Temperature distribution in tissue during laser irradiation.

During irradiation with an Ar+-and Kr+-laser the temperature rise in living and dead tissue was measured in various depths. The contribution of the blood flow to the heat transport during irradiation was found to be small. The influence of the different depths of penetration and backscattering at the blue-green Ar+-and the red Kr+-radiation was investigated. The measurements compared with theory show reasonable agreement for an one-dimensional model below 100 degrees C. The results are discussed with respect to laser application in medicine.