Lasers: The healing tool of the future: Fulfillment of their far-reaching potential depends on the work of physicians and engineers to understand laser-tissue interactions and develop new technologies

Scientists predict that lasers will revolutionize the practice of medicine and surgery. Whether this proves to be true will depend on the success of current and future research. Few, if any, laser-tissue interactions (the backbone of laser medicine) are completely understood, although lasers have been used in medicine since 1961. The physical and biological response to laser irradiation is complex and occurs on spatial and temporal scales that are difficult to study. On the other hand, progress in this field also strongly depends on advances in basic laser technology, which provide the tools of the trade. Thus, the field of lasers in medicine is ripe for the innovative work of engineers, basic scientists, and physicians.