Solution of a problem in the theory of laser medicine by the method of lines (Q1113820)

In recent years laser power transmitted through an optical fibre has been used to provide the energy source for the treatment of tumours by local hyperthermia. The radiation from the fibre tip is scattered and absorbed by the tissue, where it is converted into thermal energy. When the tissue has been raised above about 43\(\circ C\) for a length of time depending on the temperature, it dies; at the same time the removal of energy by perfusion of the blood supply also ceases. The method is restricted in the volume that can be treated using a single fibre, so fibre clusters are now being introduced. A computer program has been written which solves the equations governing both the scattering and absorption processes and the heat conduction problem, usig the method of lines. Computed results have been found which agree qualitatively with the limited amount of evidence at present available and is here demonstrated for the case of a cluster of five fibres. With accurate values of the physical parameters, computations such as these can be a useful additional guide to the surgeon when making decisions about method of treatment, location, and exposure time.