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Published on: May 9, 2018
Current laser sources and technologies for endourological applications
Frédéric Panthier1, Steeve Doizi1, Laurent Berthe2
1Endolase Lab, GRC 20-Sorbonne University - PIMM Lab Arts et Métiers Paris Tech, 75020 Paris, France; Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75020 Paris, France; PIMM, UMR 8006 CNRS-Arts et Métiers ParisTech, 151, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Endourology Technology Section of European Association of Urology (EAU), Arnhem, Netherlands; Progressive Endourological Association for Research and Leading Solutions (PEARLS), Paris, France.
This review details laser technologies for endourology, focusing on pulsed lasers like Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG), Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL), and pulsed Thulium:YAG (p-Tm:YAG). These lasers are crucial for modern endourological procedures.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Laser Technology
- Endourology
Background:
- Lasers are indispensable tools in modern endourology.
- Understanding available laser sources and their technological principles is crucial for effective application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a detailed overview of current laser sources utilized in endourological procedures.
- To describe the underlying technologies of these laser systems.
Main Methods:
- A non-systematic literature review was performed.
- Searches were conducted across PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases without time restrictions.
- A narrative synthesis of the findings was presented.
Main Results:
- Commonly used pulsed lasers include Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG), Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL), and pulsed Thulium:YAG (p-Tm:YAG).
- Ho:YAG lasers offer up to 30W MAP, while TFL provides higher frequencies (≤2000Hz) and up to 60W MAP.
- Pulsed Thulium:YAG (p-Tm:YAG) lasers offer a compromise with 100W MAP in a single cavity. Continuous wave lasers like KTP, TFL, and Tm:YAG are also frequently employed.
Conclusions:
- Pulsed lasers (Ho:YAG, TFL, p-Tm:YAG) and continuous lasers (KTP, TFL, Tm:YAG) are the most prevalent technologies in endourology.
- The selection of laser technology depends on the specific endourological application and desired outcomes.
