Describe the most common types of lasers used in medical practice

Describe the most common types of lasers used in medical practice.

Several types of lasers are used in medical practice. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser is most commonly employed for laryngoscopy. It has a long-wavelength light that is totally absorbed by cell water in the first few cell layers traversed. CO₂ lasers result in accurate explosive vaporization with minimal peripheral damage. Since the CO₂ laser beam is invisible it needs a marker, which is composed of a helium-neon aiming beam.

Near-infrared laser light from the Nd-YAG laser is used for coagulation of hemorrhagic lesions, such as necrotic respiratory tumors and gastrointestinal tract varices. It creates more thermocoagulation and less vaporization.

Shorter-wavelength lasers of the ruby or argon types are absorbed primarily by pigmented structures such as hemoglobin or darkly pigmented cells.