Development of an infrared array sensor-integrated laser system for precision and efficacy in medical applications

Photothermal treatments require precise temperature control to achieve therapeutic effects without harming surrounding tissues. However, existing systems rely on expensive components for accuracy. This study explores whether a temperature-controlled laser system can be developed using cost-effective components while maintaining precision. The system was designed and built from scratch and then tested on samples with different optical properties to identify and address its limitations. The final design ensures accuracy without requiring a computer for monitoring and control, making the technology more accessible. Our research group developed the hardware and software for a temperature-controlled laser system. The operating algorithm was then optimized using phantom and ex vivo tissue. The IR array sensor was used with its factory calibration, and its accuracy was compared to that of another commercial IR temperature measurement device. Finally, the results of the temperature-controlled ex vivo application were compared to those obtained using corresponding constant laser power values. The developed system could distinguish between agar and lamb liver and adjust the irradiation parameters accordingly. In the experiments where the samples were kept at 42.5 °C, the mean and standard deviation of the agar gel and lamb liver tissue temperatures were 42.10 ±0.37 °C and 42.92 ±0.39 °C, respectively. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the developed system maintained the lamb liver tissue temperature at set values, with a standard deviation of less than ± 0.48 °C. In this study, a precise, customizable, and relatively inexpensive temperature-controlled laser system was developed and tested. The operation algorithm was developed based on preliminary studies, and the precision was maintained on samples with distinct optical properties. Future studies should focus on making the device more compact and testing the system in in vivo models. Clinical trial number Not applicable.