SUPERPULSED THULIUM FIBER LASER: THE ULTIMATE LASER FOR LITHOTRIPSY?

The SuperPulsed Thulium fiber laser has recently become available to the urologist. It can be safely and efficiently applied to humans for the purposes of laser lithotripsy. Particularly, this innovative technology overcomes the main limitations of Holmium:YAG lasers, which had been the principal source of energy for lithotripsy over the post decades. The SuperPulsed Thulium fiber laser allows a broader range of pulse energy (0.025 to 6.01), pulse frequency (up to 2000 Hz) and pulse duration (0.05 to 12 ms), as well as smaller operating laser fibers (50-150 mu m core), compared to Holmium:YAG lasers. The laser emission at 1940 nm leads to a four-fold higher energy absorption in water, which ensures precise lithotripsy and a high degree of safety. Multiple comparative in vitro studies suggest a 1.5 to 4 times faster stone ablation rate in favor of the SuperPulsed Thulium fiber laser, when compared to Holmium:YAG lasers. It has also been shown to generate particularly fine stone dust, and electronic pulse modulation allows superior stone stabilization. The SuperPulsed Thulium fiber laser, like the Holmium:YAG laser, has been repeatedly reported thermodynamically safe, provided that a minimal irrigation flow (10-15 ml/min) and relatively low average power (<= 25 W) is maintaining throughout the lithotripsy process. These new standards are particularly advantageous for fine and rapid ureteroscopic stone dusting, and open paths that were not been amenable to the Holmium:YAG laser.