Abstract
Our purpose was to comprehend holmium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho: YAG) laser-induced bubble dynamics in whole blood. We observed the bubble dynamics in the thin chamber filled with whole blood and water under Ho: YAG laser radiation ranging in energy from 460-680 mJ/pulse via a 400 μm core diameter optical fiber. We also observed the bubble in large water chamber to compare the bubble dynamic behavior between the thin chamber and free space using water. The bubble volume and lifetime generated in the thin blood chamber were 1.03 to 1.25 times larger and 1.2 times longer than in the thin water chamber, respectively. It was estimated that the bubble volume and lifetime in blood free space would be 10.1-22.0 mm3 and 630 μs, respectively. The measured peak collapse pressure in blood free space was 29-37 % of that in water free space. We think our predicted behavior of the bubble in blood may be suitable for blood replacement applications.
