Patent ID: 7957440

Claim:
A method of generating dual pulse outputs for an electromagnetic energy output device, the method comprising: providing a first high voltage output from a power supply, the first high voltage output being capable of driving, with a first potential, a first pulse-forming network that is configured to generate a first pulse output having a first duration; providing a second high voltage output from the power supply, the second high voltage output being capable of driving, with a second potential smaller than the first potential, a pulse-forming network that is configured differently to generate responsive to an input a second pulse output having one or more of a greater duration and lower-power relative to a pulse output generated by the first-pulse forming network; providing a laser-pumping source capable of being pumped by at least one of the first pulse output from the first pulse-forming network and the second pulse output from the second pulse-forming network, whereby (a) the first high voltage output is greater than the second high voltage output, (b) the first pulse-forming network comprises a capacitance that is less than a corresponding capacitance of the second pulse forming network, (c) the first pulse-forming network comprises an inductance that is greater than a corresponding inductance of the second pulse-forming network, (d) a laser pulse having a first duration results by pumping the laser-pumping source with the first pulse output, (e) a laser pulse having a second duration results by pumping the laser-pumping source with the second pulse output; and outputting laser pulses of the first and second different durations and fluid to a tissue to obtain, respectively, first and second different cutting effects; whereby the amount of fluid is varied with the first and second durations to obtain the different first and second cutting effects.