Medical Lasers Market: Definition, Types, And Applications

By Author: Swati Sharma
Total Articles: 13
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What Are Medical Lasers?

Medical devices that make use of focused light sources for treating or removing tissues are referred to medical lasers. Laser light has a specific wavelength, and it is focused in a narrow beam, which leads to the creation of a very-high-intensity light. Since these devices can focus on tiny areas in an accurate manner, they are used for surgical work or for cutting through the tissue.

Medical lasers are highly beneficial, as they allow surgeons to achieve complex tasks, reduce blood loss, decrease postoperative discomfort, reduce the chances of infection in the wound, and achieve better wound healing. In order for things to go right, a certain level of professional training is needed, but in any case, surgeries can be risky, and the same is true for laser surgery. Non-ionizing radiation is used during laser surgery, which means it does not pose the long-term risks associated with types of ionizing radiation.

Types of Laser Systems

The four types of lasers that are used for medical applications are dye laser systems, gas laser systems, diode laser systems, and solid-state ...
... laser systems. Out of all these, the demand for solid-state lasers has been considerably high across the globe. The gain medium is a solid in solid-state lasers. The different types of solid-state lasers are:

• Alexandrite
• Ruby
• Potassium–titanyl phosphate
• Neodymium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG)
• Holmium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG)
• Erbium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG)

Nd:YAG systems are used in a number of applications in the medical industry, including the treatment of peripheral iridotomy, diabetic retinopathy, posterior capsular opacification, and acute angle-closure glaucoma, surgical iridectomy, and dental surgeries.

Applications of Medical Lasers

The key application areas of medical lasers are ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, dentistry, gynecology, and urology. The use of lasers in dermatology applications has increased rapidly since the past few years, primarily for pigment treatment, skin resurfacing, and hair removal.

The increasing number of aesthetic procedures across the globe has been the major reason for the increasing demand for lasers. People these days have become increasingly conscious regarding their physical appearance and are trying to find ways to enhance their aesthetic image. Now that aesthetic surgeries have become safer and cheaper, a lot of people are opting for them to look better. As per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2019, 18.1 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the U.S.

Additionally, the medical tourism industry has expanded in the past few years. People from developed countries are increasingly traveling to developing countries for medical treatment, since services are cost-effective in emerging economies.

Other than this, the demand for medical lasers is also projected to rise for dentistry applications in the years to come. The major reasons for this are the increasing prevalence of periodontal diseases and rising number of tooth loss and dental caries across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the worldwide oral disease incidence at 3.5 billion people.

Advanced Healthcare Infrastructure Driving Demand for Medical Lasers in North America

The adoption of medical lasers has been the highest in North America since the past few years. The presence of major companies, well-established reimbursement policies, growing demand for surgical procedures, and increasing prevalence of skin diseases and chronic diseases in the region are leading to the high demand for medical lasers.
Demand for Laser Treatments Rising in Asia-Pacific (APAC) due to Increasing Disposable Income

The healthcare infrastructure in the APAC region is witnessing improvements, which is why the adoption of advanced medical devices, including medical lasers, is growing here. Moreover, the increasing healthcare expenditure, expanding medical tourism sector, and rising awareness regarding technologically advanced laser treatments are predicted to drive the demand for medical lasers in APAC in the coming years. For instance, as per ISAPS, out of the 895,896 aesthetic procedures performed in India in 2018, 505,103 were non-surgical laser procedures.

Conclusion

Medical lasers have now become an important part of the medical industry, being used in a number of applications. Surgical procedures have majorly become easier because of the increasing use of medical lasers. The rising prevalence of skin diseases and cancer, growing medical tourism industry, and increasing demand for aesthetic procedures are leading to the high demand for medical lasers around the world.

Source: P&S Intelligence