavitation effect is demonstrated. We were able to cut lucite arid perspex immersed in such liquids. A simplified model describing the formation of stationary cavities is presented and a series of experiments confirming this model are described. Furthermore it is shown that the thermal heating of the liquid surrounding these cavities may be minimized by using pulses of a very short duration. This effect facilitates material cutting and laser surgical operation under blood or water by CO₂ or excimer lasers.