laser
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(lā′zĕr)

[Acronym forlight amplification by stimulated emission of radiation]
A device that emits intense heat and power on small target by converting various frequencies of light into a unified beam of a single frequency or wavelength. Lasers can influence cellular chemistry (the photochemical effects) and damage tissues by generating heat (such as producing coagulation, the photothermal effects). They can drill into, cavitate, or explode tissues (photomechanical effects) and can ablate tissues after transforming them into plasma. Lasers can also be used diagnostically (as by illuminating cells or tissues, as in fluorescence). They have many applications in laboratories and in surgical procedures. In ophthalmology, they are used to treat cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment; in cardiology, to vaporize arterial obstructions; in dermatology, to obliterate blood vessels and to remove warts, skin cancers, nevi, excess tissue, and tattoos; in gynecology, to remove vulval lesions, including genital warts; in gastroenterology, to control bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract; and in oral surgery and dentistry, to remove tumors. Many kinds of lasers are used depending upon the wavelength and power required, including argon, carbon dioxide, copper vapor, dye, excimer, helium-neon, ion, krypton, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet, and ruby lasers.
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(lā′zĕr)

[Acronym forlight amplification by stimulated emission of radiation]
A device that emits intense heat and power on small target by converting various frequencies of light into a unified beam of a single frequency or wavelength. Lasers can influence cellular chemistry (the photochemical effects) and damage tissues by generating heat (such as producing coagulation, the photothermal effects). They can drill into, cavitate, or explode tissues (photomechanical effects) and can ablate tissues after transforming them into plasma. Lasers can also be used diagnostically (as by illuminating cells or tissues, as in fluorescence). They have many applications in laboratories and in surgical procedures. In ophthalmology, they are used to treat cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment; in cardiology, to vaporize arterial obstructions; in dermatology, to obliterate blood vessels and to remove warts, skin cancers, nevi, excess tissue, and tattoos; in gynecology, to remove vulval lesions, including genital warts; in gastroenterology, to control bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract; and in oral surgery and dentistry, to remove tumors. Many kinds of lasers are used depending upon the wavelength and power required, including argon, carbon dioxide, copper vapor, dye, excimer, helium-neon, ion, krypton, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet, and ruby lasers.
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