Patent ID: 7108693
Filing Date: 2006-09-19
Classification: A61B,B23K,H01S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for imparting disruptive forces onto a target surface, comprising: (a) an atomizer configured to place water comprising atomized fluid particles into a volume above the target surface; and (b) an excitation source comprising one of an Er:YAG, an Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser, which is configured to direct electromagnetic energy into the volume in close proximity to the target surface, wherein the excitation source outputs the electromagnetic energy in a form of a plurality of output pulses having a plurality of high-intensity leading micropulses that impart relatively large amounts of energy into the atomized fluid particles in the volume, the relatively large amounts of energy imparted into the fluid being sufficient to cause the atomized fluid particles to expand and impart disruptive cutting or ablating forces onto the target surface.