Holmium lasers are a type of medical laser that utilizes holmium-doped crystals as the gain medium. The term holmium laser is often associated with a specific type of laser used in urology for various medical procedures, particularly in the treatment of urinary tract stones.
Here are some key points about holmium lasers:
Wavelength: Holmium lasers typically emit light at a wavelength of around 2.1 micrometers, which is highly absorbed by water. This makes them effective for procedures involving tissues with high water content, such as those in the urinary tract.
Medical applications: Holmium lasers are commonly used for lithotripsy, a procedure to break down or fragment urinary stones, making them easier to pass or eliminate. The laser's precise energy delivery allows for targeted treatment of stones while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Holmium YAG (Ho:YAG) lasers: The most common type of holmium laser used in medical applications is the holmium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser. The holmium-doped YAG crystal is excited by a flashlamp, leading to the emission of laser light.
Other medical uses: In addition to lithotripsy, holmium lasers have found applications in other medical procedures, such as soft tissue surgery, including the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Advantages: Holmium lasers offer several advantages, including high precision, minimal damage to surrounding tissues, and the ability to be delivered through flexible fibers, making them suitable for endoscopic procedures.