Investigation of the Dual-Stage Method of Active Er:YLF Laser Drug Delivery Through the Nail and Laser-Induced Transformations of the Drug Extinction Spectrum.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A novel dual-stage method for active laser drug delivery (DSLADD) in the treatment of nail diseases is being presented. This method includes sequentially performed microporation of the nail with submillisecond pulses of Er:YLF laser radiation through a layer of an aqueous solution of drug deposited on the nail surface (Stage 1) and exposure this layer to the same laser radiation to deliver drug under the nail plate (Stage 2). The delivery of methylene blue (MB) as one of the possible drugs in the treatment of nail diseases is investigated. The influence of the thickness of the MB layer, as well as the energy and number of applied laser pulses, on the rate of active laser delivery is discussed. To illustrate the possible effect of delivery on the drug delivered, special attention is paid to the deformation of the extinction spectrum of MB solution after laser irradiation. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diode-pumped Er:YLF laser was used for DSLADD. The process of DSLADD under the nail plate was investigated using digital video microscopy. For different values of the thickness of MB solution layer applied to the nail plate and the energy of laser pulses, the number of laser pulses required to create a single through a microchannel in the nail plate and the number of laser pulses required to deliver the solution to the ventral side of the nail plate after its microporation were registered. The mass and the dose of MB solution penetrated under the nail plate, and the rate of MB solution delivery through a single microchannel was determined. Investigation of the influence of Er:YLF laser radiation parameters on the extinction spectrum of the drug was performed using a fiber spectrometer. The extinction spectra of the 0.001% aqueous solution of MB were recorded before and after exposure to a different number of Er:YLF laser pulses with the energy of 1-4 mJ. RESULTS: It was found that the minimum number of laser pulses required for active Er:YLF laser drug delivery under the nail corresponds to the MB layer thickness of 100 µm and the laser pulse energy of 4 mJ. It is shown that in this case, the rate of active laser delivery of MB solution reaches 0.26 ± 0.03 mg/pulse. The radiation of the Er:YLF laser affects the shape of the extinction spectrum of the aqueous solution of MВ, which is associated with the transition of the dye from the monomeric to dimeric state. Depending on the laser pulse energy, the fraction of a certain conformational state in the aqueous MB solution can decrease or increase, stimulating a possible change in its photodynamic and antiseptic activity. CONCLUSION: For the first time, a novel DSLADD through the nail has been described and investigated in vitro. It was demonstrated that at Er:YLF laser pulse repetition rate of f = 30 Hz, microporation of the nail plate and drug delivery through a single microchannel will be about 1.5 s. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Active Er-laser drug delivery using drug-impregnated gel for treatment of nail diseases.

Active Er-laser drug delivery under the nail plate using a drug-impregnated gel containing liquid methylene blue clusters is demonstrated for the first time. The effect of the agar-agar concentration in the gel and the gel plate thickness on the number of Er:YLF-laser pulses required for formation of a through microhole in the gel and in the nail plate with subsequent active drug delivery is discussed. The influence of the laser pulse energy, the gel plate thickness, and the external pressure applied to the gel on the rate of delivery of methylene blue under the nail plate through a single microhole in it is investigated. It is shown that with a laser pulse energy of 4.0 ± 0.1 mJ, the delivery rate can reach 0.024 ± 0.004 mg/pulse.

Soft tissue cutting efficiency by 980 nm laser with carbon-, erbium-, and titanium-doped optothermal fiber converters.

OBJECTIVES: The use of near-IR diode lasers for contact soft tissue surgery is attended by a risk of severe thermal damage of surrounding tissues due to the low cutting efficiency of these lasers. To increase the cutting efficiency of a near-IR lasers in contact surgery special tips (converters) which transform laser light to heat are used. The present in vivo study evaluated temperature dynamics and soft tissue cutting efficiency of 980 nm diode laser equipped with standard carbon- and novel erbium- and titanium-doped converters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For in vitro treatment on soft tissue (chicken thigh), 980 nm diode laser was used. The radiation was delivered to the tissue by a quartz fiber with a core diameter of 400 ± 5 µm. The carbon-, erbium-, or titanium-doped converters were mounted at the fiber distal end. The converters temperature was measured by IR-sensor integrated into the laser radiation delivery system. The temperature dynamics of each converter during soft tissue treatment was evaluated. The converter was in contact with the soft tissue surface and moved across the surface of soft tissue with a speed of 1, 3, or 6 mm/s. The average power of laser radiation was 0.3, 1.0, or 4.0 W. The collateral thermal damage of treated soft tissues was evaluated using NTBC stain. The width and depth of coagulation and ablation zones of laser wounds was determined. The soft tissue cutting efficiency with different converters was calculated. RESULTS: The cutting efficiency, collateral damage, and converter temperature in contact with soft tissue change depending on the type of converter, the power of laser radiation and the converter movement speed along the tissue surface. Maximal converter temperature (1,980 ± 154 °C), at which a tissue cut takes place, was fixed for Ti-doped converter for laser power of 4.0 W and movement speed of 1 mm/s. Minimal converter temperature (540 ± 30 °C), at which a tissue cut takes place, was fixed for Ti-doped converter for laser power of 1.0 W and movement speed of 6 mm/s. Maximal depth of coagulation (0.72 ± 0.10 mm) was fixed for Ti-doped converter for laser power of 4.0 W and movement speed of 1 mm/s. Minimal depth of coagulation (0.11 ± 0.02 mm) was fixed for C-doped converter for laser power of 0.3 W and movement speed of 3 mm/s. Maximal cutting efficiency (0.57 mm3 /W) was fixed for Er-doped converter for laser power of 1.0 W and movement speed of 1 mm/s. Minimal cutting efficiency (0.02 mm3 /W) was fixed for C-doped converter for laser power of 4.0 W and movement speed of 6 mm/s. CONCLUSION: All three studied types of converters can be used for contact surgery of soft tissues by 980 nm diode laser. Er-doped and Ti-doped converters are more resistant to laser heating then C-doped converter, they dissect soft tissue more effectively. This will also expand the potential of everyday routine clinical procedures, making them safer, faster, and easier. These converters can be used in general surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology, angioplasty, dentistry, neurosurgery, etc. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:185-200, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Multi-beam laser-induced hydrodynamic shock waves used for delivery of microparticles and liquids in skin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laser radiation is often used to provide micro and nanoparticle delivery into the skin for medical and cosmetic purposes. This technique inherently has limited speed and effective penetration. We proposed and investigated a new method of rapid delivery of solid microparticles, nanoparticles and liquids into tissue through multiple microchannels created by a fractional laser microablation (FLMA) using Er:YAG-laser. The dependence of microchannel depth on laser pulse temporal structure and number of pulses and dermal coloration changes are studied in this paper. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microchannels created in the porcine skin in vitro by a fractional Er:YAG-laser were used to deliver Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) microparticles or hydrocortisone solution. Each laser pulse consisted of subpulses. Number of laser pulses (Np) and subpulses (Nsp) can be adjusted. The enhancement of delivery is expected due to hydrodynamic impact of laser pulse on the layer of the aqueous suspension of the particles or hydrocortisone solution placed on the skin surface. For color investigation, we used standard CIE Lab parameter analysis. RESULTS: The relationship between microchannel depth in the skin and number of laser pulses and subpulses was established. We found that free filling of microchannels with ZrO2-particle suspension has a low speed of ∼4 × 10(-5) mm/s. Particle delivery into microchannels induced by the hydrodynamic shock waves generated by Er:YAG-laser pulses is carried out with a high speed of 28.5 mm/s. We also found that skin color at ZrO2 -particle delivery differs from color of the intact skin, namely: the parameter L, which characterizes the "lightness" increased by 9 ± 1%; parameter a, which characterizes the "redness" decreased by 38 ± 4%; and parameter b, which characterizes the "yellowness" decreased by 21 ± 2%. The effective delivery of hydrocortisone was demonstrated using fluorescence method technique. CONCLUSION: Multi-beam laser-induced hydrodynamic shock waves generated by Er:YAG-laser pulses on the layer of the aqueous suspension of the particles or solution of a high molecular weight drug placed on the skin can be used for their rapid delivery into the skin.

Uncovering dental implants using a new thermo-optically powered (TOP) technology with tissue air-cooling.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Uncovering implants with lasers, while bloodless, has been associated with a risk of implant and bone overheating. The present study evaluated the effect of using a new generation of high-power diode lasers on the temperature of a dental implant and the surrounding tissues using an in vitro model. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The implant temperature was measured at three locations using micro thermocouples. Collateral thermal damage of uncovered soft tissues was evaluated using NTBC stain. Implant temperature rise during and collateral thermal soft-tissue damage following implant uncovering with and without tissue air-cooling was studied using both the classic operational mode and the new thermo-optically powered (TOP) technology. RESULTS: For the classic surgical mode using a cork-initiated tip and constant laser power set at 3.4 W, the maximum temperature rise in the coronal and apical parts of the implant was 23.2 ± 4.1°Ð¡ and 9.5 ± 1.8°Ð¡, respectively, while 1.5 ± 0.5 mm of collateral thermal damage of the soft tissue surrounding the implant model occurred. Using the TOP surgical tip with constant laser power reduced implant overheating by 30%; collateral thermal soft-tissue damage was 0.8 ± 0.2 mm. Using the TOP surgical mode with a tip temperature setting of 800°C and air-cooling reduced the implant temperature rise by more than 300%, and only 0.2 ± 0.1 mm of collateral thermal soft-tissue damage occurred, typical for optimized CO2 laser surgery. Furthermore, use of the new generation diode technology (TOP surgical mode) appeared to reduce the time required for implant uncovering by a factor of two, compared to the standard surgical mode. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the new generation diode technology (TOP surgical mode) may significantly reduce overheating of dental implants during uncovering and seems to be safer for the adjacent soft and hard tissues. Use of such diode lasers with air-cooling can radically reduce the rise in implant temperatures (by more than three times), potentially making this technology safe and effective for implant uncovering.

Adjunctive dental therapy via tooth plaque reduction and gingivitis treatment by blue light-emitting diodes tooth brushing.

The efficacy of blue light-emitting toothbrushes (B-LETBs) (405 to 420 nm, power density 2 mW/cm(2)) for reduction of dental plaques and gingival inflammation has been evaluated. Microbiological study has shown the multifactor therapeutic action of the B-LETBs on oral pathological microflora: in addition to partial mechanical removal of bacteria, photodynamic action suppresses them up to 97.5%. In the pilot clinical studies, subjects with mild to moderate gingivitis have been randomly divided into two groups: a treatment group that used the B-LETBs and a control group that used standard toothbrushes. Indices of plaque, gingival bleeding, and inflammation have been evaluated. A significant improvement of all dental indices in comparison with the baseline (by 59%, 66%, and 82% for plaque, gingival bleeding, and inflammation, respectively) has been found. The treatment group has demonstrated up to 50% improvement relative to the control group. We have proposed the B-LETBs to serve for prevention of gingivitis or as an alternative to conventional antibiotic treatment of this disease due to their effectiveness and the absence of drug side effects and bacterial resistance.