• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.375-379
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• 1997

Pulsed Er:YAG and $CO_2$ lasers induced temperature rise of tissue are studied using axisymmetric, two-dimensional, and transient Pennes' bio-heat equation or the implications of skin resurfacing. Model results indicate that Er:YAG laser induced temperature has much higher but more shallow distribution in tissue than that of the $CO_2$ laser because of its higher absorption coefficient. The increase of repetition rate does not affect the temperature rise too much because these laser modalities have much shorter heat diffusion time than the temporal length of each off-pulse. This model works as a tool to understand the photothermal effect in the laser-tissue interaction.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 1998

Pulsed Er: YAG and CO$_2$ lasers induced temperature rise of tissue is studied using axisymmetric, two-dimensional, and transient Pennes bio-heat equation for elucidating the implications of skin resurfacing. Modeling indicates that Er:YAG laser induced temperature has much higher but more shallow distribution in tissue than that of the CO$_2$ laser because of much higher absorption coefficient. The increase of repetition rate does not much affect on temperature rise because these laser modalities have much shorter heat diffusion time than the temporal length of each off-pulse. This model works as a tool to understand the photothermal effect in the laser-tissue interaction.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.238-241
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• 2021

Laryngomalacia is the most common laryngeal malformation that occurs mainly in newborns and children. Symptoms include inspiratory high pitched wheezing, dyspnea, and cyanosis. In most cases, symptoms aggravate until eight months and gradually disappear without any treatment as the patient grows older, but surgical treatment is required in severe cases. The surgical treatment options include epiglottoplasty, supraglottoplasty, aryepiglottoplasty, tracheostomy, and many others performing a resection of excessive mucosa in the larynx. Unlike conventional surgeries, the authors recently treated a case of a two-month-old infant with severe laryngomalacia using a CO₂ laser. After performing CO₂ laser surgery twice, the patient was cured without complications.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.227-234
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• 2014

Purpose: Dentin hypersensitivity is a potential threat to oral health. Laser irradiation may provide reliable and reproducible treatment but remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of $CO_2$ or erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy, and to assess mineral content. Methods: Eighteen human single-rooted teeth affected with advanced periodontitis were obtained. Buccal and lingual surfaces were planed to form 36 specimens. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid gel (24%) was applied to remove the smear layer and simulate hypersensitive teeth. The experimental groups were: group 1, control (no irradiation); group 2, $CO_2$ laser (repetitive pulsed mode, 2 W, $2.7J/cm^2$); and group 3, Er:YAG laser (slight contact mode, 40 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz). To evaluate dentinal tubule occlusion, six specimens per group (2-mm thickness) were prepared and observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for calculation of the occlusion percentage. To evaluate the mineral content, six specimens per group (0.6-mm thickness) were used, and then the levels of Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. In addition, the surface temperature of the specimens during laser irradiation was analyzed by a thermograph. Results: The SEM photomicrographs indicated melted areas around exposed dentinal tubules and a significantly greater percentage of tubular occlusion in the $CO_2$ and Er:YAG laser groups than the control, and in the Er:YAG group than the $CO_2$ laser group. In addition, no significant differences were noted among the experimental groups for the mineral elements analyzed. The $CO_2$ laser group showed an evident thermal effect compared to the Er:YAG group. Conclusions: $CO_2$ and Er:YAG laser are effective in treating dentin hypersensitivity and reducing its symptoms. However, the Er:YAG laser has a more significant effect; thus, it may constitute a useful conditioning item. Furthermore, neither $CO_2$ nor Er:YAG lasers affected the compositional structure of the mineral content.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.438-443
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• 2005

Laser surface hardening is an effective technique used to improve the tribological properties and also to increase the service life of automobile components such as camshafts, crankshatfs, lorry brake drums and gears. High power CO2 lasers and Nd:YAG lasers are employed for localized hardening of materials and hence are of potential application in the automobile industries. The heat is conducted rapidly into the bulk of the specimen causing self-quenching to occur and the formation of martensitic structure. In this investigation, the microstructure features occurring in Nd:YAG laser hardening SM45C steel are discussed with the use of optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analysis. Moreover, This paper describes the optimism of the processing parameters for maximum hardened depth of SM45C steel specimens of 3mm thickness by using CW Nd:YAG laser. Travel speed was varied from 0.6m/min to 1.0m/min. The maximum hardness and case depth fo SM45C steel are 780Hv and 0.4mm by laser hardening.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.246-251
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• 2005

Laser surface hardening is an effective technique used to improve the tribological properties and also to increase the service life of automobile components such as camshafts, crankshatfs, lorry brake drums and gears. High power $CO_2$ lasers and Nd:YAG lasers are employed for localized hardening of materials and hence are of potential application in the automobile industries. The heat is conducted rapidly into the bulk of the specimen causing self-quenching to occur and the formation of martensitic structure. In this investigation, the microstructure features occurring in Nd:YAG laser hardening SM45C steel are discussed with the use of optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analysis. Moreover, This paper describes the optimism of the processing parameters for maximum hardened depth of SM45C steel specimens of 3mm thickness by using CW Nd:YAG laser. Travel speed was varied from 0.6m/min to 1.0m/min. The maximum hardness and case depth fo SM45C steel are 780Hv and 0.4mm by laser hardening.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.570-574
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• 2016

Background Fractional $CO_2$ laser is an effective treatment for scars, but most patients complain about sharp burning pain, even after the application of lidocaine ointment. This study analyzed the impact of a vibrating device to nonpharmacologically reduce the acute pain of laser treatment, in accordance with the gate control theory of pain management. Methods This is a prospective study performed from May 2013 through March 2014. Fifty-three patients (mean age, 26.7 years; range, 16-44 years) who had donated livers for liver transplantation were treated with a fractional $CO_2$ laser (10,600 nm; model $eCO_2$, Lutronic Corp) for their abdomen scars. Laser treatment was applied 4 months after surgery. A commercially available, locally applied vibrating device (model UM-30M, Unix Electronics Co. Ltd.) was used, in an on-and-off pattern, together with the $CO_2$ laser. A visual analogue scale (VAS; 0, no pain; 10, most severe pain) of pain sensation was assessed and statistically analyzed using a paired t-test. Results The average VAS score for pain with the vibrating device was 4.60 and the average VAS score without the vibrating device was 6.11. The average difference between scores was 1.51 (P=0.001). Conclusions A locally applied vibrating device was demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain when treating with a fractional $CO_2$ laser. Vibration treatment could be helpful when treating scars with fractional $CO_2$ laser in pain-sensitive patients, particularly children.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.295-305
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• 2018

We present a passively Q-switched monolithic Er:Yb:glass microchip laser developed in our lab. The microchip laser can produce pulses at 1535 nm of the 'eye-safe' wavelengths with the pulse energy of 50 uJ and the pulse width of 4-6 ns. Using the laser we also designed and developed a pulsed Er:Yb:glass microchip laser rangefinder. Expressions for background and signal power, noise, and signal-to-noise ratio are reviewed. A computer simulation was used to optimize laser power, receiver aperture, and preamplifier bandwidth for the efficient system design of the laser rangefinder. Experimental results are presented to compare with the theory.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2020

Bronchial foreign body aspiration (BFA) is a common but emergent condition in infants and children. Furthermore, it can result in various complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and pneumothorax. Among these, pneumothorax is a very rare complication. However, it can be fatal without the swift implementation of appropriate treatment. We experienced a case of 16-month-old girl with an aspirated peanut. The foreign body was fixed in her left main bronchus. A CO₂ laser was used to safely cut and break the foreign body. Removal was successful after breaking it. But after the process, inflammatory tissue of the tracheal mucosa was ruptured. Bilateral tension pneumothorax followed after the rupture. The patient was treated with bilateral chest tube insertion. Here we present this BFA case with a rare and unexpected complication. We also review the appropriate literature.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2019

Background and Objectives High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can produce small zones of thermal damage. A HIFU procedure is non-invasive and it can achieve rejuvenation of facial skin. Fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing delivers thermal damage to the pixilated columnar zone of the skin and so evoke collagen remodeling, the same as HIFU. In many cases, the patients who want rejuvenation with HIFU are also good candidates for cutaneous photorejuvenation such as can be accomplished via fractional CO₂ resurfacing. If patients are treated in a single session by remodeling both the superficial and deep compartments of skin by using both modalities, then improvement in rhytides and tightening of sagging skin will optimize the aesthetic result. Materials and Methods Between May 2014 and January 2018, a total of 44 patients were treated with combination HIFU and fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing according to our protocol. First, the HIFU was applied to the entire face with an average of 300 treatment lines. Immediately after HIFU treatment, the ultrasound gel was washed off and then fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing was performed. We evaluated the patients using 4-point grading scales. The clinician examined the skin for evidence of complications after the completion of treatment. Results All the patients' skin quality showed improvement. Further. the clinical results after duel modality treatment were substantially better than that after the use of either modality alone. The recovery times and the incidence of adverse events when quickly and consecutively performing both treatments were similar as compared to those with employing stepwise treatment. We encountered no complications whatsoever. Conclusion When compared with stepwise therapy, combination therapy with HIFU and fractional CO₂ resurfacing offers better, safer and more effective clinical results. Thus, for targeting multiple layers of aging facial skin, this combination therapy can be safely performed in a single treatment session.