Sample interview questions: Can you explain the concept of laser-induced thermal therapy and its significance in medicine?
Sample answer:
Laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) is a medical technique that utilizes laser light to induce localized heating in biological tissues for therapeutic purposes. It has proven to be a significant advancement in the field of medicine, particularly in the treatment of various diseases and conditions.
The principle behind LITT lies in the ability of laser light to be absorbed by tissues, converting the light energy into heat energy. This conversion occurs when the laser light interacts with chromophores, molecules that can absorb specific wavelengths of light. In the context of LITT, the target chromophores are primarily water and cellular components such as proteins.
When the laser light is absorbed by the chromophores, it leads to an increase in temperature in the targeted region. By carefully controlling the laser parameters such as power, duration, and spot size, the temperature can be raised to a level that induces thermal damage to the tissues. The goal is to selectively destroy or damage the targeted cells while minimizing harm to the surrounding healthy tissues.
The significance of LITT in medicine is multi-faceted. Firstly, it offers a minimally invasive treatment option for various medical conditions. Traditional surgical procedures often involve large incisions, extended recovery periods, and potential complications. LITT, on the other hand, can be performed through small incisions or even percutaneously, reducing the trauma to the patient and enabling faster recovery times.
Furthermore, LITT provides a high degree of precision and control. The focused nature of laser light allows for precise targeting of specific tissues or tumors, minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissues. This level of accuracy is particularly beneficial when treating tumors located in critical or hard-to-reach areas.
In addition to its precision, LITT also offers versatility in terms of the types of diseases and conditions it can treat. It has been successfully used in the treatmen… Read full answer