Laser-induced photodissociation of carboxyhemoglobin: An optical method for eliminating the toxic effect of carbon monoxide

We propose and examine an optical method for eliminating the toxic effect of carbon monoxide. The developed method is based on laser-induced photodissociation of carboxyhemoglobin in blood vessels and capillaries. By numerical simulation of the interaction of laser radiation with tissue, we calculate the spectra of the action of carboxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin in cutaneous blood vessels. We show that, despite the sufficiently strong overlap of the action spectra of carboxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin, the substantial difference in the quantum yield values makes it possible to develop an optical method for eliminating the toxic effect of carbon monoxide. We determine the criteria for the efficiency of laser-induced photodissociation of carboxyhemoglobin under direct action on lung alveoli through the skin tissue and intravenously.