The medical lasers of yesterday, of today and tomorrow

Abstract

On May 16, 1960, Theodore H. Maiman operated the
first functioning laser. Almost immediately lasers were
evaluated for medical applications. The ruby laser was
used in 1961 by Campbell in ophthalmology by Leon
Goldman in 1963 in Dermatology. Since then, they have
become ubiquitous, finding utility in thousands of highly
varied applications in every section of modern society.
Now, numerous medical areas employ lasers for treatment.
The very low efficiency, limited power and poor reliability
of the first generation of gas lasers are now replaced by
diode laser, fiber laser, DPSSL. Medical lasers are now
smaller, more efficient, reliable and less expensive. If there
has been a technological change (electro-optical industry
to semi-conductor industry), this economic sector is still
struggling to reform its organization. Indeed, medical
lasers are still “technology-driven”. Eventually, the medical
laser industry should be integrated by large medical
groups and will be part of a set of technologies and
skills organized for a better safety, productivity, customer
service, education, etc... Indeed, the continued advances in
medical technology involve a challenge to the
autonomous development of technology and medical
qualifications.