The lasers for TMLR application

Abstract

The paper presents the analysis of the requirements to the laser systems used to cure the ischemic disease of the heart by the method of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR). Among the medical laser systems under discussion (solid-state Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, Ho:YAG, excimer lasers, etc.) the high-power CO2 laser with pulse energy to 40 J is most suited to produce channels in the heart muscle. The paper provides the description and the technical characteristics of medical laser systems of “Perfocor” series, based on high-power waveguide CO2 lasers with pulse energy to 60 J, developed at ILIT RAS. The methods to determine the time of laser radiation penetration through the myocardium/blood boundary have been briefly discussed. The application of the “Perfocor” system in other laser operations on blood-filled organs has also been discussed.