Permanent gases and highly volatile organic compounds in laser plume

The characteristic gaseous and highly volatile organics emitted during laser tissue interaction were investigated in order to understand and to classify fundamental chemical processes as well as to influence the produced substances. The amount of oxygen available and the temperature efficient inside the reaction zone are the most important parameters, determining type and amount of the emitted chemicals, Summarising the results, generally, it is possible to state that the emission of toxic and cancerogenic substances during laser tissue interaction is favoured if high temperatures arise inside the reaction area, if dried or carbonised tissue is irradiated, or if inert gases are used A high oxygen content available in the reaction area, realised, e.g. by addition of a water aerosol, lowers the production of harmful chemicals.