Holmium Lasers
Holmium (Ho:YAG) lasers are versatile, covering a wide range of indications. Holmium
laser energy is largely absorbed by water, making it ideal for tissue ablation with minimal
lateral thermal damage. In the case of laser lithotripsy, laser energy vaporizes water in the
stone, causing it to break into smaller particles that pass easily though the urinary tract.
Laser Lithotripsy
Holmium lasers can treat any type of calculi, regardless of color or composition, from
the bladder to the kidney. A major advantage of a holmium laser is that its laser fibers
can be placed through small, flexible ureteroscopes with minimal loss of deflection or
irrigation. Because of the versatility and safety of holmium laser energy, the indications for
treatment have expanded to include stones larger than 2 cm.
Device Description
Name
H-30 Holmium Laser System
Front of Laser
Emergency
Stop Switch
Cook Medical © 2012
Laser Source
Ho:YAG
Emission
Warning Indicator
Laser
Aperture
Figure 1
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Chapter 1
Introduction
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