In-vitro Erbium:YAG laser lithotripsy

Kin Foong Chan; Gracie Vargas; Patricia J. Parker; Joel M. H. Teichman M.D.; Randolph D. Glickman; H. Stan McGuff; Ashley J. Welch

doi:10.1117/12.388046

13 June 2000 In-vitro Erbium:YAG laser lithotripsy

Kin Foong Chan, Gracie Vargas, Patricia J. Parker, Joel M. H. Teichman M.D., Randolph D. Glickman, H. Stan McGuff, Ashley J. Welch

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3914, Laser-Tissue Interaction XI: Photochemical, Photothermal, and Photomechanical; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.388046
Event: BiOS 2000 The International Symposium on Biomedical Optics, 2000, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The potential application of an Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser (Q_o equals 50 mJ/pulse; (tau) _p equals 275 microsecond(s) ; rep. rate equals 2, 10 Hz) with a sapphire delivery fiber for intracorporeal laser lithotripsy was explored. Preliminary measurements on calculus mass-loss and fragmentation efficiency were conducted and results were compared with that of Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy. Laser induced bubble and lithotripsy dynamics were investigated to assess the mechanism(s) involved in the fragmentation process. Results showed that the fragmentation efficiency (mass-loss/H_o - g.micrometers ²/J) in Er:YAG laser lithotripsy was about 2.4 times that of Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy (used: Q_o equals 500 mJ/pulse; (tau) _p equals 250 microsecond(s) ; rep. rate equals 10 Hz). Acoustic transients were found to have minimal effect during Er:YAG laser lithotripsy. Schlieren flash images suggested a predominantly photothermal mechanism due to direct laser energy absorption, which resulted in recrystallization and plume formation. These events indicated melting and chemical decomposition of the calculus composition. Another observation led to the possibility of a plasma-mediated photothermal mechanism. The 'Moses effect' facilitating pulsed mid-infrared laser delivery appeared more efficient for the Er:YAG laser than for the Ho:YAG laser. With the sapphire fiber, experimental results suggested the potential of an improved treatment modality by the Er:YAG laser for intracorporeal laser lithotripsy.

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Kin Foong Chan, Gracie Vargas, Patricia J. Parker, Joel M. H. Teichman M.D., Randolph D. Glickman, H. Stan McGuff, and Ashley J. Welch "In-vitro Erbium:YAG laser lithotripsy", Proc. SPIE 3914, Laser-Tissue Interaction XI: Photochemical, Photothermal, and Photomechanical, (13 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.388046

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