<title>Photodynamic therapy with ultrafast lasers</title>

Abstract

The photodynamic properties of several photosensitive compounds have been evaluated in vivo using simultaneous two-photon excitation (TPE) and multi-photon excitation (MPE). TPE and MPE are effected using a mode-locked laser, such as the mode-locked titanium:sapphire or Nd:YLF laser, the near infrared output of which allows direct promotion of various non-resonant transitions. Such lasers are exceptionally well suited for non-linear activation of exogenous or endogenous PDT agents in biological systems due to their extremely short pulse width, modest pulse energy, and high repetition rate; these features combine to effect efficient PDT activation with minimal potential for non- specific biological damage, improved spatial localization of activation, and enhanced depth of penetration. Results in several murine models are presented.