Abstract: A laser shield consists essentially of a series of spherical glass bubbles densely packed within a range of 1.95.times.10.sup.3 bubbles per cubic centimeter to 1.25.times.10.sup.8 bubbles per cubic centimeter encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to provide a flexible and lightweight foam-like material to terminate CO.sub.2 laser radiation without producing a substantial carbon plume. The glass bubbles may be filled with a gas. In another embodiment, a laser shield consists essentially of water encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to provide a flexible and lightweight material to terminate CO.sub.2 laser radiation without producing a substantial carbon plume. In another embodiment, water bubbles and glass bubbles are both encapsulated within a matrix of silicone to provide a laser shield. A surgical drape, a surgical sponge and an endotracheal tube are formed of a flexible and lightweight material of a series of densely packed bubbles encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to terminate laser radiation.

Abstract: A laser shield consists essentially of a series of spherical glass bubbles densely packed within a range of 1.95.times.10.sup.3 bubbles per cubic centimeter to 1.25.times.10.sup.8 bubbles per cubic centimeter encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to provide a flexible and light-weight foam-like material to terminate CO.sub.2 laser radiation without producing a substantial carbon plume. The glass bubbles may be filled with a gas. In another embodiment, a laser shield consists essentially of water encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to provide a flexible and lightweight material to terminate CO.sub.2 laser radiation without producing a substantial carbon plume. In another embodiment, water bubbles and glass bubbles are both encapsulated within a matrix of silicone to provide a laser shield. A surgical drape, a surgical sponge and an endotracheal tube are formed of a flexible and lightweight material of a series of densely packed bubbles encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to terminate laser radiation.

Abstract: A laser shield consists essentially of a series of spherical glass bubbles densely packed within a range of 1.95.times.10.sup.3 bubbles per cubic centimeter to 1.25.times.10.sup.8 bubbles per cubic centimeter encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to provide a flexible and lightweight foam-like material to terminate CO.sub.2 laser radiation without producing a substantial carbon plume. The glass bubbles may be filled with a gas. In another embodiment, a laser shield consists essentially of water encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to provide a flexible and lightweight material to terminate CO.sub.2 laser radiation without producing a substantial carbon plume. In another embodiment, water bubbles and glass bubbles are both encapsulated within a matrix of silicone to provide a laser shield. A surgical drape, a surgical sponge and an endotracheal tube are formed of a flexible and lightweight material of a series of densely packed bubbles encapsulated in a matrix of silicone to terminate laser radiation.