Laser Surgery: An Evolution in Healthcare Technology

Say the word ‘laser’ and you probably picture a thin, red beam of light, shooting off into space. In reality, lasers are a part of many of the products we use on an everyday basis, from barcode scanners to fibre-optic communication (the internet).

The invention of the laser also facilitated rapid improvements in the medical field. Lasers enable clinicians to operate on patients in a non-invasive manner, providing improved access to diminutive and complex body systems.

Paragon Care’s portfolio of medical and surgical supplies is comprehensive and includes high-end laser products that can be used to treat a variety of patient conditions.

A history of lasers in medicine

To understand how lasers came to be used in medicine, we need to take a little trip back to the early 20th century. A theoretical physicist by the name of Max Planck made many contributions to the field of science, but his primary discovery — earning him a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918 — was that of quantum action.

Planck’s work revolutionised the way we think about matter and energy at a subatomic level. Combined with Albert Einstein’s theories — including that light travelled in wave-like patterns — Planck’s findings lead directly to the invention of the modern laser.

The world’s first functioning laser was built in 1960. The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, which additionally can be used to explain how a laser works. Billions of light particles, known as photons, are emitted into a precise beam of light that is concentrated on one particular spot.

Lasers are now used in a variety of situations, everything from astronomy to medicine. In a healthcare setting, clinicians rely on lasers to both diagnose and treat a patient. Broadly speaking, they are favoured as they tend to be far less invasive than traditional methods of patient care. When used correctly, laser surgery results in decreased blood loss, reduced risk of infection, and improved wound healing.

Lasers can be used in general surgery, such as to remove a tumour. They are also commonly used to operate on the eye, a procedure that requires extreme position. Many people are now also turning to laser surgery to assist with cosmetic concerns, including tattoo and hair removal.

Paragon Care’s laser portfolio

Amongst Paragon Care’s extensive portfolio of medical and surgical supplies are several capital laser products.

As a leading provider of medical equipment and consumables, we are expertly placed to provide our customers with solutions. Our large number of partner brands enable us to look both small and big picture, working as a larger business while providing practical assistance across all speciality areas.

One of these areas is urology — a speciality that makes frequent use of lasers for a variety of purposes. The urological system is complex and clinicians require a steady hand combined with specialist technology when treating patients, be they suffering from prostate cancer or a bladder infection.

For example, lasers are often used to break down kidney stones using a device known as a lithotripter. A lithotripter breaks apart large stones that form painful blockages in the urinary tract. The stones are then either naturally passed or removed by a surgeon.

Surgery solutions provided by Paragon Care

Urologists do not only rely on lasers to diagnose and treat patients. They, and other specialist clinicians, require access to a wide range of innovative, quality medical and surgical supplies.

Paragon Care has a long and established history of providing our customers with top-of-the-line medical and surgical supplies. Whether you are looking for an ultrasound or a normothermia system, Paragon Care has the capital equipment for you.

Medical & Surgical Supplies