INNOVATIVE LASER SUPPORTS CONTACT AND LATERAL (SIDE) FIRE FIBERS FOR VAPORIZATION AS WELL AS END FIRE FIBERS FOR ENUCLEATION
Surgical Lasers Inc. (SLI), a pioneer in innovative laser technologies with an emphasis on continuous improvement initiatives for legacy systems, announced today the availability of three (3) unique consumable fibers, for its new Pathfinder portable diode laser for BPH treatments. This announcement follows the successful launch of the Pathfinder earlier this year.
A clinically proven alternative for the treatment of enlarged prostates, various laser technologies are being used globally with a variety of optical fibers. These include contact fibers and lateral (side) fire fibers for vaporization and end fire fibers for enucleation. The new Pathfinder laser is the only portable laser currently available on the market which supports all three fiber types, hence can be used for either vaporization or enucleation at the discretion of the surgeon. This enhanced functionality differentiates this unique multidisciplinary laser platform from competitive systems which are limited to working with a single fiber technology.
The ability to enucleate with this innovative device also provides a safe, effective and practical alternative to Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HOLEP), performed with high energy holmium lasers, which are typically much larger, and require 220/240v power. By comparison, the Pathfinder diode laser is a portable device (<30kg) which runs on standard 115V power. Over and above the practical advantages of implementing the portable diode laser for enucleation, its enhanced ability to coagulate may improve the efficiency of the procedures by improving visibility.
An integral component of any laser surgery with a fiber based system is the consumable or reusable optical fiber and the availability of all three fibers means urologists can realize the benefits of the new Pathfinder portable diode laser for either laser vaporization or enucleation of the prostate. Clinical and operational advantages of this innovative device include efficient and effective vaporization with durable coagulation and, in consideration of the technique, and at the discretion of the surgeon, it is possible to perform procedures in the operating room, surgical center and private office under either local or general anesthetic.