Basic optothermal diffusion theory for interstitial laser photocoagulation

A theoretical basis for interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) practiced with point-emitting fiber tips has been established by solving the bioheat transfer equation, using basic Green's function methods, for steady and instantaneous point sources of both optical energy and direct heat. Three combination optical and thermal parameters have been identified that strongly influence temperature distributions during ILP. These are defined here as …