In laser ablation, energy is measured in which unit?

In laser ablation, energy is measured in Joules. This is because a laser delivers energy in the form of light, which can be quantified in terms of energy per pulse or over time. Joules are the standard unit of measurement for energy in the International System of Units (SI).

When a laser beam is focused onto tissue during ablation, it disrupts cellular structures by converting light energy into thermal energy, effectively achieving the desired removal or alteration of tissue. The energy delivered by the laser, expressed in Joules, plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the procedure, as it directly correlates with the amount of tissue affected.

While other units like Watts represent power (energy per time), Joules specifically quantify the energy used during the laser treatment. Therefore, recognizing that laser ablation is fundamentally about delivering energy to achieve a clinical outcome underlines why Joules is the correct choice for this context.