Spectral characteristics of fragmentation of kidney stones by microsecond laser radiation

A study of the action of single microsecond laser pulses on kidney stones revealed a strong spectral dependence of the efficiency K of mass removal. This should be taken into account in the development of apparatus for laser lithotripsy. An increase in the energy of the laser pulses acting on a stone resulted in saturation of K when a certain energy, specific to each wavelength, was exceeded. The radiation energy should be less than the saturation threshold in order to reduce the effects on the surrounding tissues.