A medical laser is a medical device that uses a precisely focused light source to treat or remove tissue. The term “laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Ordinary light, like an incandescent light bulb, has many wavelengths and spreads in all directions. On the other hand, laser light has a specific wavelength.
It is focused into a narrow beam and produces very high-intensity light. It is because lasers can be focused on small areas with great precision and can be used for precision surgical tasks and tissue cutting (instead of scalpels).
Procedures
Each laser is designed to emit a single wavelength of light that produces intense thermal energy to its intended target (hair, blood vessels, pigment/melanin, etc.). For this reason, not all lasers can treat the same conditions. Each has a specific and specialized purpose, but several lasers can treat a wide variety of skin problems because they use multiple wavelengths of light. It is best to consult an expert to find the right option.
When buying a medical laser for your business, going through a broker is not the only option. There are many reputable warehouses selling used medical lasers online. This will help you avoid the hassle of dealing with brokers and save money by not paying brokers’ fees. Lasers can be applied in several medical procedures, such as:
- Refractive surgery (reshaping the cornea to correct or improve vision)
- Cosmetic surgery (to remove scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, tattoos, bruises, sunburns, spider veins, or hair)
- General surgery (such as tumor removal, cataract removal, breast surgery, plastic surgery, and most other surgical procedures)
- Dental procedures (e.g., endodontic/periodontal procedures, tooth whitening, and oral surgery)
Laser Modes
There are several laser operation modes available:
Continuous Mode (CW)
Continuous pumping of energy into the laser medium keeps the population inversion stable and thus achieves stable emission, resulting in a continuous wave laser.
Chopped Mode
CW lasers can have shutter-interrupted power that produces artificially short laser pulses (typically 100–500 ms) at the same maximum power level as CW mode. The duration of the laser beam when the laser is in use is called the duty cycle or DC.
Pulsed Mode
Intermittent pumping in a gaseous medium produces pulsed lasers, often with higher peak power than CW mode. The Q-switched laser uses a fast shutter in a resonant (reflecting) cavity to generate huge laser pulses (high-power flashes) that quickly release the stored energy at high peak intensities.
Common Medical Effects
Laser-tissue interactions are classified based on the light beam’s energy increase. A small amount of energy is used for imaging and heating purposes. The common laser processes on biological tissue include:
Heating
The heating of tissue can be used to induce photocoagulation. Biomolecules such as proteins and enzymes are heated above 50°C and below 100°C. It causes denaturation and coagulation. Factors to consider in this application are the rate at which energy is transferred and the thermal conductivity of the surrounding tissue surrounding the area of effect. Using a laser in pulsed mode with appropriate energy selection can control the propagation of the energy emitted by the laser to the surrounding tissue.
Cutting
Tissue cutting is a photoablation process that heats tissue to temperatures above 100°C. Photoablation is used to create an incision in tissue. Certain biomolecules evaporate, turning water into water vapor. Therefore, a fume hood removes the vaporized tissue volume, and pulsed lasers are the most common for this purpose, as the cut must be precise. It also controls the energy delivered to the surrounding tissue. A commercial example of this method is the pulsed excimer laser in ophthalmology.
Benefits of Lasers
Class IV medical lasers emit different wavelengths of light (visible and invisible) to treat different conditions. They are the most powerful type of laser used in medicine and can cause damage to the skin and eyes if used incorrectly. Class IV medical lasers can be legally operated if they are licensed. Physicians, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, or Licensed Nurses Only. Some of the benefits of using lasers include:
- Proper lasers allow surgeons to perform more complex tasks, reduce blood loss, reduce postoperative discomfort, reduce the risk of wound infection, and improve wound healing.
- Because laser treatments use non-ionizing radiation, it does not have the same long-term risks as x-rays and other types of ionizing radiation.
However, as with any surgery, laser surgery carries potential risks. Risks of laser surgery include scarring, infection, incomplete treatment of the problem, bleeding, pain, and skin color changes.
If you are interested in laser treatment, it is best to consult with a qualified and experienced medical expert before undergoing any laser procedures. Also, make several appointments to see the results.