Development of a smart Holmium:YAG laser lithotriptor

✍ Scribed by Goldey, Charles L.; Rosen, David I.; Hayes, Gary B.; Willscher, Max K.; Roth, Robert A.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 249 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9101(1997)21:1<20::aid-lsm4>3.0.co;2-#

✦ Synopsis

Background and Objective:

The purpose of this study was to develop a feedback control system for the pulsed holmium: YAG medical laser that enhances tissue selectivity and safety by discriminating between soft and hard biological tissue such as urinary and biliary calculi and bone.

Study Design/Materials and Methods:

The ability to discriminate is achieved by monitoring prompt laser-induced visible/ NIR photoemissions via retrograde transmission over the laser delivery fiber in conjunction with a developed detection algorithm. Results: Experimental data are presented for a system that employs this discrimination scheme with an electro-optic shutter for rapid intrapulse feedback control of holmium laser-based lithotripsy procedures. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a lithotriptor that can deliver 1 J per pulse to calculi yet limit errant discharges to surrounding urinary tract tissue to Շ 0.1 J.