Laser-assisted blood carboxyhemoglobin photodissociation: a promising technique for decreasing carbon monoxide intoxication

Abstract

Experimental results of in-vivo studies on laser-assisted photodissociation of carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) under visible and near IR optical irradiation of arterial blood in the first hand finger are presented. Arterial HbCO concentration was measured by the fingertip pulse oximetry. The statistical assessment of obtained measurements in the spectral range of 400-940 nm has revealed changes in HbCO rela tive concentration depending on radiation source wavelength. It was shown that there are three maxima (at 525, 600 and 850 nm) HbCO spectra where HbCO concentration decreases by 2.5%. The impact of irradiation power was studied at the area of maximal effect in the visible region of the spectrum. Changes in HbCO relative concentration reach saturation level when laser light power exceeds 40 mW at both wavelengths. HbCO photodissociation rate is very high, and its quantum yield, which is almost 80% in the region of maximal effect, allows to expect high efficiency of the proposed optical method for eliminating toxic effect of carbon monoxide.