AN EVOLUTION IN HOLMIUM LASER ENGINEERING OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE AND CONTROL

Surgical Lasers Inc. (SLI) further solidified its mission of introducing innovative, practical, clinically effective yet minimally invasive laser technology to the market, with the official launch of the new HYPHO holmium laser technology at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2017 Annual Meeting in Boston, MA.  Proprietary engineering differentiates this compact technological innovation which delivers control and performance specifications consistent with much larger, higher power devices requiring 220/240 VAC power.

The addition of the new HYPHO holmium laser to the SLI product family is consistent with a corporate commitment to continuous improvement initiatives with a focus on introducing the market to practical alternatives to existing legacy systems.  Technological breakthroughs from the HYPHO’s intelligent engineering optimize both performance and control.

The HYPHO is an affordable, compact (<53kg) holmium laser which runs on 115V power and redefines the performance capabilities of a compact holmium laser with the highest output energy (joules) of any holmium laser in its class.  Furthermore, the HYPHO delivers the longest pulse duration of any holmium laser on the market today, which maximizes control and minimizes retropulsion and inadvertent stone migration, of particular importance when working on calculi in the kidney and upper ureter.[1]

The unparalleled (industry’s longest) pulse duration of the new HYPHO laser is also indicated to facilitate the more controlled process of stone ablation referred to as ‘dusting’, with longer pulse durations producing a greater photo-thermal effect on the target tissue.[2]  Also referred to as ‘long fragmentation’, combinations of long pulse duration and variable frequencies facilitates the ability to ablate or ‘dust’ away smaller particles from the perimeter of calculi in the absence of mobility, a key differentiator of this technology vs. other compact < 35 watt holmium lasers.

Traditionally facilitated with higher powered (220/240V) holmium lasers requiring higher frequencies, the ability to deliver similar performance using this innovative compact, 115V, 35 watt laser provides the market with a credible, viable alternative for the most current laser lithotripsy techniques.

Finally, longer pulse durations provide further benefit in improving coagulation in holmium laser soft tissue surgery and maintaining the integrity of the fiber(s), further enhancing performance and protecting the investment in consumables.  The HYPHO holmium laser works with various SLI manufactured fiber sizes ranging from 200 – 1000µm.

In parallel with the US launch of the HYPHO, SLI looks forward to the feedback from scheduled upcoming product evaluations with leading international experts and opinion leaders experienced in the latest innovations in high-performance holmium laser systems for fragmentation as well as stone dusting.

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[1] _{Impact of pulse duration on Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy: fragmentation and dusting performance}

_{Markus J. Bader · Thomas Pongratz · Wael Khoder · Christian G. Stief · Thomas Herrmann · Udo Nagele · Ronald Sroka  Received: World J Urol (2015) 33:471–477 DOI 10.1007/s00345-014-1429-8 19 July 2014 / Accepted: 19 October 2014 / Published online: 4 November 2014 © The Author(s) 2014. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com}

[2] _{Chan KF, Vassar GJ, Pfefer TJ, Teichman JM, Glickman RD, Weintraub ST, et al. Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy: a dominant photothermal ablative mechanism with chemical decomposition of urinary calculi. Lasers Surg Med (1999) 25(1):22–37. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1999)25:1<22::AID-LSM4>3.3. CO;2-Y}

NEW VERSATILE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PORTABLE LASER FACILITATES SAFE AND EFFECTIVE OFFICE-BASED BPH TREATMENTS

Surgical Lasers Inc. (SLI), today announced the launch of a unique laser solution for office and surgical center/operating room based BPH surgery; the new Pathfinder, high energy, portable diode laser, and fibers.  As an alternative to other ‘minimally invasive’ office-based BPH treatments, this innovative technology offers a practical laser-based alternative that targets a similar treatment objective to the Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), recognized as the ‘gold standard’ for the surgical treatment of enlarged prostates.

Supported by decades of evidence-based clinical research, laser procedures are well established as a credible alternative for enlarged prostate surgery.  The limitation of performing the procedure in surgical suites and private offices has traditionally been the functionality of the devices (efficiency of vaporization and coagulation), the cost of the equipment, and consumable and established local anesthetic protocol(s).

The Pathfinder’s maximum available output power of 200 watts facilitates efficient and effective vaporization of the target tissue. This lasers unique wavelength of light sits at a harmonic absorption peak of both water and oxyhemoglobin, making it an ideal wavelength for effective rates of tissue ablation and simultaneously enhanced coagulation[1], hence its popularity across multiple medical disciplines for this purpose. Durable coagulation is the most significant differentiator between this laser and alternative lasers currently used for this procedure in operating rooms and surgery centers today.

From a practical perspective, this innovative device is portable (<30 kg), runs on 115V power, and is virtually maintenance-free with the exception of an annual calibration verification. It delivers the highest output power in its class and is the only portable laser on the market that supports, contact, and side fire fibers for vaporization as well as end-fire fibers for enucleation.  At the discretion of the surgeon, procedures can be performed in the operating room, surgical suite, and local office under either general or local anesthetic.  The system is multi-disciplinary (FDA 510K Clearances) and cost-effective, as are the fibers which are manufactured by SLI.

The fundamental differentiator of this innovative laser solution vs. other ‘minimally invasive’ office-based alternatives for BPH, is the ability to remove obstruction associated with lateral lobes, median lobes and high bladder necks without the requirement for implants or ongoing medications.  The high energy 980nm diode laser achieves excellent hemostasis while delivering immediate relief from obstructive voiding symptoms.[2]The portability, functionality, affordability, and alternative local anesthetic protocol, facilitates a practical office-based laser BPH alternative with measurable benefits for patients and clinicians alike.

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[1] _{Wendt-Nordahl G, Huckele S, Honeck P, et al, 980-nm diode laser: a novel laser technology for vaporization of the prostate. Eur Urol. 2007; 52: 1`723 – 1728.}

[2] _{Chien-Hsu Chen, Po Hu Chiang, Yao Chi Chuang, Wei Ching Lee, Yen Ta Chen, Wei Chai Lee, Prostate Diseases and Male Voiding Dysfunction, Preliminary Results in Prostate Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Using a 200 Watt High Intensity Diode Laser, J.Urology – 2009.09.033 ©2010 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.}