Preliminary observations of holmium:YAG laser tissue interaction using human uterus

Preliminary observations of a pulsed Ho:YAG laser on human uterine tissue in-vitro are presented. The tissue effect on the uterine myometrium was demonstrated using fresh uteri which had been subjected to laser energy. The laser crater and surrounding zone of thermal necrosis (ZTN) was quantified. Measurements demonstrated a consistent narrow ZTN (0.8-1.8 mm) irrespective of power or pulse frequency used. The percentage forward transmission of laser energy through 1 mm of myometrium was investigated using a pyroelectric detector and found to be 0.41%. Finally, a visible and measureable photoacoustic component to the Ho:YAG laser was demonstrated using a water bath and needle hydrophone.