Damage assessment and histological analysis of suprathreshold near-infrared laser exposures to skin in the Yucatan mini pig (Conference Presentation)

A significant knowledge gap exists pertaining to the presentation and categorization of suprathreshold skin injuries due to near-infrared (NIR) laser exposure, where supra-threshold is defined as damage beyond the minimum visible lesion (MVL) level such as partial thickness 2nd degree burns and full-thickness 3rd degree burns. This work investigated supratheshold exposure to porcine skin in vivo using a continuous-wave (CW) laser system emitting at 1070 nm. The categorical parameters of variation were exposure duration and beam diameter, with each parameter combination subsequently explored over a wide range of laser powers (i.e., doses). Biopsies of each laser-induced lesion were taken three days following exposure and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Dose thresholds for 2nd and 3rd degree burns are calculated for each parameter set of beam diameter and exposure duration. Histological analysis demonstrates unique features when compared to typical contact skin burns. This work allows for hazard analysis of 1070 nm laser exposure to be extended to the suprathreshold regime.