The Development of Laser Technology in the Medical Industry (Part 1)

Laser technology, known for its high flexibility, sustainability, productivity, and precision, has been widely adopted and successfully applied across various industries, including manufacturing, chemical production, automotive, and, most notably, healthcare. With its accuracy and precision, laser technology enables doctors and surgeons to perform complex procedures while allowing manufacturers to design innovative medical devices.

From laser eye surgery to the production of advanced medical devices and prosthetics, laser technology helps hospitals, doctors, surgeons, consultants, and nurses provide medical services more efficiently and effectively. In the pharmaceutical sector, lasers allow manufacturers to mark or engrave information on products without causing visible damage, helping hospitals and surgical centers combat counterfeit drugs.

Part 1: Creating Innovative Medical Devices

In the past, producing intricate medical instruments was challenging and expensive due to the lack of advanced technology. However, the emergence of laser technology has enabled medical professionals to access innovative, specialized equipment and solutions. A prime example is prosthetics. Thanks to laser 3D printing, the cost of prosthetic production has decreased significantly while manufacturing speed has improved dramatically.

The feasibility of these complex medical devices is attributed not only to the precision and accuracy of laser technology but also to the contaminant-free manufacturing process it offers (UV lasers do not leave raised marks or alter material surfaces). Similarly, laser technology assists doctors in daily medical practices, including cancer diagnosis, tumor removal, and tissue cutting. Lasers can be adjusted to cut through most materials used in surgery or medical devices without requiring special treatments.

Additionally, this technology allows manufacturers to increase production capacity, meeting the growing (and evolving) demands of hospitals and private healthcare providers. Ultimately, laser technology empowers medical solution manufacturers to be more innovative in design while achieving efficient mass production.

Part 2: Safety, Identification, and Anti-Counterfeiting

Beyond manufacturing new devices, laser technology enables medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies to safely mark and engrave information on products without altering or damaging material surfaces. These markings are highly resistant to tampering, acid, detergents, and other liquids.

Moreover, if UV laser technology is used, markings are embedded below the material surface, meaning there are no raised edges, reducing the risk of infections. This ensures that any medical device or packaging marked with a laser is sterile, making it suitable for medical use. For example, stainless steel medical implants require sterile, durable markings to prevent contamination inside the patient’s body.

In addition to ensuring product security, these markings play a crucial role in product identification and anti-counterfeiting. Every medical product must have a Unique Device Identification (UDI) to facilitate traceability. Scanning the UDI provides details such as the manufacturer's name, item number, and expiration date (especially for pharmaceuticals).

This process guarantees accurate documentation, ensuring patient safety and preventing counterfeit products. Additionally, laser technology enables the engraving of 2D Data Matrix Codes (DMC), serial numbers, batch numbers, barcodes, QR codes, and even graphical symbols.

Part 3: Expanding into Other Medical Fields

Laser technology inflicts less trauma than traditional surgical methods. It is faster, more efficient, and most importantly, it can reduce postoperative discomfort and the risk of infection. Consequently, an increasing number of surgeons are incorporating this technology into a variety of procedures, including:

• Cosmetic Surgery: For example, skin-tightening procedures that address fine lines and wrinkles, precancerous lesions, acne, and scars typically employ ablative lasers such as CO? lasers. CO? lasers are also used to remove warts and skin tags, as well as to cut skin during laser-assisted surgeries.
• Refractive Ophthalmic Surgery: These procedures generally use specialized excimer lasers (sometimes also referred to as “Exciplex lasers”), which are ultraviolet lasers that emit a cold beam to gently reshape the cornea, thereby treating common vision issues such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
• Dental Treatments: Dentists frequently use lasers for treating cavities, gum diseases, lesion removal, and teeth whitening, among other procedures. In dental surgeries, lasers enable precise cutting or vaporization of the tissues they contact. When used in teeth whitening procedures, lasers act as a heat source to enhance the effectiveness of bleaching agents. The most commonly used lasers in dentistry are YAG, diode, and CO? lasers, each with specific applications; for instance, “hard” lasers (YAG and CO?) can be utilized for both hard and soft tissues.

To be continued…