Laser tissue interaction modeling for treatment planning of port-wine stain

Finite element method is used to solve the diffusion equations of light and heat simultaneously, to calculate the temperature field in laser tissue interaction. The model suggests that a wavelength of 585 nm and continuous pulse of 0.45 ms with energy density of at least 6 Jcm/sup -2/ are recommended for effective flashlamp pulsed dye laser treatment of port-wine stains. The model predicts that vessel smaller than 20 /spl mu/m will be spared and vessels larger than 200 /spl mu/m in diameter will be partially coagulated. These results agreed with previously published pathological examination.