Laser reshaping and regeneration of cartilage

Abstract

Demonstration of laser-induced stress relaxation in cartilage in 1992 led to the development of a novel laser surgical procedure in otolaryngology for the non-ablative reshaping of cartilage. Follow-up studies found that non-destructive laser irradiation may activate regeneration processes in cartilaginous tissue. Ongoing studies seek to characterize the physical, chemical and biological processes and mechanisms involved in the reshaping and regeneration of deformed and diseased cartilage under moderate laser heating. A theoretical model is developed considering laser-induced stress relaxation in cartilage as a process of micropore formation. Results obtained provide scientific and engineering data for development of novel laser surgical procedures for correction of the nasal septum and treatment of spine disc cartilage diseases. This review is aimed to present state of art and recent results in laser -induced reshaping and regeneration of cartilage.Histological cross-section of porcine nasal septal cartilage after laser reshaping using 1.56 µm laser radiation with power of 1.5 W, spot diameter 2 mm, exposure time of 5 s. Stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, ×400

Laser-induced regeneration of cartilage

“…60,80,81 It was first used in clinics for the correction of nasal septum deformities and for reshaping ears. [82][83][84][85] The prospects of laser reshaping of costal and tracheal cartilages as well as the epiglottis have also been demonstrated.…”

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy in an Experimental Model of Osteoarthritis in Rats Evaluated Through Raman Spectroscopy

“…43 In our study, histomorphometry showed that the laser, especially 660 nm (G660), stimulated an increase of collagen III fibers. These collagen fibers were more prevalent in all irradiated groups, contributing to the repair of damaged cartilage.…”

“…It has been reported by Sobol et al 43 that LLLT causes acceleration in cellular activity, especially on the cells that repair cartilage, accelerating the breakdown of cartilage destroyed by collagenase. Therefore, with the destroyed cartilage layer, the subchondral bone stays highlighted, which shows a prominent peak of phosphate, 23 as observed in the PC1 score.…”

“…48,49 Scanty cellular sources and low metabolic rate, along with a vascularity of cartilage, contributed to cartilage decreased regeneration ability. According to Sobol et al 43 the efficacy of any approach aimed at controlling the regeneration process depends upon three tasks: (1) the ability to reproduce the normal cell differentiation sequence from the progenitor cells to mature chondrocytes; (2) stimulation of the specific subpopulations of the resident cells to proliferation and/or new matrix production, and (3) achievement of adequate spatial organization of the new growing tissue. It is probable that the most important feature of LLLT is the involvement and activation of the intrinsic mechanism of cartilage repair.…”

Temperature control system for laser reshaping of nasal septum

“…При проведении септохондрокоррекции [12,13] измеряют температуру T т с помощью термопар, расположенных на периферии лазерного пятна в точках, не имеющих непосредст-венного контакта с облучаемыми тканями носовой перегородки [14]. На рис.…”