Ablation efficiency and laser safety of a novel superpulsed thulium fiber laser: a in vitro study

To assess the ablation efficiency of the Superpulsed Thulium Fiber Laser (SP-TFL) and investigate the thermal effects of SP-TFL.

A SP-TFLwas employed to evaluate ablation efficiency. Fresh ex-vivo pig kidneys and ureters were utilized to evaluate the renal pelvis and ureter temperature changes, different irrigation rates(0, 15, 38mL/min) and a long pulse width were used.

The research indicated that as laser output power increased, ablation rates significantly increased. Ablation rates(mg/min) were higher and the energy per ablated mass(J/mg) was lower at lower frequencies(10–50 Hz). Under the same frequency and single pulse energy, super short and short pulse widths demonstrated higher ablation rates at higher frequencies (exceeding 100 Hz). The temperature of the renal pelvis and ureter decreased with increasing irrigation rates. In the renal pelvis, without irrigation, the temperature quickly reached the critical threshold of 43℃. The irrigation rate was 15 ml/min and power was no more than 18 W, the renal pelvis temperature did not reach 43℃. When the irrigation rate were 38 ml/min, the temperature did not risen to 43℃. In the ureter, without irrigation, the temperature also quickly reached 43℃. The temperature reached 43℃ when the power exceeded to12W with an irrigation rate of 15 ml/min. With an irrigation rate of 38 ml/min, the temperature reached 43℃ at a laser power of 30 W.

The SP-TFL demonstrated promising ablation effectiveness especially for lower frequencies and super short and short pulse widths model. Proper irrigation rates, single pulse energy, frequency and pulse width are crucial during lithotripsy.