To select a proper laser for arthroscopic laser meniscotomy, we studied the menisci ablation rate and damaged layer thickness made by various laser irradiations. The pig knee-joint menisci were used as sample materials. We use eight different lasers from UV region to IR region, pulsed or cw: ArF, KrF, XeCl, XeF excimer lasers, Ar+ UV, Ar+ visible, CO and CO2 lasers. We irradiated these lasers on menisci at an input power density of 60J/cm2/sec.
The proper laser for the arthroscopic laser meniscotomy must indicate high ablation rate and thin damaged layer for menisci. Furthermore it can be delivered by flexible fibers. In this point of view, we concluded that the proper laser satisfying those requirements may be XeC1 excimer laser.
