We have been suggested the use of CO laser as a cutting laser light of the laser-medical-treatment-system in future. In oreder to demonstrate the validity of the cutting characteristics of CO laser irradiation, comparative study of cutting and coagulating characteristics of CO and CO
2 laser irradiation was performed with quantitative experimental investigation. The laser irradiation experiments against dog and cow liver were carried out in vitro. In the case of cutting experiments, the focused laser beam of 1.3-2.6kW/cm
2 of averaged laser power intensity (P/πω
20) was exposured on the moving sample surface. Although, the cutting capacity of CO laser irradiation was slightly less than that of CO
2 laser irradiation, it is evident that CO laser irradiation has a sufficient cutting capacity for actual use. The thickness of coagulated layer at cross-section of cutting groove by CO laser cutting was about 50% thicker than that of CO
2 laser cutting under same conditions. In the case of coagulating experiments, the laser beam of 5-45 W/cm
2 of averaged power intensity was exposured on the staionary sample surface. Under 2 sec laser irradication, the coagulated layer thickness by CO laser was about 0.1-0.2 mm thicker than CO
2 laser. These performances were found to be consistent with the rough estimation and the quantitative discussion based upon water absorption coefficient in infrared. In summary, it can be inferred that CO laser is possible to use as laser scalpel.
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