CO2 Laser Surgery Technology

Overview

This page summarizes the many technologies integrated into LightScalpel products and services that contribute to the highest quality CO2 laser surgery.

LightScalpel technology has its roots in Luxar Technology, introduced in 1991 to doctors and dentists as the first-ever soft-tissue surgical CO2 laser, designed specifically for a small office environment. LightScalpel further advances the flexible fiber, all-metal tube, and surgical CO2 laser through a variety of breakthrough improvements in handpieces, laser pulsing, system integration, and system serviceability technologies summarized below.

CO2 Surgical Laser Technology

Wavelength Technology

The CO2 laser wavelength of 10.6 micrometers is well suited for soft-tissue laser surgery due to its strong absorption in soft tissue for both cutting/ablation and coagulation/hemostasis at the cut margins.1

By contrast, diode laser wavelengths of 800–1,100 nm are poorly absorbed by soft tissue — approximately 1,000 times less than the CO2 laser wavelength. Diodes function as thermal devices: the hot glass tip acts more like an electrocautery device than a photo-ablative laser.1,2

The Erbium wavelength’s absorption depth in soft tissue is roughly 10 times shorter, which favors cutting but limits coagulation and hemostasis.1

Soft-Tissue Laser Wavelength Comparison
PropertyCO2 (LightScalpel)DiodeErbium (Er:YAG, Er,Cr:YSGG)
Wavelength10,600 nm800–1,100 nm2,780-2,940 nm
Soft-tissue absorptionStrong1~1,000× weaker than CO21Absorption depth ~10× shorter than CO21
Cutting / ablationPhoto-ablativeThermal only — hot glass tip, comparable to electrocautery2Photo-ablative1
Coagulation / hemostasisAchieved at the margins of the cut1,3Thermal spread into surrounding tissue2Poor1

Handpiece and Beam Delivery Technologies

LightScalpel flexible, lightweight, and durable fiber waveguides are superior to bulky articulated arms.

LightScalpel fibers and pen-like handpieces assure a scalpel-like, natural feel that is highly valued by surgeons across all specialties. The LightScalpel laser allows for easy distal-end (laser beam) calibration of flexible fibers – such distal-end calibration is simply impossible with articulated-arm lasers.

Laser Tube Technology

LightScalpel metal CO2 -laser tubeThe following are LightScalpel product specifications.

LightScalpel CO2 all-metal laser tubes are superior to the antiquated glass tube technology (fragile glass, high voltages, liquid cooling).

Our all-metal laser tubes maintain their performance for up to 45,000 hrs (7+ years), making LightScalpel CO2 laser surgery more profitable for the clinician. All-metal laser tubes are inexpensively rechargeable, capable of handling up to 40 g of shocks and vibrations, and easily pulsed and cooled under the heaviest operating conditions. Our all-metal tube technology is similar to the durable, long-lasting, and rugged CO2 laser tubes used in military and industrial applications.

Laser System Integration

The following are LightScalpel product specifications.

LightScalpel’s use of the all-metal laser tube, low-voltage (32-volt) power supplies, and durable fiber beam delivery system is a winning combination best suited for a busy surgical suite: compact, lightweight, and long-lasting.

In contrast, competitors’ articulated-arm lasers with glass-tube technology are heavy, bulky, and incur higher maintenance costs.

Laser Tube and Beam Delivery

PropertyLightScalpel CO2 laserConventional CO2 laser alternative
Laser tubeAll-metalGlass
Rated tube lifeUp to 45,000 hours (7+ years)Not specified
Shock / vibration toleranceUp to 40 gFragile
Power supplyLow voltage (32 V)High voltage
CoolingAirLiquid
Tube servicingRechargeableNot specified
Beam deliveryFlexible fiber waveguide, pen-style handpieceArticulated arm
Distal-end calibrationSupportedNot possible
premium laser best cosmetic laser
co2 laser surgery
The Best CO2 Laser Technology All Around

Across absorption efficiency, hemostasis, and beam delivery, the 10.6 micrometer SuperPulse CO2 wavelength offers measurable advantages over diode hot-tip devices and Er:YAG lasers for soft-tissue oral surgery, and flexible fiber delivery offers practical advantages over articulated-arm systems. The peer-reviewed basis for these comparisons is cited below.1–3

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    References
    1. Vitruk P: Oral soft tissue laser ablative and coagulative efficiencies spectra, Implant Pract US 7(6):19-27, 2014.
    2. Vitruk P, Levine R: Hemostasis and coagulation with ablative soft-tissue dental lasers and hot-tip devices, Inside Dent 12(8):37-42, 2016.
    3. Levine R, Vitruk P: Enhanced hemostasis and improved healing in CO2 laser-assisted soft tissue oral surgeries, Implant Pract US 8(3):34-37, 2015.
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