Optical Absorption Coefficient,Time of Thermal Relaxation,Time of Surface Threshold,and Time of Heat Incubation for PMMA Samples at the CO 2 Laser-Beam Wavelength of 10.6 µm

Objective: This paper discusses in detail the mathematical identification of the optical absorption α (cm⁻¹) of Beer's law, a crucial parameter to study the development of laser beam craters into dry poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) samples exposed to steady CO₂ laser beams emitting radiation at λ = 10.6 µm in continuous- wave (CW) mode. Three additional time-dependent coefficients have been determined as well. In clinical applications, these results are important in order to precisely quantify and forecast the ablation capabilities of the CO₂ laser beam, to optimize its usage in the operating room, and to address the safety issues related to surgical interventions on human tissue. Background Data: Currently, the data available in the literature do not allow the identification of the numerical value of α (cm⁻¹) for PMMA at λ = 10.6 µm with enough, and therefore satisfactory, accuracy. Additionally, the correct identification of the optical absorption of PMMA would allow the isolation, with better accuracy, of other key time-dependent coefficients, such as relaxation time, surface threshold time, and heat incubation time, which are all described in the literature in a qualitative rather than quantitative fashion. Correct bone cement preparation depends on the value of α(cm⁻¹) of the PMMA in order to avoid unwanted complications in patients during cement removal via laser techniques. Methods: The laser in use was configured in different combinations with the following parameters: transverse electromagnetic modes (TEMnm), output power (I0), exposure times (te), and focal lengths(fk). Several PMMA blocks (1 cm × 4 cm × 4 cm) were exposed to CW radiation of three commercially available CO₂ medical laser devices showing a TEM11 mode. Each block was exposed to the beam on a horizontal and well-polished surface of each sample. Four focal lengths (2.5", 5", 7.5", and 15.75" [400 mm]) were used to focus the beam on the well-polished and dry surface of the PMMA samples. The resulting dimensions of the craters were measured after each exposure, which has been kept at a 10-Watt CW beam. Exposure time ranged from 0.5 to 2 sec. Results: The value of α = 502 (cm⁻¹) for PMMAat 10.6 µm was identified, matching other results reported in the literature for similar compact media in the absence of water content, such as PMMA. The time of thermal relaxation was 9.358 · 10⁻⁴ sec, the time of surface threshold was 9.365 · 10⁻⁴ sec, and the time of heat incubation was 3.6 · 10⁻⁷ sec (all three for PMMAat 10.6 µm for any exposure). Using the calculated value of α, one of the practical clinical recommendations would be, for instance, to reduce or to abolish the utilization of colorant dopants in the preparation of the bone cement mixture and therefore reduce the danger of bone damage possible during the removal of bone cement via laser techniques. Other examples refer to other clinical bone and dental treatments.