Computer-supported device for histomorphometric investigations on laser-surgery

A device for quantitative morphometric analysis of tissue alterations caused by laser or electrosurgery was developed. The unit was designed for interactive evaluation of histological specimens obtained by experimental surgery. It consists of a microscope, a stepper-motor driven scanning stage, a digitizing tablet and a PC with software developed for this purpose. The depth of the incision, the width and the area of the coagulation zone can be measured independent of the microscopic magnification. Graphs and data can be exported in standard data-formats (ASCII, HPGL, DXF) for further processing. The application is demonstrated on experimental incisions with a CO2-laser in the oral mucosa of pigs; quantitative data are presented.