Laser Applications in Medicine: Current Status and Emerging Challenges

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1768

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Ashdod 77245, Israel
Interests: nonlinear optics; nonlinear materials; lasers; optical fibers; biomedical optics; atmospheric optics; quantum optics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The most outstanding invention of the 20th century is the LASER. Theodore Maiman created the first ‘LASER’ (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in 1960 using an electrical source to energize a solid ruby. When the principle of laser technology became known, development proceeded rapidly. Lasers were first used for medical applications in 1961 to treat skin discoloration and detached retinas. Being faster and less invasive with high precision, lasers have penetrated most medical disciplines over the past half century, including dermatology, ophthalmology, dentistry, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, cardiology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. Medical lasers are characterized by specific wavelengths, power outputs, and pulse durations tailored to target different tissues, and they achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes. Knowledge of the kinetics and dynamics of optical interactions with biological tissues is now almost within the grasp of practitioners. At the same time, basic and applied research is still actively pursued in laboratories worldwide to facilitate further technological developments for more effective clinical applications. The future of lasers in medicine is poised for continued innovation and expansion, driven by technological advancements and a deeper understanding of biological interactions. As the field evolves, the synergy between laser technology and medical expertise will likely yield even more sophisticated and effective treatments, solidifying the role of lasers as indispensable assets in the pursuit of improved health outcomes.

This Special Issue invites contributions describing new methodological aspects of lasers and their applications in medicine. We encourage authors to share their opinions, knowledge, and achievements. In addition, it is essential to present the impact of the latest disclosures on applications in the field of human activity and include examples of new measurement methods. All of this is to improve our scientific understanding of the subject.

Original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and model studies related to the theme are welcome.

We very much look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Irit Juwiler
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • lasers
  • medicine
  • surgery
  • dermatology
  • ophthalmology
  • dentistry
  • otolaryngology
  • gastroenterology
  • urology
  • gynecology
  • cardiology
  • neurosurgery
  • orthopedics
  • tissue types
  • biological interactions
  • technological advancements
  • clinical applications
  • health outcomes

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 1707 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Thermal, Hematohistological, and Dermatological Biocompatibility of LED Devices for Neonatal Phototherapy
by Tayomara Ferreira Nascimento, Silvia Cristina Mangini Bocchi, João Cesar Lyra, Rodrigo Fernando Bianchi, Lauro de Assis Duarte Junior, Giselle Silveira Lacerda, Luciana Patrícia Fernandes Abadde, Noeme Sousa Rocha, Susana Eduardo Vieira, Hélio Langoni, Cristiano Neves do Nascimento and Rodrigo Jensen
Biomedicines 2025, 13(11), 2826; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13112826 - 20 Nov 2025
Viewed by 999
Abstract
Background/Objective: The effectiveness of blue-light phototherapy (PT) is mainly dependent on the total dose of light (time under PT and amount of skin exposed) received by infants. The primary aim of this study was the development of a novel, flexible, and stretchable [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: The effectiveness of blue-light phototherapy (PT) is mainly dependent on the total dose of light (time under PT and amount of skin exposed) received by infants. The primary aim of this study was the development of a novel, flexible, and stretchable device to provide continuous PT treatment, avoiding temporary interruptions that are often observed in practice, such as during breastfeeding, for example. This study evaluated the biocompatibility of a novel, low-cost blanket equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps designed to maintain therapeutic efficacy while facilitating uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact. Methods: Fourteen New Zealand White rabbits, weighing approximately 2.9 kg and aged 4 months, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (TG, n = 7) or a control group (CG, n = 7). The TG received phototherapy directly on the skin (irradiance: 19.3 [13.0–22.0] µW/cm−2/nm−1) during two 12 h sessions over consecutive days, while the CG remained under identical conditions with the device turned off. Biochemical, hematological, dermatological, and histological parameters, as well as rectal and skin temperatures, were assessed. Results: The results showed no differences in clinical appearance or histological analysis of skin tissue between the groups. Blood analysis indicated a reduction in absolute monocyte counts in the TG compared to the CG (p = 0.049), though levels remained within normal ranges. Skin temperature was consistently higher in the TG, except during the initial measurement. Rectal temperatures were similar on the first day but lower in the TG on the second day (mean 40.3 ± 0.21 °C vs. 40.7 ± 0.32 °C; p = 0.039). Conclusions: Temperature levels remained within physiological limits for both groups throughout the study. The device demonstrated biocompatibility and caused no adverse dermatological, hematological, or biochemical effects. Full article
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