Stone ablation rates of a concept 100W pulse-modulated Holmium:YAG laser

Abstract

Holmium:YAG laser has been the lithotrite of choice for around 30 years in kidney stone surgery. Lasers have evolved over the years to offer higher power, increased pulse frequencies and longer pulse durations. The drivers for change have been to improve stone ablation and to minimise retropulsion. We report on a new prototype Holmium laser that fires multiple “micro-pulses” in “pulse packets” and discuss the stone phantom ablation rate results utilizing a bench model. The prototype laser demonstrated impressive stone ablation rates in our bench testing across a range of power settings. We will discuss the details of these results supporting that pulse-modulation with packets of micro-pulses are a promising technological development. (Disclaimers: Bench Test results may not necessarily be indicative of clinical performance. The testing was performed by or on behalf of BSC.