KAPLAN’S CORNER IN MEMORIAM Isaac Kaplan Billie Aronoff passed away On the twenty eighth of May. He devoted himself to surgical oncology, And used the CO2 laser without apology. Of the ISLSM he was the second president, And in Dallas, Texas, he was resident. I extend my condolences to Valerie, his wife, And wish her a long and healthy life, And, to those of us who knew him too, I’m sure I also speak for you.
ADDRESS IN FLORENCE 2011 Isaac Kaplan We were looking forward to this trip, To be made by plane and train and not by ship. When the time came to leave home, The first thing we did was fly to Rome And from there we went by train, Until we arrived in Florence again, Where, for the umpteenth time, I intend to address you again in rhyme. Professor Leonardo Longo and Patrizia his lovely wife, To the International Academy of Laser Surgery and Medicine dedicate their life And the annual meetings that they hold, Never fails to make me so bold As to say that it is one of Florence’s major events, What with the educational value that it presents. Masha and I are always delighted To be among those regularly invited. And use the opportunity in order to promote The CO2 laser as a surgical instrument of note. Because, the meetings always provide the chance To do so from a platform par excellence. For me, to open this meeting has become a tradition, And my problem is to avoid repetition. Being the honorary president of the International Phototherapy Association, Provides my addressing you today with more justification To talk with authority on the history of laser surgery, I might, But on lasers in other applications, I don’t have the right, So, since I was involved with the CO2 laser from its inception, And, in every field of surgery, without exception, Suffice it to say, That until today, I feel entitled my opinion on the CO2 laser to voice, And that is, for surgery, it still is the laser of choice. To promote it, most of my professional life I’ve devoted, And am proud to say, that it has been well promoted. Its advantages as a surgical knife are well noted, And, the available literature has been well quoted. But, before I conclude, your attention I would like to call To what I consider would be a CO2 laser for all. Every surgeon, no matter who, Should know exactly what he can do With a CO2 laser as a surgical modality, Whatever happens to be his speciality. The advantages of the laser have been well recorded, But the main disadvantage is that it can’t be afforded. So, it is my intention To try to draw attention, 254
available at www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/islsm
To how a reliable laser can be produced At a price that is considerably reduced. Its power is measured by the watt, Whose density depends on the size of the spot The optics for focusing the beam is either refractive or reflective, And the focal- length. determines the spot size that’s effective. The ideal hand piece is about five inches all told And, if a half an inch wide, it is easy to hold. Now for refractive optics, a lens is required, Which, for sterilization, gas is desired. Because the lens is made of zinc selenide, A material which cannot heat abide While, in reflective optics, mirrors are used And, if they are metal, by heat they’re not abused. Now, as mentioned before, power density depends on the watt, As well, of course, as on the size of the spot. This means that the smaller the spot, the less power is required, To affect the tissue the way that’s desired. So, it follows, that reflective optics with a short focal length, Enables one to use a laser of less strength. And the hand piece can be sterilized by heat, Which, of course, is a simple feat. Now, since the price of the laser depends on the power, If the laser is smaller the price should be lower. Finally, RF exciting is preferable to DC, Because then, even smaller the laser can be. Since the RF one can be cooled with air, While the DC one needs water there. Thus, an RF excited CO2 laser of ten watt’s strength, And a hand piece with reflective optics with a two inch focal length, Will be an entirely satisfactory device, And for all kinds of surgery will suffice. It could also be portable and dependable, And can be placed on a table or be suspendable. Now, if such a laser were produced, At a price considerably reduced, It could be acquired By any surgeon who so desired. And, from the patient’s point of view, Any operation that was due, Would be less traumatic, And hemostatic And reduction of pain, automatic. While the surgeon’s mind could be at rest, Because, for his patient he is doing his best. So, with all this in mind, I thought that I would try to find, A suitable company, That perhaps would agree, To produce such a device, According to my advice, Thus responding to my call, To make a CO2 laser for all. So far, all I managed to achieve, Is a lesson in economics to receive. I was told that, economically, it would be much more wise, To manufacture equipment ten times the size, If ten times the price one could charge, Because, the profit would be more than ten times as large. So, even if only one tenth of potential customers paid, Only one tenth of the equipment would have to be made. So, here I am still living in hope, That, one day, all surgeons with the CO2 laser will cope. So, all that is left for me to say, Is welcome to those in attendance today. I can assure you that you will not only be enlightened, But, socially, your life will surely be brightened. KAPLAN’S CORNER
ADDRESS IN FLORENCE 2011 Isaac Kaplan We were looking forward to this trip, To be made by plane and train and not by ship. When the time came to leave home, The first thing we did was fly to Rome And from there we went by train, Until we arrived in Florence again, Where, for the umpteenth time, I intend to address you again in rhyme. Professor Leonardo Longo and Patrizia his lovely wife, To the International Academy of Laser Surgery and Medicine dedicate their life And the annual meetings that they hold, Never fails to make me so bold As to say that it is one of Florence’s major events, What with the educational value that it presents. Masha and I are always delighted To be among those regularly invited. And use the opportunity in order to promote The CO2 laser as a surgical instrument of note. Because, the meetings always provide the chance To do so from a platform par excellence. For me, to open this meeting has become a tradition, And my problem is to avoid repetition. Being the honorary president of the International Phototherapy Association, Provides my addressing you today with more justification To talk with authority on the history of laser surgery, I might, But on lasers in other applications, I don’t have the right, So, since I was involved with the CO2 laser from its inception, And, in every field of surgery, without exception, Suffice it to say, That until today, I feel entitled my opinion on the CO2 laser to voice, And that is, for surgery, it still is the laser of choice. To promote it, most of my professional life I’ve devoted, And am proud to say, that it has been well promoted. Its advantages as a surgical knife are well noted, And, the available literature has been well quoted. But, before I conclude, your attention I would like to call To what I consider would be a CO2 laser for all. Every surgeon, no matter who, Should know exactly what he can do With a CO2 laser as a surgical modality, Whatever happens to be his speciality. The advantages of the laser have been well recorded, But the main disadvantage is that it can’t be afforded. So, it is my intention To try to draw attention, 254
available at www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/islsm
To how a reliable laser can be produced At a price that is considerably reduced. Its power is measured by the watt, Whose density depends on the size of the spot The optics for focusing the beam is either refractive or reflective, And the focal- length. determines the spot size that’s effective. The ideal hand piece is about five inches all told And, if a half an inch wide, it is easy to hold. Now for refractive optics, a lens is required, Which, for sterilization, gas is desired. Because the lens is made of zinc selenide, A material which cannot heat abide While, in reflective optics, mirrors are used And, if they are metal, by heat they’re not abused. Now, as mentioned before, power density depends on the watt, As well, of course, as on the size of the spot. This means that the smaller the spot, the less power is required, To affect the tissue the way that’s desired. So, it follows, that reflective optics with a short focal length, Enables one to use a laser of less strength. And the hand piece can be sterilized by heat, Which, of course, is a simple feat. Now, since the price of the laser depends on the power, If the laser is smaller the price should be lower. Finally, RF exciting is preferable to DC, Because then, even smaller the laser can be. Since the RF one can be cooled with air, While the DC one needs water there. Thus, an RF excited CO2 laser of ten watt’s strength, And a hand piece with reflective optics with a two inch focal length, Will be an entirely satisfactory device, And for all kinds of surgery will suffice. It could also be portable and dependable, And can be placed on a table or be suspendable. Now, if such a laser were produced, At a price considerably reduced, It could be acquired By any surgeon who so desired. And, from the patient’s point of view, Any operation that was due, Would be less traumatic, And hemostatic And reduction of pain, automatic. While the surgeon’s mind could be at rest, Because, for his patient he is doing his best. So, with all this in mind, I thought that I would try to find, A suitable company, That perhaps would agree, To produce such a device, According to my advice, Thus responding to my call, To make a CO2 laser for all. So far, all I managed to achieve, Is a lesson in economics to receive. I was told that, economically, it would be much more wise, To manufacture equipment ten times the size, If ten times the price one could charge, Because, the profit would be more than ten times as large. So, even if only one tenth of potential customers paid, Only one tenth of the equipment would have to be made. So, here I am still living in hope, That, one day, all surgeons with the CO2 laser will cope. So, all that is left for me to say, Is welcome to those in attendance today. I can assure you that you will not only be enlightened, But, socially, your life will surely be brightened. KAPLAN’S CORNER
